Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has decided to postpone contract negotiations with Carlos Cuellar, Emile Heskey and Brad Guzan until the end of the season.

The trio come to the end of their current deals this summer, and defender Cuellar has been vocal about the club's halt in contract discussions.

Villa assistant boss Peter Grant said: "[Alex McLeish] has said he would rather put all these talks back until the season ends.

"Alex has always been one of those guys who prefers to do his business at the end of the season. He knows the most important thing is Villa winning games.

"His thinking is 'I'd rather leave it as much as I possibly can' and I think the players we are working with understand that."

Meanwhile, the Midlands side are preparing for a Premier League clash against Chelsea on Saturday.