MARTIN O’NEILL has admitted it may be “difficult” to secure the quality of player needed to take Aston Villa to the next level.

Aston Villa are still striving to thrash out a deal to make Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell their first summer signing.

Aston Villa are closing in on the signature of Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell.

Patrik Berger has played his last game for Aston Villa after manager Martin O’Neill came out fighting in his battle to keep Gareth Barry.

ASTON VILLA manager Martin O’Neill has told Patrik Berger he has played his last game for the club after recent remarks he made about Gareth Barry.

THEY will probably be complaining about the extra workload and inconvenience of having to play on a Thursday night by the time they reach the group stages in the autumn.

Everton 2 Aston Villa 2

Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry will seek assurances from manager Martin O’Neill regarding his summer transfer plans before deciding on his future.

Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg looks like winning his battle to be fit for tomorrow’s clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium after returning to training following an ankle injury which forced him to miss the win at Reading.

Aston Villa 1 Portsmouth 3

Bolton may have a new man in charge in Gary Megson but the same old problems remain - they have forgotten how to win league games and lost their ability to hold on to a lead.

Shaun Maloney could come into contention for a rare start as Aston Villa host West Ham after returning to training following an ankle problem.

Aston Villa midfielder Patrik Berger has suffered a recurrence of his hamstring problem in training.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has been boosted by the news striker Marlon Harewood’s injury is not as serious as first thought.

Aston Villa’s record signing Curtis Davies is likely to have to put his debut on hold because of a hamstring problem.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has no fresh injury worries after the mid-week internationals for the home Premier League clash with Fulham.

Stoke 0 Aston Villa 2

Columbus Crew 1 Aston Villa 3

Patrik Berger will put pen to paper on a new 12-month contract with Aston Villa when he returns to pre-season training next week – and is tipping the club to challenge for Europe next season.

Veteran midfielder Patrik Berger has agreed a new one-year deal with Aston Villa.

Martin O’Neill is optimistic Aston Villa midfielder Patrik Berger will soon sign a new one-year contract with the midlands club.

Aston Villa 3 Sheffield United 0

Aston Villa are without Scotland forward Shaun Maloney for tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership clash against Sheffield United.

Aston Villa are to offer midfielder Patrik Berger a new contract.

Manchester City 0 Aston Villa 2

Aston Villa 1 Wigan 1

Blackburn 1 Aston Villa 2

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill made four changes to the side which drew against Everton at Ewood Park.

Patrik Berger has spelt out his desire to remain at Aston Villa for another season and believes he can still make an impact in the Premiership.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill praised his side’s second half comeback as Gabriel Agbonlahor’s late strike earned a precious point in the 1-1 draw against Everton.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill praised his side’s second-half comeback as Gabriel Agbonlahor’s late strike earned a precious point in the 1-1 draw against Everton.

Martin O’Neill has insisted Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner is “not expecting overnight miracles” as he pledged an improvement in the club’s fortunes next season.

Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry has backed £8m signing Ashley Young to emerge from the shadow of John Carew and be a major success for the midlands club.

Aston Villa left-back Wilfred Bouma has recovered from an ankle injury and is available for tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership clash at Fulham – their first match in three weeks.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson believes his side will learn from the dramatic defeat by Arsenal.

Aston Villa 2 Watford 0

ASTON VILLA manager Martin O’Neill has confirmed Patrik Berger has been disciplined for “a breach of club rules” after he was understood to have been reluctant to play in a recent reserves match.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has confirmed Patrik Berger has been disciplined for “a breach of club rules” after he was understood to have been reluctant to play in a recent reserves match.

Chelsea 4 Aston Villa 0

Patrik Berger has revealed he is keen to convince Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill he deserves a new contract after nearly 12 months of injury frustration during which time he considered quitting the game.

Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill is hoping Milan Baros can be brought up to full match sharpness while on international duty with the Czech Republic over the next 10 days.

Aston Villa midfielder Steven Davis has been ruled out of the opening game of their pre-season tour against Hanover 96 on Saturday.

STEVEN DAVIS believes Aston Villa have been given a pre-season lift by the return to fitness of Martin Laursen and Patrik Berger. Danish defender Laursen and Czech midfielder Berger made just 10 appearances between them last season due to injury.