Aston Villa are set to sign former England midfielder Joe Cole, pending the results of a medical.

The 32-year-old, who won 56 caps for England, is available on a free transfer after being released by West Ham in May.

Cole, who also played for Chelsea, Liverpool and on loan at Lille, is expected to agree a two-year contract.

Villa have also signed former Arsenal defender Phillip Senderos on a free transfer from Valencia this summer.

"Cole is a risk," BBC Radio's Pat Murphy said. "He's 32, with a lot of a miles on the clock in terms of problems with various injuries.

"But, at his best, he is a versatile midfielder player. He is adaptable, he can score spectacular goals and his CV is impressive.

"Manager Paul Lambert - himself no slouch as a midfielder player, good enough to play for Celtic in his mid-30s - knows what can be coaxed out of a midfielder's body in his mid-30s and he's very excited at signing Cole.

"Villa's midfield has been mundane, sluggish, and one-dimensional. At his best - and it's a major caveat - Cole could certainly make a difference."