O'Neill has performed wonders in transforming Villa from under-achievers into a side challenging for Europe going into the final day of the campaign.

But the former Celtic boss is happy to stick with the rolling 12-month deal he signed under previous chairman Doug Ellis in August 2006 before the arrival of new owner Randy Lerner the following month.

O'Neill said: "My contract is not really important. It would not matter whether you sign for four years, for 10 years or have a one-year rolling deal or whatever.

"Insecurity has never bothered me. It is something that I actually quite like. If you signed for five or 10 years it would just be a lot more messy if things don't work out.

"It doesn't really matter. I have a commitment to the football club and I think Randy Lerner has seen my past record of longevity at football clubs.

"I had five years as manager at Wycombe, then five years at Leicester and another five years at Celtic, interspersed with six months at Norwich when myself and the chairman didn't quite see eye to eye."

O'Neill, whose side visit West Ham on Sunday, added: "I want to be part of the success we can achieve here. I signed a rolling contract with Doug Ellis before Randy Lerner came here and I am happy with that.

"I am well paid to do the job. If the job goes belly up what is the difference if I have a four or five-year contract?

"Does anyone blink an eyelid now when they sign it? Not at all. All it means is they must have been doing well the previous week and they got the chairman on a good day."

O'Neill knows what is at stake on Sunday when Villa could end up in the UEFA Cup or alternatively miss out even on a place in the Intertoto Cup.

He said: "It is big game for us. We made a mess of it on Saturday against Wigan and, given the result Arsenal got against Everton the following day, it is doubly disappointing.

"This is a second chance. We are going into this game on Sunday still with a possibility of finishing in fifth and yet still with the possibility of not making the Intertoto.

"We have lots to play for and that's really the focus."

Defender Olof Mellberg will make his final appearance before joining Juventus on a three-year contract.

Midfielder Patrik Berger will not be considered after claiming Gareth Barry should leave Villa and join Liverpool.