Given: Ireland Can Make Big Impact At Aston Villa

Aston Villa signing Shay Given has backed Stephen Ireland to revive his career this season.

Ireland is back at Villa Park after a spell away at Newcastle United last term.

“When I joined Manchester City, Stephen Ireland was the first name on the sheet,” Given told Villa’s website. “He’s a fantastic player and one of the top midfielders in the country when he is on song.

“Hopefully myself and the new manager can get the best out of him.

“It’s like a new signing because for whatever reason he didn’t feature at all last season.

“It has got to come from him as well but the player I’ve seen at Man City and that I have seen again here so far, he’s a top, top midfielder.”

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