MERSON GETS NEW VILLA DEAL

After last season's FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea the former Arsenal star indicated that he wanted to sign a new deal with the club which would see him end his career at Villa Park.

The 32-year-old former England international is now tied to the midlands side until the 2002-2003 season and he has been handed a pay rise in his new deal as reward for his impressive performances this term.

Gregory is delighted to reward Merson, who has been the club's most consistent performer in their indifferent start to the season.

"If anyone can say they earned a new contract, Merse is that man," said Gregory.

"He's been so consistent with his performances that he left me with no alternative but to go to the board with the recommendation to offer him another year.

"We didn't get on together at first but we all worked hard and now he is an example to everyone at the club," said Gregory.

Merson who joined Villa in 1998 from Middlesbrough for £6.75 million is delighted to have his future sorted out.

"I'm really pleased and very grateful to the club," said Merson. "I've said all along I wanted to retire at the top finishing my career at Villa and now I'm going to do that."

Meanwhile according to reports Gregory is set to move for unsettled Chelsea striker Tore Andre Flo in a bid to solve the side's goal drought.

The Norwegian international has hinted that he may have to move on so that he can play regular first team football or else it could hamper his international place.

Gregory is keen to sign the tall forward, who he tried to buy in the summer, as Villa front pair Dion Dublin and Julian Joachim have only scored five goals between them.

The Villa Park boss revealed that he needs more strikers to add competition at the club and for cover in case of further injuries with Luc Nilis sidelined for the rest of the season.

"If either Dion or Julian are injured we'll be forced into a corner," said Gregory. "That's why we should be looking to go out and buy two strikers, not just the one we're talking about."

Villa would need to pay a fee of £10 million or more to sign the player, but Chelsea insist that they don't want to sell him.