Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill admits talks with Wilfred Bouma's agent are imminent.

Villa had to inform Bouma yesterday that they were taking out the one season option on his contract.

That will allow Villa the time to negotiate an extension for the Dutch international who they want signed up for the two or three years.

O'Neill told the Birmingham Mail: "We are hoping to see his agent in person in the very near future.

"We know where we are. There is no point me going into the ins and outs, I know what we are doing."