Villa close on winger deal

Aston Villa are close to getting Ashley Young tied down to a new deal after Martin O'Neill held further talks last weekend.

Young has been a revelation for Villa again this season and the talented winger is fast becoming one of the hottest young prospects in the Premiership.

O'Neill is keen to secure his future as soon as possible and hopes to make an announcement by the end of the week after being given the go-ahead by chairman Randy Lerner.

"We are making progress,'' he said. "There's nothing untoward about it. I would have liked by now to have been able to report something and maybe by the end of the week I might be able to.

"With a bit of luck the contract should reflect the progress that he has made and where he is positioned,'' O'Neill said. "He has just won the Player of the Month again, which is great.

"He is on the brink of the England national side - no question of that. Life is rosy for him at the moment."