Mellberg dismisses speculation

The Swedish centre-back has been linked with Middlesbrough and the Blouse but Mellberg is adamant his commitment to Villa is as strong as ever. "It is bull to say I am tired of being at Villa," said Mellberg, having clearly spent too long with the likes of Chav Hendrie. "The reason some clubs have shown an interest in me is because it has been going well for me – nothing else."

He reserved special mention for Villa's city rivals, with whom the former Racing Santander defender has a long-standing bilious relationship with, saying: "I can’t imagine Birmingham have shown an interest in me and neither have I in them."