And O'Neill, whose Villa side edged past Scunthorpe 2-1 in the second round of the Carling Cup, reckons Laws - who insists it would take an exceptional offer to lure him away from Glanford Park - can make the step up to the Championship.
"My endorsement would be very strong. I don't know which other candidates are on the shortlist but Brian would be as good as any," said O'Neill who, like Laws, played under the legendary Brian Cough at Nottingham Forest.
"Brian is a manager who wants his teams to play attractive football.
"He wants to knock it around and against us they played very well and showed a very good spirit.
"Scunthorpe are a very capable side. They went to Nottingham Forest earlier this season and won 4-0 and he has done a tremendous job there
"He's picked up a great deal in management. He's shown great loyalty to Scunthorpe and done fantastically well. Scunthorpe played great against us; they were excellent."