O'Neill ready to talk to Berger

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Patrik Berger's impressive display against Blackburn on Saturday appears to have finally convinced Martin O'Neill that the Czech midfielder is worthy of a new deal at Villa Park.

Berger is out of contract at the end of the season and, just a few months ago, looked set to leave Villa Park after being loaned out to Championship side Stoke City.

However, Berger scored his first goal in two years as he played for 84 minutes at Ewood Park and O'Neill admits he was deeply impressed by the 33-year-old.

The Villa chief has now hinted he will offer Berger a new deal in a bid to keep the former Liverpool star in the Midlands.

"When I think of the team that I will be building for next season, there will be room in it for Patrik Berger," O'Neill told the club's official website.

"In an ideal world, I think he'd like to stay and that's terrific because you saw his quality against Blackburn.

"His contract is a situation that we will discuss before the end of the season, but this is the first time he has stayed fit since he arrived and I think that's important."

Source: Skysports

[andy villa]

hes been doing well of late....

[Tom Andre]

Berger is better than Zenden and Gonzalez.We should never had let him leave.But I guess we did all because he's so injury prone.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

O'Neill ties up Berger

Patrik Berger has agreed a one-year contract extension at Aston Villa, according to his agent.

The Czech midfielder had looked to be on his way out of Villa Park after falling foul of Martin O'Neill's new regime in the Midlands but in the final few months of the season, he won the trust of his manager and was given playing time.

O'Neill has conceded that he has been impressed with the cultured midfielder and a contract offer was duly forthcoming from the Ulsterman.

It had been expected Berger would try his luck in America but it has now come to light that he will, on the contrary, extend his sojourn at Villa for another season at least.

"Patrik has agreed with his manager Martin O'Neill to stay on at Villa," Berger's agent Pavel Paska informed ismfootball.com.

While Berger is to remain at Villa, another midfielder could be heading in the other direction, out of the exit door, after O'Neill conceded Eric Djemba-Djemba may be on his way to Burnley.

The Cameroon international has enjoyed a successful loan spell at Burnley this season and Turf Moor chief Steve Cotterill is keen on making the former Manchester United man's stay in the North West permanent.

"Steve Cotterill has spoken to me very briefly on it," said O'Neill.

"I know that their season has just ended, so I will sit down with Eric and whoever he has working for him at the same time, and discuss it.

"I will think it through."

Source: Skysports

[andy villa]

he will be good to bring on with 20 mins to go if we need to open up a defence...

[Mighty T.A.L.]

I think he's good enough to be on the first 11.

[andy villa]

a couple of years ago, i would have agreed 100%...

hes 33 now, and when i have seen him on from the start, he disappears after about 60 odd mins, so hes nowhere near a first teamer..

[Mighty T.A.L.]

I think he's on of the reason Villa have done such a good finish on the season.He contributes with high intensity and good passes.He is a good finisher aswell.I would have let him play from start and subsitute him when he becomes tired.He has still much to offer the team.

[andy villa]

i agree...

he has been one of the reasons...

also martin laursen getting back fit and into the side, ashley young playing wide right, gabriel agbonlahor playing up front, gareth barry playing in the centre of midfield and aaron hughes and gavin mccann being dropped....

[Mighty T.A.L.]

O'Neill hopeful on Berger

Martin O'Neill is confident Patrik Berger will stay at Aston Villa next season.

The Czech midfielder has been offered a new one-year contract extension and, according to his agent Pavel Paska, has agreed to sign.

O'Neill expects the deal to be confirmed soon and is looking for Berger to make the most of his opportunity.

Berger's future looked in doubt when he was loaned out to Stoke following a breach of club discipline earlier in the season, but he returned to produce a series of fine performances.

"With luck, Patrik will still be with us next season," O'Neill said in The Sun.

"His input since he came back into the team has been significant.

"He knows he has to battle for a place next season - but he's earned the right to stay here and challenge for a place."

Source: Skysports

I guess he fair not to be a regular player and that's why he haven't sign yet.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

New deal joy for Berger

Patrik Berger has expressed delight at striking a new deal with Aston Villa.

The Czech midfielder seemed to be on his way out of the club after falling down the pecking order and being loaned out to Stoke.

However, he fought his way back into Martin O'Neill's plans towards the end of the season and did enough to persuade the club to offer him a fresh commitment.

The one-year deal has met favour with Berger and he will put pen-to-paper when he returns for pre-season training in July.

"We have a new owner, a new manager and several new players, so it's an exciting time for the club," the 33-year-old told the club's official website.

"The new training ground will be ready for the upcoming campaign too so, in my opinion, everything is moving forward.

"I think the construction of a new multi-million pound training ground is a massive step for this football club. The facilities will be up there with the very best in the country, which will be great news for the current players and a superb way of attracting new ones too.

"I'm sure Martin O'Neill will be bringing in some really good players in the summer, so it looks set to be an interesting time.

"In my opinion this club will be challenging for a spot in Europe next season. I think it's really going places."

Source: Skysports

[andy villa]

good news...

he will be an excellent squad player...

[Mighty T.A.L.]

You are lucky to have a player like him.

[andy villa]

as long as he is fit, then yes, i agree...