Carson is believed to want more first-team action

Carson, 21, was at Charlton on a similar deal last season and has also been a target for Manchester City.

Villa host Liverpool on Saturday, but Carson is ineligible as the Reds will not allow him to make his debut against them in the game at Villa Park.

Carson is likely to make his debut for Villa in next weekend's Premier League game at Newcastle.

News conference: Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez

On Thursday Liverpool signed goalkeeper Charles Itandje from Lens, allowing Carson to move to Villa.

Carson, who is second choice to Pepe Reina at Anfield, will not be allowed to leave the club permanently but Reds boss Rafa Benitez is happy to loan him out for a second successive season to give him regular matches ahead of Euro 2008.

Benitez said: "We do not want to sell him, we are very happy with Scott. But he needs to play to keep up his England place."

606: DEBATE Carson was brilliant in a team that struggled last year and our defence will 'defend' him more as well AVFCR

Villa turned their attention to the England Under-21 international after Sunderland beat them to the signature of Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon on Wednesday.

Carson joined Liverpool from Leeds for �750,000 in January 2005 and was one of Charlton's more respectable performers last season when the Addicks were relegated last season.

He went to the Under-21 European Championship with England during the summer, where his side lost to Holland on penalties at the semi-final stage.