O'Neill dismisses transfer talk

By Tom Adams  

O'Neill dismisses transfer talk

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Martin O'Neill has played down speculation linking three of Aston Villa's players with a summer exit, with Juan Pablo Angel, Jlloyd Samuel and Aaron Hughes all reportedly attracting interest.

Colombian striker Angel has been linked with a return to River Plate - the club he left to join Villa in January 2001.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane is reputedly keen on defender Hughes, whilst Samuel will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season and has been linked with Bolton.

Whilst O'Neill professes to know nothing of any potential interest in the trio, the Ulsterman does admit to receiving approaches about other members of his squad.

"Nobody from Bolton has contacted me about Jlloyd Samuel, although I am not saying that they should," said O'Neill.

"I didn't know about River Plate or about Sunderland and Hughes.

"What I do know is that other Championship clubs have enquired about some of our players, not including those three, to take them on loan.

"I will look at each case individually - I will not say yes or no - to see if it is worthwhile.

"The fact is we have a number of players who are now fit and may need some football. But I am not rushing to be sending players out on loan at this minute."

Villa play away at Fulham on Saturday, with their previous outing having been a 2-0 defeat to Reading on 10th February.

O'Neill has taken advantage of an extended break to take his players on a trip to Spain, and the Villa boss feels the training camp has been a beneficial experience.

"It was good for players to get together and, at this time of year, it was excellent," O'Neill added.

"But the proof will be in the pudding - it is whether you win the games or not.

"Bolton Wanderers took a break recently and were 3-0 down in 20 minutes at Tottenham, so who is to say? But I genuinely think it was good.

"If there is a wee bit of sun around, everyone feels a wee bit better - simple as that."