Former Aston Villa fullback Mark Delaney believes Olof Mellberg's reluctance to commit to a new contract may be due to him being played out of position this season.

Delaney told the Birmingham Mail: "He is one of the best signings Villa have made. He is very similar to Gareth Southgate in that he gives you 110 per cent every week.

"The players are all happy with him, he enjoys the club. His heart is at centre-half and yet he sees everyone else playing there, although it has not yet come to the point where he is demanding to play in his favourite position.

"I am not telling Martin O'Neill how to pick his team. I am surprised Olof has not been linked with bigger clubs in previous years, both abroad and in England, but there are the rumours now about Juventus.

"It is time for Olof to sit down and decide if he wants to continue to play at right-back, a position which is relatively new to him in the Premier-ship, at a time when he is moving on in terms of age as well, or if he moves on to pastures new.

"He will either accept that personal challenge and move or will stay somewhere where he is comfortable. Either way he is in line for a bumper contract."