Thomas Hitzlsperger hinted that he will stay at Aston Villa if his manager does.
Thomas Hitzlsperger has hinted that he will stay at Aston Villa if his manager does.The Villa midfielder largely attributes his development as a player to David O'Leary who is presently "90 percent certain" to sign a deal to keep him at Villa Park until the summer of 2008.
Hitzlsperger's contract terminates in eight months and recent speculation has suggested Hamburg as his future club.
Last weekend the 22-year-old won his first full cap for Germany against Iran, fuelling such rumours.
O'Leary's future is believed to be a major factor in determining Hitzlsperger's future.
"I think he (O'Leary) has brought the club forward in the last 18 months so it is good to hear that he will be here for quite some time," said Hitzlsperger.
"I don't want to talk much about my contract but I'll be pleased if he stays. It might keep me here as well because I really enjoyed my time under David O'Leary.
"I've played most of the games since he has been here and I think I have progressed as a player.
"I am always looking at improving and since he came that has happened.
"I didn't play many games when he first came but he made it clear what he wanted from me and I have improved as a player since then."
