Aston Villa manager hopeful Martin Laursen will stay

Dec 26 2007 By Bill Howell

MARTIN O'Neill today revealed he believes that Martin Laursen would "ideally" want to stay at Villa Park.

The Danish international has been in inspired form for the club this season where he has been ever-present in the Premier League after recovering from career-saving knee surgery.

Laursen, who is out of contract at the end of the season and can speak to foreign clubs in the New Year, has been linked with rivals Tottenham and is sure to be courted by many of the bigger clubs in England such is his fine form.

But the Villa boss admitted that he thinks the former AC Milan ace wants to remain and sign a new deal after negotiations earlier this week.

"I met up with Martin's agents and spoke to them," he said. "There are ongoing talks at the moment and, in an ideal world, I think he'd like to stay if he could.

"But again, it's down to length of contract and terms being right - all those type of things.

"This is where players can exercise their right to choose. It's the one good thing among a number of crazy things that have happened over the last 15 to 20 years, players having their future in their hands towards the end of their contracts."

Despite his optimism, O'Neill is reluctant to have complete confidence that Laursen will sign his new deal.

He added: "Until players sign contracts, I wouldn't try to put any percentage on anything because I'd never be absolutely sure of what play-ers are thinking."

Meanwhile, O'Neill has revealed that squad players Moustapha Salifou and Curtis Davies are likely to get their chances over the festive programme.

"Players such as Salifou and Curtis Davies will come into my thinking because we've got a lot of games and we'll see about utilising the squad," he added.