Aston Villa defender Stephen Warnock believes the form of teammate James Collins could be a crucial factor in whether or not Martin O’Neill’s side qualify for the Champions League next season. Villa are vying for a top four position with Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC, and Warnock believes the Welsh international has been instrumental in the club’s excellent season thus far.
Aston Villa are currently in seventh position in the Premier League with 59 points, three off Tottenham Hotspur but with a game in hand. Manchester City are in sixth, with Liverpool FC in fifth, but Roberto Mancini and Martin O’Neill’s respective sides have two games in hand over Rafa Benitez’s. Villa currently have the best defence in the Premier League and Warnock suggests his teammate’s form has been the major factor behind Martin O’Neill’s watertight defence.
The Aston Villa left-back believes Collins has been brilliant from the word go since arriving from West Ham United in the summer, and suggests that if he and centreback partner Richard Dunne maintain their excellent form, then they have a great chasing of pipping Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC to the much coveted fourth position in the league, not least because they have a marginally more favourable run-in.
The Aston Villa star told Sky Sports: “James has been great,"
"When I came into the club, I didn't know his style of play, but from day one he has impressed massively.”
"He never shuts up on the field. He is horrible to play against. Even in training he is aggressive and wants to win and you can see that in every game he plays.”
"He is as brave as lion, throws himself into everything, and has been like that since day one at the club. He has played a big part for us.”
"To be fair, James and Richard [Dunne] are two of the best defenders in the league on form and been fantastic all season."
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