Phillips vows to repay O’Leary with goals

NEW Aston Villa striker Kevin Phillips has vowed to reward the faith shown in him by manager David O’Leary with a 20-goal haul next season.

O’Leary yesterday finally captured his man, after failing in the January transfer window to land the 31-year-old, with Phillips signing a two-year contract in a deal believed to be worth around e1.5million to Southampton.

The Irishman has made no secret of his desire to add firepower to his shot-shy attack that last season saw Juan Pablo Angel, Darius Vassell and on-loan Carlton Cole muster just 16 goals between them.

After making an instant return to the Barclays Premiership, in the wake of the Saints’ relegation to the Coca-Cola Championship, Phillips said: “I know the manager has been interested in signing me for some time and when it became clear Villa were still in for me this summer, there was no doubt in my mind. I didn’t want to go anywhere else.

“It’s a boost as a player to know the manager rates you so highly and hopefully I can justify that faith with a few goals here next season.”

The former England international becomes O’Leary’s fourth new signing of the summer, following hot on the heels of midfielder Patrik Berger, defender Aaron Hughes and goalkeeper Stuart Taylor.

Phillips was a €4.9million capture by Southampton two years ago, but failed to find the form which had made him such a hit at previous club Sunderland.

It was while with the Black Cats, where he scored 132 goals in 236 appearances, that Phillips came to prominence with England, winning the first of his eight caps in April 1999 in a 1-1 draw against Hungary.

He last pulled on an England shirt in February 2002 but the fact he failed to score in any of his England appearances did not deter the Saints from prising Phillips away from Sunderland following their relegation from the top flight in 2003.

Phillips went on to score 27 goals in 73 appearances during his time at the St Mary’s Stadium - with 13 last season - and becomes the first high-profile name to leave Southampton since the club dropped out of the top flight.

Meanwhile, Celtic have been told they must buy Craig Bellamy if they want to take him back to Parkhead.

The Welsh international spent the second half of last season on loan with the Hoops having fallen out with Newcastle manager Graeme Souness.

Celtic were keen to borrow him for another season but United chairman Freddy Shepherd wants cash only.