Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill admits he's reluctant to sell Gary Cahill.

O'Neill told the Birmingham Mail: "No-one has met our valuation. As for a loan, it's something I would consider if we got the players in."

The manager allowed Steven Davis and Liam Ridgewell both to leave last summer, even though he would ideally have preferred them to fight for a place.

Cahill made the bench at Liverpool for the first time since the opening day of the season against the Reds.

But he knows that even with Mellberg out of the way next season, he is still behind Martin Laursen, Curtis Davies and Zat Knight.

"I understand Gary's position in that he wants to play, but I have to look after events here," said O'Neill.

"Having done so well at Sheffield United on loan, he obviously doesn't want to stall his career.

"By the same token, I'm not in any rush and I will continue to monitor Gary's situation right up until transfer deadline.

"It also depends on Olof Mellberg's situation and I need to assess his frame of mind if he has decided to move on."