According to reports in Holland, Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill made a personal check on Ajax star Thomas Vermaelen at the weekend.

The Belgium international centre-half is widely considered one of the best defenders in Holland and according to Algemen Dagblad, O'Neill wanted to check on Vermaelen himself after series of glowing reports from his scouts.

Vermaelen is believed to have impressed again on Sunday after he helped Ajax to a clean sheet as they beat Steve McLaren's Twente 1-0.