Mellberg ready to leave Villa

Aston Villa's outbound defender Olof Mellberg has confessed that he feels now was the perfect time for him to leave Birmingham. The Swedish international defender has agreed a deal to join Italian giants Juventus in the summer.

"Sooner or later the times comes to leave all clubs and for me this is the right time," said Mellberg in the Birmingham Mail.

"When the chance came to join Juventus I knew it would be the right choice.

"They are one of the more prestigious clubs in the world and they have watched me a lot, for Sweden and for Villa.

"I knew Claudio Ranieri from when I played in Spain and I am happy to have the opportunity to play Champions League football - it is something I could not turn down."