Aston Villa Football Club News

• Nickname:The Villains
• Founded:1874
• Manager:Alex McLeish

• Ground:Villa Park
• Capacity:42,584

O'Neill snubs exit rumours

12 Mar 2008 - 09:17:45

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Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is confident that young stars such as Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young are with the club for the long term.

The pair have both been linked with big-money moves away from Villa Park, should the Midlands club fail to qualify for Europe next season, but O'Neill is confident that that will not happen.

O'Neill said: "Playing in Europe can help take players on to the next level and people like Gabby and Ashley are the ones I have in mind when I am thinking about that.

"Of course, it is possible to lose quality players to a team who are not in Europe, but I'm not fearful of losing players if we don't make it this season.

"The reason I want to qualify for Europe is not to keep these players, because I think most of them will want to stay anyway. It is because it will aid their development.

"I think we have established a viewpoint that younger players get the chance to shine in the side here and that the club is progressing.

"We haven't seen any fantastic rotation policy here and these boys enjoy playing week in and week out."

Agbonlahor has scored 18 goals in 81 appearances for Villa, while former Watford star Young has netted six times in 42 outings for O'Neill's side.