Shaun Maloney staying at Aston Villa, says agent

Jun 2 2008 By Bill Howell

SHAUN Maloney's agent today insisted that the Scottish international will not be leaving Villa this summer.

The Birmingham Mail revealed on Friday that Sunderland boss Roy Keane was interested in taking the 25-year-old to the Stadium of Light.

Maloney is understood to be unsettled after a frustrating 18 months in the midlands and Celtic and Rangers were thought to be weighing up moves.

But agent John Halliwell insists Maloney is going nowhere.

"Martin O'Neill does rate him highly," he said.

"The sooner Shaun settled down the better it was for all concerned and he is focused on winning his place back next season, which I am sure he will.

 "He still has three years to go and there will be no problems whatsoever with Shaun and Villa.

"At this moment in time it is status quo, nothing has changed. When I tell you it is the truth, I promise it is the truth.

"It is that time of year when Shaun is linked with clubs and this is going to happen every transfer window.

"Other people keep telling me what is going on but I can tell you he isn't going anywhere.

 "We have no contact from anyone in Scotland".