O'Neill waits for Young

Martin O'Neill expects to know by Saturday evening whether Watford striker Ashley Young has agreed to move to Aston Villa in a £9.65million deal.

The former Celtic boss spoke briefly with Young and his agent late on Thursday about a possible move to the midlands club as he hailed the "fantastic potential" of the 21-year-old.

And O'Neill said: "I should reckon, by close of play on Saturday, that I will have a fair idea of the player's decision."

He added: "I had a brief chat with Ashley on Thursday but there is a long way to go. I also spoke to his agent very late on Thursday. That's the state of play at this minute.

"I would like to see the player here. It would be great. He has got fantastic potential but I am certainly not going to rush it and I am allowing people to make up their own minds.

"There is no point really in being hypothetical about something that might not materialise but do I think Ashley is a good player. Absolutely."