Aston Villa: Barry Bannan won't let Blackburn setback ruin memorable week

Nov 23 2010 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

BARRY Bannan refuses to let defeat at Blackburn ruin “one of the best weeks of my life” which included a new contract and an international debut.

Bannan was rewarded for this season’s remarkable rise to the Villa first team with a new deal to keep him in claret and blue until 2014.

And the playmaker’s club form also earned him his first senior cap for Scotland in last week’s friendly win over the Faroe Islands.

Bannan joins fellow academy graduates Marc Albrighton, Ciaran Clark and Gabby Agbonlahor in recently agreeing extended stays.

“All my hard work over the last couple of years has been rewarded and I don’t think I can thank the club enough,’’ he said.

“Tony McAndrew, Gordon Cowans and Kevin MacDonald have all been a big part of how far I’ve pushed on now.