FORMER Blues boss Martin O'Neill has pleaded with the fans to turn out in their numbers for Steve Brown's testimonial against Aston Villa tonight (ko 7.45pm).

The ex-Celtic and Leicester chief signed Brown from Northampton 11 years ago for an initial fee of £40,000 and says the idea of a testimonial was invented for players like Brown.

He said: "Stevie is very deserving of the testmonial. He has seen us all off with the exception of Keith Ryan.

"Aston Villa are doing him proud by bringing a big crowd. I know it is hard-earned money for people with the Chelsea game having just gone and the Wolves game on Friday.

"It is a financial headache for people but Steve has been deserving of it.

"I signed him for £40,000 with an extra £30,000 after a certain number of games and he has been well worth that fee.

"At one stage it didn't look like he was going to last too long. Chesterfield made a substantial offer for him and I felt the offer was one we should take and, to his eternal credit, Steve said no and Wycombe have reaped the benefit ever since."

Brown, 39, who is now the club's assistant manager, joined Wanderers in 1994 and made more than 440 appearances for Wanderers, scoring 43 times.

His testimonial is not all-ticket. Punters can pay on the night.