Young Aston Villa starlets can make impact, says Zat Knight

Jul 24 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

“The young lads have done well in the games we’ve played this week,” said Knight, who helped to guide the youngster through the friendly win at Peterborough and draw at Colchester.

“I was really impressed with the way they coped with the pressure of playing in Europe last season and they’ve looked sharp in training. These boys are the future of Aston Villa.

“If we can get two or three of them come through the ranks into the first team it would be fantastic.

“We have excellent coaching and academy staff here so they’re in good hands.”

Knight believes Bannan and Albrighton are perfectly suited to O’Neill’s style of play and can strive to learn from Villa’s established wing kings.

“I can definitely see them making it, whether it’s at Villa or somewhere else,” said Knight.

“They just need to keep working hard and I’m sure they’ll do it.

“They’re both old-fashioned wingers.

“They like to hog the touchline, try to beat their man and put in crosses.”