ASTON Villa are unlikely to pay the �15m Standard Liege want for their midfielder Steven Defour. (Daily Star) Martin O'Neill will not pay over the odds for the Belgian this summer.

ASTON Villa are unlikely to pay the �15m Standard Liege want for their midfielder Steven Defour. (Daily Star)

Martin O'Neill will not pay over the odds for the Belgian this summer. The Irishman is a big admirer of the midfielder and considers him a possible replacement for England star Gareth Barry, who could quit Villa Park at the end of the season.

Liege have made it clear that they will be looking for a fee in the region of �15m if Defour decides it is time to move on in the summer, with the 22-year-old indicating that he would be prepared to make the switch to Villa.

O'Neill has made regular checks throughout the campaign on Defour and wants the attacking midfielder to improve Villa's squad next season, but will not be held to ransom.

“I don't mind paying over the odds for some people if you think that player will develop and become an asset for the team and be money well spent,” said O'Neill.

“I did that with Ashley Young, but if I was told that a player I value at �7m was for sale at �15m, then I would not be able to do that.”