JAMES Collins reckons Stephen Warnock’s competitive spirit sums up the desire in the Villa squad after saluting the claret and blues’ combative comeback kid.

Warnock thundered into tackles as Alex McLeish’s battlers kicked off the Asia Trophy with a feisty 1-0 victory over Blackburn on Wednesday.

And Collins is predicting another no-nonsense display from the rejuvenated left-back when Villa take on Chelsea in today’s final at the Hong Kong Stadium.

Warnock is playing with a new lease of life after being given a fresh chance by McLeish following the defender’s bust-up with former Villa manager Gerard Houllier.

“He’s come back in and he’s been great,” said Collins.

“When he wasn’t in the team last season you could see in training he was still keen to show his qualities. Since he’s been back in, the two games he’s played and in training he’s looked first-class again.

“So that is like a new signing if you like. I am looking forward to playing with him again.”

Collins has been just as committed in putting his body on the line to protect Villa’s goal amid signs the defence are ready to become a mean machine once again.

“I don’t think you can go into the games and think of them as friendlies,” he said. “That’s when you start getting hurt.