O’Neill: We don’t want Zigic

Villa manager Martin O’Neill insists there is “no truth” to Valencia’s claims they have bid for Nikola Zigic.

It is widely known that O’Neill is desperate to beef up his threadbare squad with new recruits for a campaign, which could involve a punishing UEFA Cup schedule – but the giant Serb won’t be one of them.

He said: “There’s not a grain of truth in the story. We have not put an offer in and as a matter of fact I do not even know who is agent is.

“Usually I would not comment on this type of speculation but as people have been quoted in it I need to put the record straight.

“There’s no truth in the rumour and I have absolutely no idea how this started.”

The Villa boss felt compelled to speak out after Valencia sporting director Juan Sanchez had earlier claimed: “The player and the agent know about the offer and we expect a decision in the coming days.”