Relations between Aston Villa and their former first-choice goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen have reached an all-time low with the Dane claiming he would not sign a new contract with the club even if one were offered.

The 31-year-old has not played at all this season and has slipped to third choice behind loan man Scott Carson and perennial understudy Stuart Taylor.

With Sorensen's contract due to expire at the end of the current season and manager Martin O'Neill poised to sign Carson from Liverpool on a permanent basis, possibly as early as next month, there seems no likelihood of a rapprochement.

Indeed, if things were not bad before yesterday, they certainly are now. "I am simply not interested any more," Sorensen said. "Villa have shown that they have no interest whatsoever to invest in me. Even if Martin O'Neill personally offered me a new contract tomorrow, I wouldn't sign it.

"Martin O'Neill decided to recruit a new goalkeeper when I was injured. He then told me during a meeting that I shouldn't take my spot for granted. The press exaggerated what had been said and that upset him but I can't believe that would be a reason to punish me this way."

All of which means Sorensen would move virtually, though not literally, anywhere to end his Villa nightmare at the earliest opportunity. He said: "At this point I am open to all suggestions. If somebody shows me a contract, I will sign it, no matter what the offer is. But, at the same tim, I don't want to play temporarily for some Japanese club, either."

On a positive note, Stiliyan Petrov has returned to training and is hoping to play his part when Manchester City visit Villa Park this weekend.

The Bulgarian injured his hamstring against Arsenal and has missed the last two matches, against Portsmouth and Sunderland. He said: "It was only a strain and, after the scan, the Manchester City game was always my target and that hasn't changed."

O'Neill could recall the former Celtic man in favour of Craig Gardner. The Ulsterman will have to change tack in his pursuit of a full back, however, after the chances of Porto's Jose Boswinga joining the club receded.

Speculation had circulated that the right back had been the subject of a £7 million bid from Villa but the chances of it going through are slim after the Portuguese side reached the

last 16 of the Champions' League. That could mean O'Neill will turn his attention to Valencia defender Miguel, who has also attracted interest from Chelsea.

Portuguese sources claim an opening gambit will be made by the Villa manager in an attempt to catch any rivals napping.

The Portugal international has made no secret of his desire to play in the Premier League and has previously stated: "I can say with some conviction that I would like to play in England."

Off the pitch, Villa have brought in former Wembley chief executive Michael Cunnah as their new chief operating officer as they seek to upgrade Villa Park.

Cunnah spent four years overseeing the construction of the national stadium until its completion 12 months ago.