Villa clearout continues as Dunne heads for Premier League rivals Stoke

Richard Dunne is set to leave Aston Villa for Barclays Premier League rivals Stoke City.

The transfer has been held up as the centre half recovers from groin surgery but is expected to be confirmed before the transfer window closes on August 31.

Villa are eager to trim the club’s wage bill and cash in on Dunne, who is almost 33 and in the final year of his contract.

Exit: Richard Dunne will join Stoke from Aston Villa

Tony Pulis is a fan of Dunne, whose physique would not be out of place among a bruising backline the Stoke manager is keen to overhaul.

Pulis will listen to offers for Ryan Shawcross if his bid to gazump Queens Park Rangers for Michael Dawson is successful but a move for Dunne is not affected by that.