McLeish looked to have landed the services of N'Zogbia 12 months ago when in charge at Birmingham only for the deal to collapse at the 11th hour over personal terms. Then McLeish's bid to sign the former Newcastle player earlier this summer was halted when Wigan rejected a £9m bid from Villa. But it is understood the fee for the player has now been agreed between the two clubs although there is no official confirmation of the deal. N'Zogbia, who has a year left on his Wigan deal, is expected to hold talks over personal terms and undergo a medical in the next 24 hours once the deal has been agreed by the clubs. If that goes to plan, he will pen a five-year deal. McLeish has been keen to bring in a new wide player after the sale of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing to Manchester United and Liverpool respectively for a combined fee of around £36million. N'Zogbia fits the bill and his efforts during the tail end of last season played a major part in Wigan retaining their Barclays Premier League status, including a last-gasp winner against West Ham. He will be reunited with his former Newcastle team-mate Shay Given, who last week became McLeish's first signing of the summer in a £3.5m move from Manchester City. But the Frenchman is likely to have to wait to join up with Villa's first-team squad. They are currently on a pre-season tour of Hong Hong and N'Zogbia does not have the required work visa. He would instead train at Villa's Bodymoor Heath training complex if and when the deal is formally completed.
