Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg fears that his lay-off through injury could spell time on his Aston Villa career.

The Sweden international centre-back was not involved in Villa's 2-1 win over Reading at the weekend with a foot injury, and was replaced by Craig Gardner.

With a deal to join Juventus at the end of the season now sealed, Mellberg is worried that manager Martin O'Neill will not be inclined to field him in a Villa shirt anymore.

"He (O'Neill) told me he wasn't very happy with the situation, and the fact that I'm moving to Juventus this summer does not help", Mellberg told Swedish paper Sportbladet.

"The injury does not threaten my career in the long run but I will only find out later in the week how long it will take to heal completely".

"O´Neill and I have a good relationship and I don't have any problems with him.

"However, he told me that he wasn't happy with the situation. I will still do my best to get as much playing time as possible."

Kristine Bergström / Eurosport