Nicky Shorey believes Villa speed merchants Gabby Agbonlahor and Ashley Young could get Villa's UEFA Cup campaign off to a flying start out here in Reykjavík tonight.

The recent arrival from Reading will make his Villa debut against Icelandic side FH Hafnarfjordur at the Laugardalsvöllur Stadium.

And he has seen enough in training - particularly from Young and Agbonlahor - to suggest Villa can make a winning start as they bid to qualify for the UEFA Cup proper.

Shorey said: "I'm glad it's not me coming up against them every week. It's bad enough in training, but I'm loving every minute of it here and I'm convinced this was the right move for me.

"This is an exciting time for the club and hopefully we can have a good run in Europe. I want to test myself at every level and to play in the UEFA Cup will be a great opportunity.

"Making your debut is always special but to make my Villa debut in the UEFA Cup just goes to show that I've joined a club on the up."