Aston Villa have reportedly made a double swoop on Thursday, with Reading defender Nicky Shorey and Luke Young of Middlesbrough expected to sign for the Villans within 24 hours, according to reports.

Royals left-back Shorey is set to make a £4million switch to Villa Park, while Young will leave the Riverside Stadium for £5million. Both players are believed to have agreed personal terms with Villa, with the deals expected to go through when Villa manager Martin O’Neill returns from pre-season training in Spain.

27-year-old Shorey had been a target for Premier League rivals Sunderland and Portsmouth, but has opted to join the Midlands club, despite Reading also accepting an offer from the Black Cats for the England International.

Young only joined Boro from Charlton Athletic last summer for £2.5million, with Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate unwilling to let the right-back leave initially. However, Villa’s £5million offer was to good to turn down and he is set to start next season at Villa Park.

One player O’Neill looks destined to miss out on is Tottenham Hotspur defender Younes Kaboul, who is set for a move to either Sunderland or Pompey.