Villa Face Charges Over Beattie Approach

"We received an official complaint from Southampton so we looked into the matter and took the decision to charge Aston Villa with making an alleged illegal approach for James Beattie," a Premier League spokesman has said.

"An independent commission has been appointed but no date has yet been set for a hearing."

Premier League rules state that a club cannot approach a player directly with a view to a move without his club's permission unless he is in the final six months of a contract and James Beattie did not fall into that category when Villa made their approach back in the summer.

Villa are denying the charges but if found guilty then they could face a warning, a hefty fine or even a points deduction.