Aston Villa have received official confirmation from Juventus of their approach to Olof Mellberg, 30, who is out of contract in June. He is permitted to speak to the Turin club with a view to signing a pre-contract agreement.

The Villa centre half was believed to be in Italy for talks on Wednesday. Villa boss Martin O'Neill has asked Mellberg to keep him informed and is likely to press him at training today about any plans for a move.