Olly: I'm Not Looking To Quit Villa

Olof Mellberg today dismissed recent reports that he is looking to quit Villa Park, insisting: ¡§I¡¦m looking forward to working with David O¡¦Leary.¡¨

The Swedish international has recently been linked with a big-money move, after conceding he would not rule out a move to Italy later in his career.

But the classy central defender insists his comments were taken out of context and stressed: "I'm happy at Villa and at the moment I am not looking for another option. But all football players have to always keep a door open and that goes for managers as well.

"If one of the biggest clubs came in for me and I thought it was the right time to move on, then of course I would think about it.

"But that's nothing different. I think every single player would say the same. And I stress that isn't to say I'm not happy at Villa.

"Of course, next season we need to get better results on the pitch, but if I thought we were going to be in the bottom half of the table again, then I wouldn't say that I am happy at the club.

"I believe we have the capabilities to challenge. I think we have a side that can be right up there, not 14th, 15th or 16th in what was a very disappointing season."

Turning to the new man in charge, Mellberg added: "I don't know that much about him, and it's always difficult judging players and managers from the bits you've seen of them on the TV.

"Just judging O'Leary by his record he appears to be a very good manager indeed. He did very well at Leeds.

"I'm looking forward to getting to meet him but first of all I've got two more matches to think about and then hopefully a long, four or five-week, football-free vacation."

Before that break, Mellberg faces a European Championship double-header against San Marino on Saturday and Poland on June 11.