Barry Bannan

LATEST NEWS

Barry Bannan was an unused substitute for the victory over Norwich last weekend.

The Scottish midfielder's last appearance came as a substitute in the 3-2 win over QPR on March 16.

WHAT HE SAID

This is the happiest I've ever been at Villa - and a lot of that is down to the gaffer. He has been a breath of fresh air for this club. He's just been brilliant.

The mood is so positive. We're all so close and really believe in each other. The camaraderie is so good. We're all focused on Aston Villa and we're absolutely determined to succeed as a group of players for the good of this football club.

There's Karim and Fabian waiting in the wings, desperate for a chance to impress. I need to really work hard and show I'm the right man for the job.

WHAT OTHERS SAID

Ashley Westwood: Baz is a quality footballer. He's amazing in training. He's so sharp you just can't get near him. He's so quick, nimble and when you've got the ball he's always nipping around your ankles hunting for it back.

MINI PROFILE

Barry Bannan's only goal last season was the result of the confident midfielder putting himself in a situation of great pressure.

With the deadlock yet to be broken, Villa had been awarded a penalty against QPR in September 2011, after Armand Traore had fouled Gabby Agbonlahor.

And as spot-kick regular Darren Bent was absent with injury, Bannan bravely volunteered himself for the duty, stepping up to score his first league goal for Villa.

The game was ultimately drawn 1-1 after Richard Dunne's unfortunate own-goal in the dying stages, but with 32 appearances under his belt in 2011-12, Bannan looks to be very much part of new manager Paul Lambert's plans this season.

He demonstrated his ability once more after his pinpoint cross was headed home by Ciaran Clark in Villa's 1-1 draw with Newcastle early in the new campaign.

Bannan began life with Villa at the age of 14, after he turned down an offer to join Celtic's youth academy in favour of a trial at Villa Park in 2008.

During that trial, Bannan featured for Villa's academy side in the Ergenzingen Tournament in Germany, picking up the player of the tournament award as Villa won the competition - and signed a two-year contract shortly afterwards.

Prior to his debut for the first team, the young Scot helped the academy side win the Premier Academy League title and featured in the reserves as they won the Premier Reserve League South, both in 2007-08.

In December 2008, Bannan made his first appearance for Villa in a 3-1 defeat to Hamburg in the UEFA Cup, coming on as a substitute for Craig Gardner after an hour.

After his first start for the club in a 2-0 defeat to CSKA Moscow in February 2009, Bannan moved to Derby County on loan, where he scored on his debut and went on to make 10 appearances.

Having failed to feature for the first team during the first few months of 2009-10, Bannan joined Blackpool on loan that November.

He played 22 games for the Seasiders, including an appearance in their Championship play-off final triumph over Cardiff in 2010, and scored once, a spectacular lob from 30 yards out in a 1-1 draw with Coventry.

Following the departure of Martin O'Neill, caretaker manager Kevin McDonald gave Bannan his first taste of league action for Villa after bringing him on in the 89th minute of our 3-0 opening day victory over West Ham in 2010-11, and the midfielder marked the third European game of his career with a goal against Rapid Vienna five days later.

Bannan kept his place in the side after Gerard Houllier was appointed Villa manager in September 2010 and made his first Premier League start for the club in a 1-1 draw at Fulham.

He went on to make 10 more starts for Villa before joining Leeds United on loan in March 2011, for whom he made seven appearances.

The year 2010 was also the year that Bannan made his senior international debut, following 10 games and one goal for the U21s.

He played the full 90 minutes of Scotland's 3-0 friendly victory over the Faroe Islands and has so far made 11 appearances for his country, being named man of the match in his first competitive start in Scotland's 1-0 win over Lithuania after he set up the decisive goal.

INTERESTING FACT

Barry Bannan's hero is Stan Petrov, having followed the fortunes of the Villa club captain when he played at Celtic.