Aston Villa’s out of favour midfielder Steve Stone is moving to First Division leaders Portsmouth on loan. Villa boss Graham Taylor told Stone at the end of last season that he would not stand in his way if a club came in with the right offer for his services.
The former Nottingham Forest star had vowed to regain his place in the first team, but the signing of right-sided midfielder Ulises de la Cruz from Hibernian in August placed him further down in Taylor’s plans. Stone’s loan period will last just over a month before he returns to Villa on 2 December.
Taylor has concentrated on bringing younger players into the first team, which has hit players like Stone and fellow veteran Alan Wright. Stone, who cost Villa £5m five years ago, will now link up with former team mate Paul Merson at Fratton Park.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
