Aston Villa: Luke Young’s move to Hull is bunkum - O’Neill

Aug 19 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

“This is his brother. I know it’s his half-brother, but I think they were pretty close.

“It puts things into perspective. He came in the other day to do a little bit, just to try and get his mind off things and I think it’s devastating. It will take time. I don’t think you can compare anything else to that and when he’s ready to come back we’ll be delighted to see him.”

Hull have not contacted Villa and with O’Neill still plotting to bolster his under-strength backline he would not entertain losing one of his most consistent defenders.

“The Hull thing is news to me,” said O’Neill.

“He personally has a lot of things to consider now at this minute. I would have thought a move would be the last thing on his mind and no-one from Hull has contacted us about him.”

“Speaking to him before this tragic event, he was frustrated pre-season because he came back raring to go,” added O’Neill.

“The calf injury he had last season seemed to have cleared up so it’s been really frustrating for him to get this latest injury.

“He thinks with last season under his belt that he can do well, he can get better. He thinks there’s more to come and I don’t disagree with him.”

Villa have not spoken to Tottenham about reported midfield targets Jermaine Jenas and David Bentley, according to Harry Redknapp.

“I’ve never heard from Martin or anyone else about it,” said Redknapp.

“I just think it’s probably a football agent trying to sell one of his players to make some money, trying to gee-up some interest from somewhere, but they are good players.

“Jenas is injured unfortunately at the moment. He’s a great lad and a good player. Hopefully he’ll be fit for the weekend.

“If someone offers crazy money for any footballer, as it proved with Ronaldo, then it’s good business.

“You can never say never with any player, but Jenas isn’t a player that we want to sell,” he added.