We've all pretty much known about this for a few weeks and if we all think back to when Martin O'Neill purchased two central defenders in Zat Knight and Curtis Davies, it should come as no surprise that he'll be leaving.

Last January Martin O'Neill started talking about offering a new contract to Mellberg and Mellberg even came out and said if a contract was offered he'd sign. Either nothing was offered or Mellberg is telling a fib.

I suspect nothing was offered because Martin O'Neill made his mind up about Mellberg when he purchased Knight and Davies and I'm happy for the manager to be making these decisions, because I've bought into the five year plan.

I'm not having a pop at the five year plan, I'm more making a joke out of it. I'd like to see Martin O'Neill at Villa in ten years and I'll happily wish for that at my next birthday.

But I do feel a little misled over the Mellberg affair and it's possibly the only thing about O'Neill as manager that winds me up.

The club tell us they've received a letter asking for permission, some people are saying he has already agreed the deal and had the medical. It appears it is just a case of signing the paperwork that is expected next week. Juventus are not going to waste time with formalities.

I hope he does well for Juventus, if he does actually join them and while I'd love him to stay at Villa, we may have had his best years and this would be a great move for him.

If he does actually stay, I'd be both hugely surprised and quite happy but when, sorry if he leaves, they'll be one helluva send off for him in his last game at Villa Park.

Comments (22)

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Abz said:

I think, along with most other fans, that Mellberg is off in the summer, or maybe even sooner depending on how badly Juventus want him. It will be a real shame because he's been one of our best players since he's been at the club, but I guess with Juve heading for the Champions League, you can't really blame him. I had Mellberg printed on my printed on my Villa shirt this season and I'd definitely get a Juventus shirt if that's where he ends up!! I'll be sad to see him to go because just like Angel, they'd been at the club for a while and in a way, become cult heroes. One point to raise with you bloggers, do you think it was worth getting Carew, when we could have given Angel first team football? I reckon he would have scored the same amount of goals as Carew. I know Angel was in his final year in terms of contract, and was probably going to head out, BUT how do you guys compare the two strikers? An on form Angel was pretty good I thought..

January 11, 2008

andy5759 said:

I agree with whatever Taglor has to say on this.

January 11, 2008

DSB1 said:

It looks like he will deffinately leave us in the summer which is a shame as he has been a very steady player over the past few years. Whilst I believe we have a replacement in Davies, Knight is not in the same class and MON will need to find another centre back to offer cover, especially if Laursen is also on his way. Whatever Mellberg decides good luck to him and thanks for the quality performances he has put in.

January 11, 2008

Abz said:

Not sure if I actually sent my comment, so I'm posting it again... Just to say that it looks like Ollie is on his way to Juve, looks pretty inevitable now. He's been one of our best players since he's been at the club so I'll be sad to see him go. But I guess with Juve heading towards the Champions League, you can't blame him for wanting a new challenge. I had Mellberg printed on my Villa shirt this season and if he ends up at Juve, I'd certainly get that shirt! It'll be a shame to see him go, because along with Angel, they had been at the club for a while and become cult figures amongst the fans. One question or point to raise with all bloggers about Angel. Do you lot think that if Angel had still been the team as a starter, that he would have scored as many as Carew? I reckon he would have if he hadn't left. I know he was on the way out anyway because he was in his last year, but just a thought because an in form Angel was great. But the issue is about the number of goals here....

January 11, 2008

Si said:

Bit of a shame to see him go. He was our skipper for ages and has come in to form under MON. His partnership with Laursen has worked and I'm a little concerned as to how well Laursen will partner with other defenders in his absence. Times change, I guess we roll with it, but like when Angel left, I'll be sad and left feeling that it happened a little too premature.

January 11, 2008

Villa_Rules said:

It will be a shame to see him go and id wish him all the best his been a great player for villa.. But we should keep lookin that way >>>>>>>As fans and as a club because we got davies and he is lookin brilliant i just hope laursen stays because i dont trust knight in defence week in week out

January 11, 2008

I HATE BLUES said:

Mellberg is an old fashioned oof it away defender,compare him to Laursen who likes to play the ball out of defence where possibe Ollie dosent come close to him.If we are to progress in the way we all want to then we need to get players at the club who are comfortable with the ball and can use it wisely in all positions.Im not saying Knight and Davis can do it but they are better with the ball than Mellberg.Good look to him though maube there will be some 1 coming in the oposite direction....trezeguet maybe.He is 30 now, maybe a crack at the prem before he retires??

January 11, 2008

taglor said:

I really like Mellberg and he has been great, but what worries me is that he is at Villa Park firsthand and knows MONs plans and the direction we are headed, if the future looks bright then why is he leaving now of all times? Is it he can't see us pushing on or is it MON not wanting him but being tactile in the way he will let him go? ps I agree with my mate andy5759 and Abz I would have loved to see Angel given a proper run with Carew or Gabby.

January 11, 2008

Turbofatty said:

Good luck to Ollie, he has been a great servant but i think we had his best years. Still good and don't want him to leave but a bumper pay deal to play for Juve before he retires, even i'd think about it if I played for the Villa!!!!!!!!!!! I like what I HATE BLUES had to say about Trezeguet, nice (but can't see it!)

January 11, 2008

Abz said:

Nice one taglor, my sentiments exactly

January 11, 2008

rob h said:

we should all wear olof beards for his last game IF and that IF he decides to call it a day. I like the guy and you really cannot question his commitment. Remember him ribbing the blue noses before the derby? I think he has been a good player but not great. Laursen shows the level where defenders need to be to play in the champions league and olof aint there. Davies could be. Even maybe cahill eventualy. Neverless he tried his best and worked his socks off and never complained. Role Model. Now for the future. this would free up a squad number and wages lets invest it. Villa have made a vast improvment this year and i honestly beleive that there are only four clubs above us as clubs as a whole. and WE WILL BE ONE OF THE BIG THREE OR FOUR SOON. mon has already shown us he is the man.

January 11, 2008 | url

rob h said:

On another matter............. Spread the word.................................... This is mon's aniverary (reading was his first home game as villa manager). Lets give him the most unbeliveable reception at villa park tomorrow. Please lets show him our appreciation. Are you up for it?

January 11, 2008 | url

ketley said:

gotta say i do think mellberg has been 1 of the best signings villa have made for maybe the last decade as he's stuck around and was a solid defender but the only issue i've ever had with him is his distribution it's not good enough and has lost us possesion badly for years but like i say he was allways a solid defender and a couple of years back 1 of the best in the prem but we need to move on and so does olaf, as for angel good player just wish we had the team that could of got the best out of him bit of a shame but those were the dark days lets hope the next time we buy strikers with great potential we actually see it season after season and i think we're on that road now up the villa

January 12, 2008

Ghosthunter said:

I like Ollie but I think he's past his best now and remember, great managers know who to buy and when to sell/let go. There have been plenty of times when Wenger or Ferguson have let people go only for them to fade off in the twilight of their career. Melberg will know that, if we get a decent right back, he ain't gonna be playing much and he probably wants to have a change anyway. Maybe some european action with someone, afterall he's stood by Villa probably beleiving, like many of us, that European football is just around the corner. Ironically, we're about as close as we've been for a while but he has witnessed a few false dawns and probably doesn't want to risk it again. Can't blame him for having a look around.

January 12, 2008

Michael P said:

Well..Mellberg was in Milan only last Tuesday (with Laursen), the deal is done according to italian papers. Now can we please buy a couple of class right backs before we end up playing Taglor in that position?

January 12, 2008

taglor said:

I'm all warmed up and ready to go!

January 12, 2008

Villa_Rules said:

lol@ M-O-N on the villa site havin a moan about january transfer window I think he ought think himself lucky that he has got a chance to sign a few players instead of moaning martin get to flammin work

January 12, 2008

taglor said:

Yeah !! !

January 12, 2008

villafandan said:

ollie's given us his best years and has been a great captain and player for us during some tough times at VP. if he now finds himself in a position to go finish his career at a top european club, earn some decent money and play in champion's league then fair play to him. he knows once we sign a RB his chances will be limited. a good rule of thumb going forward is not to fall into the trap of having to negotiate a new contract with a 30 year old player in the last year of their current contract.... they'll always be looking for longer than you really want to commit to and know full well they have the bosman option if they don't get what they want.

January 12, 2008

Thursdays Value said:

Olof is a great servant to the club and his partnership with Laursen is proving to be very successful but playing in a position that he dose not like could well be the reason that he is not signing up to more years at VP. After all of these years sticking with us through thick and thin he is moved out of his main position. Could he be feeling disrespected? May he even be waiting to see if a good player will be signed too fill this position and if so he will be moved back to his position of choice? This may be the reason Olof has not signed a contract extension.

January 12, 2008

Leroy said:

Sorry but if Mellberg wants to leave now after sticking out through some indifferent times, let him. Stupid really. He still has a couple of good years left but he wants to set himself up for retirement, so see you Ollie.In all honesty, Mellberg is solid at best, his passing has been one dimensional lately, long balls, and he simply wont be good enough now that Davies is starting to come along and we finally get another younger RB. I dont care to be honest. MON said in an interview that he may have some news early this week in regard to Laursen, fingers crossed.

January 13, 2008

Thursdays Value said:

Leroy, Mellberg going will leave a big gap too fill, I feel the Laursen Mellberg partnership is the finest pairing we have had in quite some time,your right Mellberg's style has changed but it is to complement Laursen's. I hope your proven right in your prediction on Davies he has very big boots to fill though.

January 14, 2008

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