ASTON VILLA manager Martin O’Neill believes defender Nicky Shorey has taken inspiration from midfielder Stiliyan Petrov in battling back to regain his first-team spot.

Gianfranco Zola is hopeful of signing a new contract at West Ham despite a looming change in the club’s ownership.

The Icelandic Stock Exchange today halted share trading in six major financial institutions as the government said it was drafting a plan to deal with the financial crisis engulfing the Nordic country.