Petrov has 18 months remaining of his current deal and has indicated he would be keen to commit to a long-term spell at the midlands club.

He endured a difficult time initially after becoming O'Neill's first major signing when he made a £6.5million switch from Celtic during the summer of 2006.

But the 29-year-old has impressed during the current campaign in a holding role and played a significant part in Villa's chase for a Champions League spot.

O'Neill said: "Now that the transfer window is closed, to me, I would say that sorting out Stiliyan Petrov's future will be top priority.

"I think he has done brilliantly. I don't know how things would go but I would hope he would want to stay at Aston Villa although I would not want to pre-empt things.

"It will be a top priority to get that sorted out and we will be looking to plan talks."

Petrov said: "The manager has been talking about doing it (starting talks). I am happy here. I am one of the boys who, if the club feel I am doing well, they will sit and talk to me.

"If not, then my life will keep going. I will not bury my head. I will keep working. We will see what happens. People know me and they know that I have always been an honest boy."

Petrov is suspended for Wednesday's home FA Cup fourth round replay with Doncaster after he received a fifth yellow card of the season in last week's win at Portsmouth.