O'Neill eyes midfielder deal

Martin O'Neill has yet to open talks with Stiliyan Petrov over a new deal but is keen to keep him at Aston Villa.

The Bulgarian midfielder is producing his best form since swapping Celtic for Villa and O'Neill is planning to get him tied down to a new extended contract at the club.

O'Neill has yet to open talks but it appears to be only a matter of time before he does after admitting that the player is back to his best.

"I haven't spoken to Stiliyan or his agent about anything. All I will say is this is the best he has ever played," O'Neill revealed.

"He is consistently playing well and I am so pleased for him. He got a great ovation coming off on Sunday and that is a testament to the way he has been playing.

"His confidence is very high and we are starting to see the Stiliyan I knew at Celtic."