O'Neill urges McCann to battle

Martin O'Neill wants midfielder Gavin McCann to stay at Villa and has urged him to win his place back.

McCann has missed the last four games - the middle two due to suspension - and has a year left on his contract, sparking speculation that he could be on his way out of Villa Park.

But the manager insists he wants competition for places.

"I have not "warned" Gavin McCann about his future," said O'Neill, who ruled out a move for his former Leicester and Celtic captain Neil Lennon, who will leave Parkhead at the end of the season.

"It's all about playing for places next season, so I've been sending out a positive message to the players, not a negative one. I want all the boys out the side to fight their way back in, and if things work out, then they'll stay there.

"Gavin has one year left on his contract, and it's up to him what he chooses to do. But if it were up to me I would want him to be a part of this club for the future.

"I want competition for places. I can't imagine Gavin's happy at the moment. He's not that type of person. Gavin would want to play every week. That's what I want from the players out of the side, and what I'm hoping for.

"For the first three or four months of this season, Gavin was terrific. But it's been a long season and he's been on the "go" for all of it.

"The rest of it is up to Gavin and to all those players out of the team. I want them all to come roaring back.

"We can't allow what happened to us last November - when we were scratching for players - to happen to us again.

"I'd suggest this is the first time Gavin's been left out when he's fit."

By Tim Nash.