Richard Dunne With Shouting Off The Pitch

Martin O'Neill has admitted that whilst Richard Dunne is hugely influential on the pitch, he's the quiet man of the camp off it.

Speaking on the Official Site O'Neill says that Dunne has definitely let his actions speak louder than words.

'As a character off the pitch, he is actually quite quiet. Although when he does say a few words he is really worth listening to.'

O'Neill adds the player commands great respect in the dressing room, even if he is a quiet lad and the team respect what he's done in the game and what he's achieved so far - let alone how well he's improved our backline.

'I think all those things mark him down as exceptional.'

As for what he's achieved with us, and how he has improved us Monny thinks that the PFA and Football Writers nominators will be hard pushed to ignore the Irishman for this season's Player of the Season, believing he is very worthy of inclusion on the shortlists.

'I think the season has a long way to go, but if it was being curtailed in the next couple of weeks, then absolutely. Why shouldn't he be? Richard has been immense for us.'

Personally it's a two horse race for Villa's Player of the Season - the only two consistent runners are Milner and Dunne. Others like Collins, Friedel and Gabby if his form and scoring continues can push them close but I really can't pick between them two.

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