Defender At Villa For The Long Term

Martin O'Neill has been talking about our on loan defender Curtis Davies who has been kept out of the side by former Fulham boy Zat Knight.

The 22-year-old hasn't started in the Prem for Villa yet but O'Neill's says he has faith in the Baggies boy.

'I've got no qualms about Curtis Davies. Had we been able to sign him a couple of weeks earlier he might have already got into the team. Things didn't go so cleverly for him against Leicester. So maybe there was a feeling of being knocked back by that. But now he's coming back and once he gets that opportunity, he'll establish himself. He's getting to know the players, but this lad has played Premier League football - albeit 32 or 33 games. He knows what it's about and it's just getting used to the whole thing.'

And on the future he says: 'As people know, there will always be a concern about Martin Laursen, but I'm obviously hoping Curtis will be here as part of the long term future of Aston Villa. Not that he'll take two years to get into the side or anything like that. He'll be fine and he did fine on Monday night for the reserves and he's getting there.'

O'Neill says he hasn't had the chance yet because regardless of the 'hiccup' v Man Utd, he thinks Villa have done ok defensively. Might need to remind him about Spurs then!? :o(

Wonder if Zat is over his injury as he hobbled off against Man Utd, if not then maybe Davies will get his shot on Sunday against Bolton?

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.

Join the Vital Fantasy Football League - its Free!