Lerner wants O'Neill stay

Aston Villa chairman Randy Lerner has insisted that he is keen to hang on to Martin O'Neill amidst a wash of speculation linking O'Neill with a move away from the club. Lerner feels that Martin is 'the best manager around.'

"He is special," Lerner told the Birmingham Mail. "We have the best manager around, I do believe that.

"But as Martin settles into this over the years, I think he can accomplish anything he wants to here. And, my God, I do mean 'here'.

"I don't think the Martin O'Neills of the world are ever available. Ever. Somehow the fates have to conspire.

"The worst thing in the world would be to set out and try to get a Martin O'Neill, because you would never get him."