Luke Moore's transfer hopes raised

Jan 16 2008 By Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

LUKE Moore's hopes of a move away from Villa will be given a sympathetic ear by Martin O'Neill.

But the Villa boss has again insisted he would prefer to keep the troubled striker on his books.

Moore is looking for a move after turning down a contract mid-way through a season in which he has struggled to make any kind of impact.

With Gabriel Agbonlahor blazing a trail, Moore has been left behind and his record of one league goal in 15 appearances this season - including eight starts - saw him fail to make the bench against Reading.

Steve Coppell, the Reading manager, has been linked with a move for Moore, who is just short of his 22nd birthday and has bagged 15 goals in 98 Villa appearances, 57 of which have come off the bench.

But O'Neill is unaware of their interest. "That is news to me," he said.

"As I have said before I would prefer to keep people here, if at all possible, because we don't have a massive squad.

"I can understand people maybe wanting to play but I'll treat every case on its merit.

"If there are things that I think are going to be suitable for us, and for the player to be fair, then I will try and do it.

"It really has to be a two-way thing."