O'Neill reluctance over U21s

Martin O’Neill would prefer his crop of young Aston Villa players to recharge their batteries this summer rather than feature in the European Under-21 Championships for England.

However, the Irishman will not attempt to stand in the way of Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young, Gary Cahill and Liam Ridgewell if they are called up for the June tournament in Holland by under-21 coach Stuart Pearce.