Villa boss O'Neill goes for Hargreaves, Gravesen
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is chasing Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves.
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is chasing Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves.
O'Neill also has Real Madrid firebrand Thomas Gravesen in his sights, says the Daily Mail. The Irishman began his new job officially on Saturday by overseeing Villa's friendly against Hanover on their preseason tour of Germany and Holland.
But already he is exploring the possibility of granting Hargreaves' wish of playing in the Premiership after nine years at Bayern Munich.
The 25-year-old midfielder was England's outstanding player in their last international against Portugal before they bowed out of the World Cup quarter-finals on penalties.
O'Neill will also join Newcastle United in the race to sign former Everton playmaker Gravesen.
Meanwhile, O'Neill acknowledges the Premiership has changed since he left Leicester for Celtic six years ago, and not least because of the way Roman Abramovich has bankrolled Chelsea's success.
"He's moved the goalposts to such an extent that Manchester United and Arsenal, who were dominating proceedings every season, now have to find something extra again."
"Whether that is a good thing for the game or not, I am not at liberty to make a judgment. It makes it difficult to compete but the alternative is rather nasty. You just pack in and go home - and I don't see why you should want to do that."
"You would reckon Chelsea are stronger than everyone else and their squad is greater than anyone else."
"But Mr Ellis has given me the opportunity to come and manage Aston Villa, and although you envisage it being a long haul, this is a job I want to do and do well. And given a bit of time I think I can do it."
"The chance to manage Celtic was an opportunity I wanted to take and it was one of the most fantastic clubs in the world. God knows how long I might have been there but things developed, as you know."
"But make no mistake, Villa are also a fantastic club. That's my belief. It's not just words for the sake of it and I want to do my very best here."