MARTIN O'NEILL has denied making Newcastle striker Michael Owen a two-year contract offer to move to Aston Villa.

O'Neill is interested in taking the player to Villa Park this summer but refutes suggestions that he has already discussed terms.

Villa issued a statement on their official website which reads: "Martin O'Neill has dismissed stories suggesting Villa have offered Michael Owen a two-year contract."

O'Neill has been forced to act following newspaper reports claiming Villa will hand the England striker almost £3m per season - with a further 12 month option dependent on injuries and goals.

Owen will be forced to reduce his wage demands after earning around £110,000-a-week at St James' Park.

He finished as Newcastles leading scorer last season with ten goals, despite spending much of the relegation-ruined campaign on the treatment table.