Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill admits he's unsure of a permanent deal for on-loan Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson.

He told Villa's website: "I feel we should have three goalkeepers anyway, especially if we get into the UEFA Cup. Most teams have three. It's a specialised position. But we have a number of issues:

"Scott isn't our player. We have first option on him, but I haven't discussed anything with him. Liverpool have the right to do what they see fit.

"Overall I'm really pleased he came to us. He had a lot to face up to in terms of having played for England in his tenure here. All the England players, and especially him, were blamed for their failure to qualify for Euro 2008.

"Then he had the next couple of weeks where he was under pressure but he coped with that pretty well. But we've decided nothing. When we do, Scott should be the first to know."