By Paul Brown

Manager Joe Hunt thinks attacking midfielder Sherry McCue will be Villa Ladies equivalent of Paul Scholes next season - and she's delighted to hear that comparison!

Hunt sees McCue as a dynamo in the centre, linking play brilliantly with the strikers and breaking forward in the hunt for goals at every available opportunity.

It's a trait shown for many years by Manchester United legend Scholes, a player McCue rates as her hero.

She said: "I'm not a Manchester United fan but I just love Paul Scholes. What a player!

"He's been superb for so many years at the top level, scoring goals, breaking forward, dictating the play and he's a hard nut with his tackling too!

"The attacking side of the game is something I love doing. And Paul is someone who is an expert there. Even now, after coming back from retirement, he's still putting the performances in.

"Joe has called me the Villa Ladies equivalent of Paul Scholes and I see that as some honour.

"I was happy with how it went for me last season with the team but I want to keep on progressing all the time.

"I want to improve in all areas. You should always be striving to improve. There shouldn't be an end to your development as a player. You need to keep going all the time.

"We have high hopes as a team too. I think we did well last term. We were a newly promoted team so finishing third wasn't bad at all. We more than matched expectations.

"This season I'd love to think we've got a chance of topping the table. That's what we will set out to do."

Before the 2012-13 claret and blue campaign begins, McCue finds herself jetting off to Eastern Europe on Monday with England.

McCue joins starlet Villa aces Abbeyleigh Stringer, Aoife Mannion and Megan Walsh representing the Three Lions at the Euro U19 Finals.

Head Coach Mo Marley has been impressed with their performances and they travel to Antalya, Turkey at the start of next week.

They will then face Sweden on Monday July 2, Spain on Thursday July 5 and Serbia on Sunday July 8 in the group stages.

Dependant on qualification, the semi-final takes place on Wednesday July 11 and the final on Saturday July 14.

McCue, who has represented England from U15s to U19s, can't wait for the event.

She added: "I'm buzzing. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. I'm so looking forward to it.

"I can't wait to get out there and do my very best for England in a major tournament. Hopefully we can all come back with a medal.

"I obviously played for England in phase two of the qualifying which helped us get through to Turkey but this is by far by biggest tournament. It's massive!

"It's great to have some of my team-mates there. We all get on well together so it'll be a family feel out there.

"England are developing well and our stock is rising. At the start of the qualifying I think we were seen as dark horses but now I'd like to think we're one of the favourites. Hopefully we can do well."

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