Woe for Republic defenders O'Brien and O'Shea

Newcastle are currently in recruiting mood as Boumsong and Celestine Babayaro look set to move to St. James’ Park.

O’Brien could then be surplus to requirements for Graeme Souness and Dave O’Leary is ready to make a £4m offer for the former Bradford man.

The Villa squad is notoriously small and with centre back Martin Laursen a long term injury doubt, O’Leary is in the market for another centre half.

“The manager has made it clear that Andy O’Brien is a player whom he rates very highly and would like to bring to the club,” claimed a Villa Park insider.

John O’Shea could miss Manchester United’s next three games after picking up a thigh injury in the win at Villa Park.

The injury will be particularly frustrating for the Waterford man as he had started to show signs of his best form when filling in for the injured Gary Neville in recent weeks.

"John is out maybe for two weeks but hopefully not as long as that,” confirmed United boss Alex Ferguson.

O’Shea will definitely miss the league games against Middlesborough and Spurs, while he has little chance of facing Exeter City in the FA Cup.

However, he should be recovered in time to be considered for the Carling Cup clash with Chelsea on January 12.