Dublin on verge of Villa deal

Coventry are likely to sanction the sale of Dion Dublin to Aston Villa this weekend but his planned replacement, Nathan Blake, has already slipped out of their grasp.

As Aston Villa stepped up their attempt to sign Dublin with another fax to Highfield Road, Coventry's chairman Bryan Richardson was suffering further frustration at Bolton's sale of Blake to Blackburn for £4.25 million.

Having just seen Dublin reject a £6.75 million move to Rovers, Richardson's plans were thwarted again as Blackburn swiftly tied up the Blake deal. For this, Richardson squarely blamed Bolton.

"We had a firm agreement with Bolton and it was not conditional on Dion going to Blackburn," he said. On Thursday, he said: "They said they were going to talk with Blake's agent - and straight away we knew what was going to happen."

Blake (26) signed a contract through to the summer of 2004 and left with the Blackburn squad for the game at Wimbledon, another club who have pursued the Wales striker.

"It took me only minutes to make my mind up," said Blake. "Everything about Blackburn impresses me - the club, the stadium, the facilities and the manager."

Villa's manager John Gregory said: "Two or three other clubs have also become interested in Dublin and now it is up to Coventry to make a decision."

But he has not budged from his original offer of £5.1 million, just above the figure that Dublin's agent insists gives the player the automatic right to speak to a potential buyer. It is understood that Blackburn's £6.75 million bid included sums payable on appearances.

Although the Coventry hierarchy is unhappy about selling Dublin to such a high-profile Midlands rival, Richardson may have little choice but to accept the Villa offer rather than keep a disaffected player. The Premiership leaders are Dublin's first choice.

Villa's goalkeeper Mark Bosnich has been cleared by an FA disciplinary commission of swearing at Everton supporters on the season's opening day.

Letters from Everton fans claiming Bosnich had done nothing wrong were produced as evidence.

Returning rebel Pierre van Hooijdonk rolled back into Nottingham yesterday refusing to say sorry for his three-month strike. And the Dutch striker's return to Forest looks set to be brief, as he remains on the City Ground transfer list.

Van Hooijdonk trained with the club's reserves yesterday - his first appearance in the city since helping Dave Bassett's side lift the English First Division title in May - before delivering a confident and relaxed performance at a news conference.

Sitting alongside club chief executive Phil Soar, van Hooijdonk said: "I had a meeting with the manager and the players this morning. The atmosphere was okay.

"I'm hoping that what we said will stay in the dressing room - I don't think it's important for other people to know.

"We spoke about the things that have happened and we both came to the conclusion that we have to get on with the future, and that is me playing for Forest and trying to be as successful as possible."

But van Hooijdonk, so forthright in recent weeks, seemed elusive when asked if he had said the word "sorry" to the players - most of whom did not want him to return.

"Is that relevant?" asked the Dutchman. When told yes, he added: "Why?"

Further probing prompted the reaction: "I've spoken to the players and I've spoken to the manager. Everything that's been discussed has stayed inside (the club)."

But as for apologising to the club's fans, van Hooijdonk - who confirmed he shook hands with Bassett after the manager had voiced doubts over whether he would be able to do so - was again unwilling to apologise.