MARTIN O NEILL TO HELP PETROV

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has admitted midfielder Stilian Petrov is suffering from a crisis of confidence.

O'Neill has persevered with the Bulgarian international since his £6million move from Celtic 18 months ago despite only spasmodically showing his best form.

Petrove was substituted at half-time of Saturday's win over Newcastle after an ineffective opening 45 minutes and replaced by youngster Craig Gardner.O'Neill said: "Stilian is a very good player but I've seen little spells before where he was also lacking in confidence at Celtic.

"He wants to do well but the early chance he had against Newcastle showed how he is feeling at present.

"The Stilian Petrov I know, the fully confident one, when someone laid the ball back to him in the outside right position, would not have whipped in his shot first time and miscued it.

"A Stilian Petrov with confidence wouldn't have done that. I know what he is capable of. He's scored goals for Celtic, including goals at European level.

FULHAM DEFEAT VILLA

Fulham have defeated Aston Villa 2-1 in the Barclays Premier League game held yesterday.Jimmy Bullard scored a late winner to give the relegation threatened side a 2-1 victory at the Craven cottage.

Bullard, who spent 16 months out with a career-threatening knee injury, scored a superb free-kick to give Roy Hodgson his first win since he replaced Lawrie Sanchez as manager.

Midfielder Simon Davies had levelled in the 72nd minute after Aaron Hughes had scored an own goal to put Villa in front four minutes earlier.

Villa were hampered by the loss of new England recruit Gabriel Agbonlahor through injury at half-time - the striker may now be forced to withdraw from the squad to face Switzerland next Wednesday.

MELLBERG TO JOIN JUVENTUS

Juventus have confirmed they are close to reaching an agreement with Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg.

With the Sweden international out of contract this summer, the Old Lady are free to discuss a deal with the former Racing Santander defender with a view to him joining in July.

It had been thought Juve may be considering making an offer to Villa in order to land him now.

However, it now appears as though he will move on a free transfer at the end of the season.

"Mellberg is close to signing a preliminary agreement with Juventus," said the club's sporting director Alessio Secco.

"If everything goes well, the player will become a Juve player in July. There are still minor things left to discuss before he signs the preliminary agreement."