Decision due over Olof Mellberg and Villa

Jan 28 2008 By Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

VILLA are set to make an announcement about the future of Olof Mellberg.

The Swedish defender was set for talks with Martin O'Neill today that would either spell the end of his near seven-year Villa career and an immediate move to Juventus, or would delay the move until the summer.

Mellberg did not say his goodbyes to the supporters after the home draw with Blackburn and is believed to want to see the season out.

But O'Neill could sway his decision, either by signing a new right-back or by insisting that it is in the player's interests to make a swift move.

Another player whose future may be away from Villa Park, on loan at least, is Gary Cahill. Villa turned down a £4million bid from Bolton last week but a deal could still be done this week.

O'Neill has indicated that Cahill may now be ready to move away permanently but it is clear his asking price has not been met.

"Bolton are one of a number of clubs that were initially interested in taking Gary on loan." said O'Neill.

"They put a bid in which we didn't accept. All the time, up until very recently, Gary has been thinking about going on loan somewhere until the end of the season.

"But if we send him out to a Premier side or back to Sheffield United we won't have his services again this season, so it is a balancing act.

"Gary sid it wouldn't really have mattered whether Bolton made a higher bid because he had in mind going back out on loan. But things might change."