Aston Villa manager Brian Little has admitted he faces an uphill battle to persuade key central defender Steve Staunton to sign a new contract. Staunton, one of the stars of an up-and-down season for Villa, will be a free agent under the Bosman ruling when his current four-year deal expires in the summer.

The 28-year-old could command a huge deal - he is looking for a four-year contract - and Lazio have already been linked with a lucrative offer to him.

Little is keen to hang on to the services of the Republic of Ireland linchpin, who joined Villa from Liverpool six-and-a-half years ago.

"I am not sure which way things will go with Steve, but that's been the situation for the past six months," he said. "I would have liked to have tied things up by the New Year. We've had discussions with him and he has had offers from us - but he has not accepted any of them.

"It's entirely up to Steve. We have been trying everything we can to sort this situation out. But we have to face the fact that we are just one of a lot of clubs in this situation who have players in their first team out of contract in the summer.

"Clubs have got to get used to this sort of situation, and I am sure it will become a more common occurrence for people to see out their contract and then weigh up their options."