Wilfred Bouma says he's a better player for working with Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill.

"Martin has helped me become a better player," said the 29-year-old.

"When he first came I wasn't playing, but that helped me as well. He just told me what he expected of me.

"I listened, because if I didn't perform as he wanted me to perform, I wasn't in the squad. So he's definitely helped me improve."