Aston Villa Football Club News

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

• Ground:Villa Park
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Villa won't move for SWP

25 Jul 2007 - 10:55:54

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Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has dismissed reports suggesting he has made a bid for Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.

The Villa boss has made only two major signings - West Ham duo Nigel Reo-Coker and Marlon Harewood - so far this summer but insists he will not be bringing Wright-Phillips to the club.

O'Neill did make an enquiry about the former Manchester City star during the January transfer window but said: "I will not go into any other specifics about who I want or don't want to sign, but rumours that we're after Shaun Wright-Phillips aren't true.

"I don't even know where that's come from. To be perfectly honest, I don't think it will happen at all. It seems to be coming up all the time, but the truth is I haven't even enquired about him.

"We did so in January, as people know, but were led to believe by Chelsea that he wanted to fight for his place so I've done absolutely nothing about it.

"We want to strengthen because we don't want to be in a position like last November and December when we were desperate for the January transfer window to arrive.

"We had injuries and suspensions, we were left with the smallest squad in the country and the results went accordingly.

"I don't want to be in that position again. I'm hoping we will have more strength in depth."