O'Neill looks north

The 20-year-old Naismith scored 19 goals in all competitions for Kilmarnock this season and rumours abound of a move to one of the Old Firm. He had a trial at Arsenal last summer after picking up Scotland's Young Player of the Year award and, a big fan of history, O'Neill is reputedly interested in increasing the amount of Scots at Villa Park, perhaps in lieu of the large number of tartan-clad members in the 1982 team.

Naismith's 19^th goal this season came against Hearts on the last day and the man he beat that day, goalkeeper Craig Gordon, has also been linked with a move to Birmingham. With faith in Thomas Sorenson tested last term, O'Neill has been linked with Celtic's Artur Boruc but the consensus is that the Pole is destined for a bigger club so Villa may turn their attentions to Gordon.