Villa to retain Bouma

O'Neill to take up option on defender

By James Pearson   Last updated: 11th April 2008

Villa to retain Bouma

Villa to extend Bouma stay

We have a 12-month option on him which, at the very least, we would expect to take up.

O'Neill on Bouma
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Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is keen to retain Wilfred Bouma's services beyond the end of the season.

The former PSV Eindhoven defender is out of contract in the summer and, as yet, has not been offered fresh terms at Villa Park.

However, Villa do have a 12-month option on the 29-year-old, an option O'Neill feels, at the very least, the Midlands club will take up.

"I think Wilfred has done very well indeed," said O'Neill. "We have a 12-month option on him which, at the very least, we would expect to take up.

Situation

"I have spoken very recently to Wilfred and his agent and we would hope we would be looking at that situation very shortly. He has done very well and I'd like to know what his views are on things.

"The rest of it (a new contract) would be down to speaking to Wilfred and his agent and seeing how they feel about it all. I am sure deep down Wilfred is pretty pleased with himself this year.

"Did he have to win me over? I think that everybody in the side would have felt it was a new start. I don't think it was a case of winning me over but a case of seeing what people are capable of doing.

"In fairness to Wilfred, he got injured relatively quickly after I came here. He didn't play my opening game in charge at Arsenal.

"Wilfred had a few injury problems but this is the longest spell he has stayed injury free and he has reaped the benefits."