Stephen Ireland

LATEST NEWS

2012-13 review coming soon.

WHAT HE SAID

I did a lot of research into Aston Villa before I came. I spoke to Darius Vassell, Richard Dunne - I spoke to a lot of people. I knew this was exactly where I wanted to go. I think Aston Villa is a very good family club - a club that will get the best out of me.

I have always liked Aston Villa, always liked coming here and playing. They were always a team I was wary of too. I feel the style of play, the fans.

I want to give the young players advice and help them with their decision making.

The players have bought in to Paul Lambert's philosophy. We see a good future ahead of them. From the first day till now it's been brilliant. He's done a really good job.

WHAT OTHERS SAID

Joe Bennett: Stephen Ireland by a mile - and that's not knocking any of the other lads. The standard here is incredible but Stephen is just sublime. He works really hard and he's really unbelievable on the ball. He always knows what he's going to do with it and is just a quality player. I have trained with Gaizka Mendieta at Middlesbrough but Stephen is up there with him. He rarely loses the ball.

Gabby Agbonlahor: Stephen Ireland is the funniest lad in the dressing room, no question. He's good to be around.

Karim El Ahmadi: Stevie Ireland is so skilful, it's frightening. His technique is amazing. He's just so good on the ball.

MINI PROFILE

Stephen Ireland joined Villa in 2010 as part of a move that saw James Milner head the opposite way, and has slowly gained a growing fan reputation ever since.

Ireland suffered a stop-start early Villa career as he struggled to make an impact under previous manager Gerard Houllier, but his time to shine came to the forefront when Alex McLeish was appointed as boss.

After a number of impressive appearances, including a man of the match performance away at Chelsea which saw him bag his first goal for the club and claim an assist, Ireland cemented his place in the first team.

"Ireland is Superman" was the chant roared from the terraces as he put in a string of impressive performances and intricate passes to stake his claim as one of the first names on the team sheet.

Ireland unfortunately had to deal with a number of niggling injuries which often prevented him from successive games in 2011-12 and only made 20 appearances, including one goal, during the campaign.

But this didn't prevent him from producing.

He sometimes had to play in unfamiliar territory on the wing, yet was always aware and providing cunning crosses and deadly deliveries.

In fact, his 2011-12 season was so highly acclaimed that he won the Terrace Trophy Player of the Season award, as voted for by the fans.

Ireland began his professional career at Manchester City in 2005.

He was voted man of the match in his first professional start against Everton in October of the same year.

Ireland is famous for his Superman pants, which he first revealed after a 1-0 win over Sunderland at the beginning of the 2007-08 season.

He was praised on all levels for his dazzling 2009 season at Manchester City, where he won the Player of the Season award.

Ireland then made his switch to Villa in 2010.

First team opportunities were at a minimum initially and he embarked on a short loan spell at Newcastle during Houllier's reign at Villa.

But injuries prevented him from playing and he only made two appearances before returning to the West Midlands.

INTERESTING FACT

Stephen Ireland won the Player of the Year award for Man City in 2009 and Villa in 2011.