O'Leary wants deals for duo

David O'Leary is anxious for Aston Villa to hand new contracts to Gavin McCann and Thomas Sorensen.

Villa boss O'Leary signed the duo from Sunderland two years ago and holds the pair in high regard.

Both Sorensen and McCann have just 12 months remaining on their present contracts and O'Leary is calling on the board to dish out new deals.

"I hope the club will start talking to Gavin McCann and Thomas Sorensen about new contracts," O'Leary told the club's official website.

"They both have a year left and they're two important players for us.

"It's important that we keep them. I've said to the board that I want those talks to start because we want them to stay."

McCann endured an injury-ravaged past campaign but the midfielder will be an influential figure for the European hopefuls this time around.

Sorensen will face competition for the number one jersey from new signing Stuart Taylor and the Denmark international is keen to sign a fresh contract.

The keeper said: "It's pre-season and hopefully my contract will be sorted soon.

"Both parties have indicated that we want to extend the relationship and I don't see that anything has changed since so it's just a matter of time."