23.08.2005 - Baros completes £6million Villa switch

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Aston Villa have completed the signing of Milan Baros for an initial fee of £6million.

Baros has spent almost four years on Merseyside, but had slipped down the pecking order for a place in the Liverpool attack after failing to make the most of his position as first choice striker for much of last season, following the departure of both Heskey and Owen last summer.

The Czech international scored 13 times during the season, though just twice in 24 appearances after Christmas.

Valencia, Deportivo La Coruna, Everton and West Ham were among other clubs interested, though Lyon, now managed by Gerard Houllier who originally brought Baros to Anfield, were the only other club to place a firm bid for the player.

Even without the possibility of European football this season, Baros opted to join remain in the Premiership, and has signed a four year deal with the Midlands side.

Baros teams up with another Czech international, and former Anfield favourite Patrick Berger, who joined Villa from Portsmouth earlier in the summer.