A round-up of today's other soccer news in brief ...

Strong security for Redknapp 

HARRY REDKNAPP has been assured of “strong security” by Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill when he returns with Tottenham for Sunday’s Premier League clash.

Redknapp called for increased protection when a 50p coin thrown from the crowd missed him but struck referee’s assistant Phil Sharp during the closing stages of the game with Portsmouth at Villa Park in October.

Hughton eager for Owen to return

MICHAEL OWEN will return from injury for a game he has dubbed Newcastle United’s “cup final” at Hull City tomorrow and Chris Hughton trusts that the England striker’s presence can help ward off the threat of relegation.

Newcastle’s caretaker manager believes Owen’s catalytic influence will spark a climb towards mid-table. “I see Hull as an opportunity to start a run which will allow us to creep away from the other sides at the bottom,” said Hughton. “It’s an anxious time,” he added. “At a time like this you need your big players and your personality players to step up to the plate and show what they can do on the pitch.”

Everton striker upset by police

EVERTON striker Victor Anichebe said he was humiliated, upset and angry after being confronted by police while window-shopping in Chesire on Wednesday.

Anichebe, whose friend was handcuffed by police outside a jeweller’s shop yesterday, asked if his being stopped by police was a “race issue” in a statement he released on his club’s website.

Valencia in talks over Villa sale

VALENCIA vice-president Fernando Gomez has confirmed they have held talks with Manchester City regarding the possible transfer of star striker David Villa to the Premier League side.

Valencia are in deep financial trouble and admitted for the first time last week that they may need to cash in on some of their prized assets in a bid to ease their problems.

Spain international Villa, who is arguably the club’s most valuable player, signed a six-year contract with Valencia only last August, tying the 27-year-old to Los Che until 2014.

When asked if he could confirm that Valencia chiefs had met with two representatives from Manchester City regarding the sale of Villa, Gomez said: “Yes, it’s true but they didn’t make us an any offer. The president (Vicente Soriano) asked for a significant amount and they didn’t agree.”

Rooney praises Liverpool but wanted Madrid to win

AS A boyhood Everton supporter who now plays for Manchester United, it is not often Wayne Rooney has anything complimentary to say about Liverpool. He broke the habit of a lifetime yesterday when he congratulated them for thrashing Real Madrid but quickly reverted to type. “I grew up hating Liverpool,” he said, “and that hasn’t changed.”

No surprise, then, to learn Rooney was rooting for the team in white when he sat down in front of his television to watch Madrid play at Anfield on Tuesday. “Liverpool played really well,” he said. “They attacked with speed, they were aggressive. Madrid just couldn’t handle them.”

Yet Rooney was speaking without a flicker of self-doubt knowing a United win against Liverpool tomorrow, would put them 10 points clear at the top with a game in hand.

Benitez to meet owners next week 

RAFAEL BENITEZ has reiterated his desire to remain at Liverpool and will meet the club’s owners to discuss his future next week, with a final decision to be made within a fortnight. Benitez’s position has been the subject of recent speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid and he has been quick to take advantage of Liverpool’s win over the Spanish champions on Tuesday to defend his record.

“Next week I am going to study my present and my future with my bosses,” said Benitez, who was also quick to dismiss suggestions that he could leave Merseyside. “I have to decide on my future in the next two weeks. People who see me leaving for Madrid are wrong. I have a contract with Liverpool, I owe Liverpool, and I am only thinking about Liverpool. I am happy here and there is a project under way. I have been here for five years and (if I was to stay) from now on things would be easier.”