Martin O'Neill has paid tribute to versatile Villa defender Luke Young for excelling at left-back in the absence of injured Stephen Warnock.

Young, usually a right-sided star, could continue on the opposite flank when he returns to play former club Tottenham tomorrow.

And Villa manager O'Neill believes the makeshift role has given the adaptable full-back even more focus during matches.

The ex-Middlesbrough player filled in for more than half of last season in the role ahead of Nicky Shorey and the injured Wilfred Bouma.

"Luke played left-back for us last season," said O'Neill. "I think he has done very well. It's not alien to him anymore. He is versatile.

"He played very well there for us last season and I think sometimes the concentration levels are even higher when he is playing in a position that wouldn't be his normal one.

"I think he has done very, very well in the position. I have been really pleased for some considerable time."

O'Neill likes players who can operate in various positions, adding: "The versatility thing is quite important.

"What we have had is Ashley Young going from right to left.

"James Milner goes across now. Milner is now more central midfield but you will see him sometimes popping up on the right-hand side or left-hand side of midfield.

"It's that versatility that I think has helped us enormously in the last few months."