Makoun aims to grab second chance

Cameroon international Jean Makoun is awaiting international clearance to prove his worth to new Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert.

Makoun hopes to get his work permit issue resolved as soon as possible, so he can join in pre-season training with the rest of his team-mates as he looks to make up for lost time at Villa Park. The 29-year-old joined the Midlands club in January 2011 for a fee in the region of £6.2m from Lyon while Gerard Houllier was in the Villa hotseat. However, his dream move to the Premier League quickly turned sour after a bright start as he was first sent-off against Blackpool before missing the end of that season when relatives were hurt in a road accident back home. By the time he returned to England for the following season, Alex McLeish had replaced Houllier as manager and the midfielder found himself surplus to requirements and he was shipped out on a year-long loan to Olympiakos. The Greek side had been planning to make his stay permanent after he helped them win the title but that now sees unlikely as they can't afford him. Makoun therefore will be frustrated by the hold-up, which is only described as minor, with his work permit as he is anxious to make the most of a new opportunity to impress under another new boss.