Sebastian Eguren under the Aston Villa spotlight

May 15 2008 By Bill Howell

VILLA boss Martin O'Neill will continue to monitor the form of Sebastian Eguren as he plots a possible future swoop for the midfielder.

Eguren, a 27-year-old Uruguayan international, came to O'Neill's attentions this season with his performances for Villarreal in La Liga while on loan from Swedish club Hammarby IF.

Villa scouts have been impressed with the player but, crucially, O'Neill has not been yet able to make a personal check.

Eguren was loaned to Villarreal in January, until the end of the season, and has starred in central midfield, predominantly alongside Marcos Senna.

He started his career in his native Uruguay, playing for Montevideo Wanderers and Nacional.

Eguren arrived at Hammarby initially on loan from Norwegian club Rosenborg BK and then signed a three-year-contract in December 2006.

He tested positive for cocaine after a match in the Copa Libertadores in February 2004, which led to a six-month suspension from football.

But after pleading extenuating circumstances, he was handed a minimum ban.