Villa fight to keep stars

Martin O'Neill says Aston Villa chairman Randy Lerner is ready to break the bank to keep the club's star players on board.

Villa have just managed to secure the futures of John Carew and Gabby Agbonlahor, who have penned new deals, and O'Neill is also working on a deal for Ashley Young.

Midfielder Gareth Barry could also be offered a bumper new deal after a move to Liverpool failed to go through this summer and O'Neill says the money is there to reward the key players.

"This is what we are trying to do," O'Neill said when admitting he wants to sign more quality. "But in between times what the chairman wants to do is try to keep the nucleus of the side together," O'Neill revealed.

"He wants to show that we are capable of keeping our players, and if money is the reward at the end of the day - and that we can extend their contracts if they want to stay at the football club - then that's great."