O’Neill Close To Midfielder Deal

Martin O’Neill says Villa are getting closer to tying up 18-year-old midfielder Isaiah Osbourne to a new long term deal.

Osbourne, who made his first Premiership start in a baptism of fire at Anfield on Saturday has impressed the new manager who told the official site:

‘I have been making inroads with his agent and we are hoping to tie that down. The agent has spoken very, very positively about Isaiah wanting to stay and I don’t see why not because this is exactly what he wants. He can see and the young lads can see that they will get a chance to play.’

Adding: ‘What a week for him! He came on against Fulham, then played the two games- his full debut against Leicester. He played a lot of the game, hadn’t an ounce of energy left in his body. ‘I thought he was getting tired against Liverpool but he didn’t do too badly considering what he was up against. He will improve.’

Osbourne has already said he is modelling himself on Patrick Vieira, which if he succeeds will more than do for Villa!