AN ARTICLE BY Mat Kendrick in the Birmingham Mail suggests that Shay Given sees Stephen Ireland’s future at Aston Villa as a bright one.

Ireland has only made ten first team appearances for Villa since joining the club as a makeweight in City’s purchase of James Milner. Keen to view last season (and, presumably, the season before) as an anomaly, Aston Villa’s latest signing believes Ireland’s within striking distance of his best form:

“He’s a fantastic player, and one of the top midfielders in the country when he is on song. Hopefully myself and the new manager can get the best out of him.

“It’s like a new signing because for whatever reason he didn’t feature at all last season. It has got to come from him as well, but the player that I’ve seen at Man City and that I’ve seen again in training at Villa is a top midfielder.”

Though anxious to see Ireland turn his career around, Given doesn’t see the frustrated midfielder as Villa’s only Irish star-in-waiting. Young defender Ciaran Clark is also on the verge of securing a career at the very top level.

“He’s a top defender and versatile as well.

“He’s scored a couple of goals, too, and I think he has a big future ahead of him if he gets his head down and works hard.”

All three featured in Villa’s recent pre-season friendly against Walsall, with Ireland sustaining a mild hamstring injury.

For more information read this story at the Birmingham Mail>