Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill will do all he can to convince Martin Laursen and Olof Mellberg to stay at Villa Park.

O'Neill said: "I've spoken to Martin Laursen's agent and we're in the throes of putting some sort of proposals together. We're listening and we're talking now. We desperately and definitely want to keep him.

"As for Olof, we're trying to do all we can. Olof's point is he has been at this club for seven years and this is an important contract for him.

"But his contribution here this season at right-back has been terrific and I could have asked no more of him."