LONDON Real Madrid's England midfielder Steve McManaman has turned down an offer to join English Premier League side Aston Villa.
The BBC reported early on Saturday that Aston Villa Manager John Gregory had had talks with McManaman about returning to the premiership but the former Liverpool star had turned him down.
"We have spoken with Steve and he is going to stick it out there.
He has not been deterred by the comments that the Real Coach Vicente del Bosque has made," Gregory said McManaman, who has been sidelined at Real since the arrival of Portuguese star Luis Figo from Barcelona in the summer, has vowed to continue to fight for his place at the Champions League winners.
While not wanted by Del Bosque, McManaman is a huge favorite with the Real fans after scoring in the Champions League final against Valencia last season.
He received a standing ovation from the crowd and was cheered every time he touched the ball when he made his first appearance for the team in a preseason friendly on Wednesday.
Villa's failure to sign McManaman is the second time he has rejected a return to the English Premier League.
Middlesbrough had agreed a transfer with Real in August but McManaman refused to move.
(Reuter)