Mellberg to quit as Sweden captain

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Aug 7 (Reuters) Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg is to quit as Sweden skipper although he will carry on playing for his national team, the Swedish daily Expressen reported today.

''I have been thinking about this since after the World Cup and felt that with everything that is going on at Aston Villa it was time to let someone else take over,'' he told the paper.

''We have a new manager and we do not know exactly what will happen with the club or who will take over as the owner...I feel it could be a good change for the national team and for myself.'' Former Celtic coach Martin O'Neill was appointed as Villa's new manager last week, replacing David O Leary.

Sweden play their next match against Germany in a friendly in Gelsenkirchen on Aug. 16. Germany beat Sweden 2-0 in the second round of the World Cup last month.

REUTERS AY VV1707