Aston Villa midfielder Barry Bannan has extended his loan with Blackpool to the end of the season.

Bannan, 20, has impressed in eight appearances since joining the Seasiders in November and had come onto Preston North End's radar.

However, Villa boss Martin O'Neill has now given him permission to stay at Bloomfield Road for the remainder of the campaign.

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway said: "Our close neighbours (Preston) wanted him but he doesn't want to go there.

"He wants to play for us and I think he's enjoying what we're doing. My job is to make him play for Aston Villa which I think he can do eventually."