Champions League chasers Aston Villa are crossing their fingers on a favorable UK Home Office work permit for Chivas USA keeper Brad Guzan, who would then be allowed to complete a $4 million move to the Premiership.

Various news reports from England have the move as already being rejected, but at 5:00 pm GMT - or six hours from the transfer deadline - the club insisted no reply had been received. Villans press officer Claire Huggins would not reveal a length of contract proposed for the US international until approval had been given.
 
"We're hoping to know later in the day," she told American Soccer Daily. "The club director has been down in London regarding that matter, but we haven't heard any information yet."

Should Guzan joins the Birmingham outfit, the American starting keeper tally could soon rise in the Premiership - Blackburn's Brad Friedel, Everton's Tim Howard and Marcus Hahnemann of Reading are bonafide #1's with their club, while Kasey Keller earned the Fulham starting job, only to have an injury set him on the sideline for three months.

The 23-year old Illinois native is the reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year after posting 14 wins and 13 shutouts in 27 matches last season.

Aston Villa, who swooped in to double a Celtic offer for Guzan, stand fifth in the table ahead of Saturday's visit to Fulham.

UPDATE: Aston Villa received word on Thursday evening that the work permit appeal had failed, killing Guzan's deadline day move.

"We're very disappointed with the outcome as we were really looking forward to Brad joining us, but unfortunately it wasn't to be," Villa manager Martin O'Neill told the club website.

Said the netminder in a statement released by Chivas USA: "I have always appreciated the support of Chivas USA and its passionate fans, and shall continue wear the colors with pride as we strive for great things in MLS and beyond in 2008."