Villa's Davies deal leads the way on transfer deadline day

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill finally got his man as he signed West Bromwich Albion defender Curtis Davies, seen here in 2005, on a season-long loan just hours before the transfer window shut on Friday.

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill finally got his man as he signed West Bromwich Albion defender Curtis Davies on a season-long loan just hours before the transfer window shut on Friday.

O'Neill has been tracking Davies for several months and was relieved to snap up the England Under-21 centre-back on the last day of transfer trading until January.

Davies has moved to Villa Park with a view to a permanent transfer and is likely to agree a 10-million-pound switch when his loan expires at the end of the season.

The 22-year-old is convinced O'Neill can help turn him into one of the best defenders in the Premier League.

He said: "The manager's record speaks for itself. During his career he has turned people like Emile Heskey, Robbie Savage and Muzzy Izzet into great players and hopefully he can turn me into a gem as well."

Villa also captured Togo midfielder Moustapha Salifou for an undisclosed fee from Swiss side FC Wil on a one-year contract.

Elsehwere, it was inevitable that Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp would be involved in a host of deals.

Redknapp signed Glen Johnson from Chelsea for an undisclosed fee after allowing Dejan Stefanovic to join Fulham and Gary O'Neil to move to Middlesbrough.

England right-back Johnson, who spent last season on loan at Fratton Park, agreed a four-year contract. The 23-year-old is believed to have cost Portsmouth around four million pounds, but they have recouped one million pounds of that by selling Stefanovic.

The Serbian defender has signed a two-year contract with Fulham and will complete his move subject to being granted a work permit.

Senegal midfielder Papa Bouba Diop headed the other way signing for Pompey from Fulham.

Middlesbrough agreed a five million pounds fee for O'Neil, who was on Teeside for medical.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate had already completed one signing on Friday. He landed Egypt midfielder Mohamed Shawky from African champions Al Ahly for 650,000 pounds.

Shawky, 25, agreed a three-year contract after impressing Southgate during a trial last week.

Southgate is also giving a trial to former Everton and Newcastle defender Alessandro Pistone. The Italian is a free agent so could be signed after the transfer window closes.

Middlesbrough's Jamaican international Jason Euell has joined Southampton on a free transfer. Euell signed a two-year contract with the Championship club.

Struggling Derby signed Scotland striker Kenny Miller from Celtic for an undisclosed fee.

Miller agreed a three-year contract with Billy Davies's side after the Rams had an offer, believed to be around three million pounds, accepted by the Scottish champions.

Manchester City striker Bernardo Corradi moved to Serie A side Parma on loan for the rest of the season. The 31-year-old striker, who joined City from Valencia in July last year, scored three times in 29 appearances for the Blues.

Liverpool added another youngster to their squad as Rafa Benitez signed French midfielder Damien Plessi from Lyon.

Glasgow Rangers signed Senegal midfielder Amdy Faye on a season-long loan from English Championship club Charlton.

Faye, 30, is eligible to play for Rangers in the Champions League, where the Scottish club will face Barcelona, Lyon and Stuttgart in the group stages.