Aston Villa have confirmed Habib Beye has left the Premier League club by mutual consent, paving the way for his move to Doncaster.

A statement read: "Aston Villa can confirm that defender Habib Beye has left by mutual agreement with the club."

Beye made 15 starts for Villa having arrived from Newcastle in August 2009.

The 34-year-old full-back had been on loan at Rovers until the end of the season and had impressed manager Dean Saunders enough to earn a permanent stay at the Keepmoat Stadium, with the deal set to go through before Saturday's clash with Reading.

"We are trying to keep him for 18 months and we are trying to do that soon," Saunders said.

"He is a top-class player and if we could get him to sign for us that would be great because he can play right-back, centre-back and left-back.

"He wants to stay, that's the main thing, so hopefully we can get around the figures."

The former Senegal international has featured nine times for Rovers following his November switch but is currently in the middle of a three-match ban following his red card at Bristol City a fortnight ago.