Swede Set for Skipper's Job

Olof Mellberg is emerging as a potential Aston Villa captain of the future following a spell as skipper in the absence of Steve Staunton.Manager Graham Taylor has admitted that he likes the fact that Mellberg does have strong opinions and he is seeking to make sure that the Sweden international expresses them fully.

Taylor said: "I have given him the captaincy when Steve is not in the side.

"He has got some very strong opinions and I want to encourage him to express them on the pitch.

"He does quite well, he is not a ranter or raver on the football pitch but his points of view are very strong, I may not agree with them all the time but if you agree with everything it is often wrong.

"Our communication with one other is another part of our game which needs to be improved.

"Unless you communicate with one another you have no chance, that is my belief I can use Peter Schmeichel as a good example.

"I was his manager for three months and very proud to be so.

"What impressed me was his mental approach to the game.

"He is 39 and I firmly believe that it is his mental application which keeps him playing.

"He is a prime example to people who want to be best and who want to win.

"The top sides have that sort of personality in their side, as a motivator Steve Sims was the best during my previous spell here at Villa.

"He never got the credit he deserved in the twelve months at the club, he made Martin Keown when Steve was at the end of his career.

"He didn't have a lot of pace but he made a tremendous impact and was a vital player for the club."