Weimann in contract talks with Villa; Jol wants to keep Riether

Aston Villa forward Andreas Weimann is currently in talks with the club regarding a contract extension, according to Villa boss Paul Lambert.

Weimann, 21, may decide to reconsider his future at the Birmingham-based club if they fail to stave off relegation.

The 21-year-old, a full Austria international, is attracting interest from a number of European clubs amid ongoing contract negotiations with Aston Villa.

According to reports, the Austria international, who has 18 months remaining on his current £15,000-a-week deal at Villa Park, rejected a contract offer from club owner Randy Lerner.

In sum, Weimann is happy to stay at Aston Villa, but if and only if he gets a pay raise — which he thoroughly deserves in all honesty — and the club avoid relegation.

The Austrian forward has scored a career-best 10 goals in 27 appearances in all competitions for Aston Villa this season.

“It would be great for the long term if Andreas signs. We’re still talking at the minute so we’ll see what happens there,” said Lambert.

“The way he conducts himself on the pitch and in training is excellent. He has been really on top of his game and taken his chance in the first team.”

Despite the brilliance of Belgian talisman Christian Benteke and the aforementioned Andreas Weimann, Paul Lambert’s side are currently in the relegation zone, having tallied 24 points from 27 league fixtures.

Nonetheless, Paul Lambert remains confident his side can avoid relegation and sign Weimann to a long-term contract.

Jol wants to keep Riether

Fulham manager Martin Jol has reiterated his desire to exercise the club’s first option on Sascha Riether, Sky Sports understands.

Riether, 29, is on loan at Craven Cottage from 2nd Bundesliga side 1. FC Köln.

The Germany international defender has been a mainstay in the Fulham starting XI this season, having missed just one English Premier League match for the Cottagers in 2012-13.

Fulham are expected to take up their option on Riether at the end of the season, and Jol is confident the 29-year-old right-back will be happy to stay in southwest London.

“Sascha is a fans’ favourite,” Jol told Deutsche Pressagentur. “He is the right-back in my starting XI.

“He runs, he works and he has a good view of situations. I am glad to have him at this club.

“We possess an option [to buy him]. If we are to exercise it, he will have to remain at our club. But if he is not happy, we would have to talk then.

“But I really don’t think that this is the case with him. I think he feels fine being a first-team regular with us.”

Fulham, currently eight points above the drop zone, will travel to the Stadium of Light to take on an out-of-form Sunderland side on Saturday, 2 March.