By Paul Brown

Gareth Barry believes Villa's young guns will have a "burning desire to succeed" in claret and blue as several eye their debuts against Swansea.

Christian Benteke, Jordan Bowery, Ashley Westwood and Joe Bennett are all in line for their home bows at Villa Park on Saturday.

Barry remembers his home debut really well, starring in central midfield against Arsenal in a 1-0 win on the last day of the 1997-98 season.

Described in the Villa Review as a "man among men rather than the current youth team skipper", Barry recalls being incredibly nervous before his battle with the likes of Patrick Vieira.

He thinks Benteke, Bowery, Westwood and Bennett will all be feeling the same way ahead of the Swans encounter but insists they will rise to the challenge, just like he did that May 1998 day.

He said: "Young players give you a burning desire to succeed.

"I watched the Newcastle v Villa game at Stan's on Sunday and it was great to see so many young players out there.

"I know it's only one game but they were so impressive and there were so many positives in that performance from the young players.

"The more they play together, the more they will gel. I am sure Villa will shoot up the table.

"As a young player coming in, it was great for me to play Arsenal but I was nervous about playing and making my debut.

"I am sure the new lads at Villa will be feeling the same before the Swansea match. Once you're out on that pitch, you just enjoy it and you get a real thrill about being out there.

"You just want to stay out there. The more you play - after those first five or ten games - you adapt and become more comfortable. It becomes easier."

Barry admits he doesn't know manager Paul Lambert but thinks he will "turn things around" at Villa.

He added: "I have spoken to Stan about Paul and he talks very highly of him. The job he did at Norwich was fantastic.

"When I saw the appointment, I thought 'that's a really good one.' It is a definite step in the right direction for Villa.

"I think he deserves time to get things right. Things don't change overnight. I have no doubt - having heard about the way he works - that he will turn things round."

Snap up tickets for Westwood's debut against Swansea - click here.