Aston Villa fail in bid to extend Robbie Keane's loan

Aston Villa today failed to extend the loan deal of Robbie Keane from LA Galaxy after the Major League Soccer side rebuffed their request to increase his stay.

The ex-Wolves striker's current deal expires after Villa's trip to Wigan on February 25 and he is due to return to the US to begin pre-season training with the Los Angeles club.

Galaxy begin their season proper on March 10 with a home game against Real Salt Lake but Villa were optimistic of striking an agreement with their counterparts across the Atlantic to allow Keane to feature in the claret and blues' trip to Blackburn seven days earlier.

However, the MLS side have today informed Villa they were not prepared to grant an extension to the deal so Keane will play against Manchester City this weekend before his last game at the DW Stadium.

Keane has been a revelation for Villa during is temporary switch having scored twice in a 3-2 win over former club Wolves at Molineux and also found the net in the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle last time out.

He has linked up well with former Tottenham strike partner Darren Bent, who has netted four goals in his past five games, and combined well with compatriot Stephen Ireland.

The 31-year-old Ireland international has become a popular figure in the dressing room and Villa hand looked to be strengthened by the fact Keane himself has expressed a desire to extend his at Villa Park stay for an extra game.

Inevitably there has been a clamour from fans for the club to investigate the possibility of signing Keane on a permanent basis but it is understood the player himself has no intention of a full-time return to the Premier League although refused to rule out another loan spell.

And McLeish hailed the impact that the experienced frontman had since his arrival last month which has cost Villa around £500,000 in wages and loan fees.

"Robbie has brought fantastic enthusiasm. All of my forwards have great qualities but they could all pick one or two things up from Robbie," said McLeish.

"His movement and his ability on the ball are top draw. I'd like to think some of the young ones in particular have been watching him and get some of his qualities in their lockers."