ANDY TOWNSEND is still thinking over the offer of an extension of his contract at Villa Park. The Republic of Ireland international was a £700,000 target of Celtic earlier this week.

The offer was turned down by Villa manager Brian Little but speculation persists that Celtic boss Tommy Burns will make an improved bid for the 33 year old Villa captain.

Townsend, who joined Villa for £2.1 million from Chelsea in July 1993, is out of contract in the summer and at the start of the season he was offered a one year extension to his contract by Little, an offer that remains on the table.