O'Neill will give Peace a chance

Villa yesterday confirmed their involvement in the 12-team tournament, which will see them rub shoulders with the likes of Real Madrid, Juventus, Lyon, FC Porto and Sevilla.

The competition will be played out in Spain between July 24 and August 2, just weeks before the final qualifying rounds for the Champions League.

O'Neill remains hopeful his team, who currently sit outside the top four on goal difference, will be involved in what will next season be known as the Champions play-off , which will include the fourth-placed sides from England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France.

And, should they succeed, he insists the Peace Cup will give his team the best possible preparation.

"I think first of all it's a prestigious competition," said O'Neill.

"We've been asked to go into it. I think that's a sign of the progress that we're making.

"If you were involved in European football, which might come upon you relatively quickly, fine.

"If you were involved in Champions League qualification, which is still a possibility, that would almost be ideal.

"In truth just finishing that competition and then having a fortnight before the start of the season couldn't be better.

"Real Madrid have accepted it and you've heard some of the other teams like Juventus and it's great.

"I see nothing but positives about pre-season in general and the competition in particular."