Martin O'Neill tonight paid tribute to Gareth Barry after the England man played a key role in Villa's 4-1 UEFA Cup victory against Icelandic side FH Hafnarfjordur.

Barry's participation was the subject of much pre-match speculation but the midfielder was in the starting line-up at Laugardalsvöllur Stadium in Reykjavík.

He opened the scoring within four minutes and created Villa's second three minutes later.

And O'Neill told www.avfc.co.uk: "Gareth did very well. He was an absolute delight. I spoke to him beforehand and he wanted to play. He knew the consequences of playing, just in case anything might happen in the next couple of weeks.

"But I think he wants to get mentally focussed now about the season. It's a big, big season for him.

"He did fantastically well last year and got himself into the England squad and played exceptionally well.

"He doesn't want to throw that away by not being fit for the start of the season."

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