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O'Neill: Mellberg backing

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Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill insists he has no qualms about recalling Olof Mellberg, despite the defender revealing he is looking forward to challenging for silverware with Juventus.

The Swedish defender signed a pre-contract agreement with the Italian giants in January and will move to the Stadio Delle Alpi in the summer.

Mellberg's position in the Aston Villa side for the remainder of the season has therefore been questioned and the 30-year-old's latest comments will not have helped his cause.

"I'll be joining a real top club who can, and wants, to fight for titles," said Mellberg while on international duty with Sweden for Wednesday's 1-0 defeat to Brazil at Emirates Stadium.

Respect

"With all due respect to Aston Villa, they've never had the possibility to challenge in that way."

However, O'Neill - who has played central defender Mellberg out of position at right-back for large parts of the current campaign - believes the Swede will continue to perform with maximum effort.

Mellberg is set to return for Villa, who are chasing a place in Europe, against Manchester Untied at Old Trafford on Saturday after serving a suspension for the red card he received against Portsmouth.

O'Neill said: "I haven't seen Olof's comments. What happens when players go away on international duty is they get asked about their clubs and there's always some sort of story.

No problem

"But I have no problem whatsoever with Olof playing in the games for us. He came back to play against Portsmouth and got himself sent off but that was the first time that's happened in his Villa career."