Aston Villa defender Curtis Davies is taking nothing for granted as he seeks to establish himself as a first team regular.

"Luckily I've managed to get in within the first six games I've [started] and, to be honest, when I was called up I didn't feel that I was actually into my stride yet," he told the Guardian. "Hopefully this season I can keep playing well and then next season I can get off to a stormer and push myself into the full squad for those [World Cup 2010] qualification games. It's more of a long-term goal but I'm just happy that I now know I'm in the manager's mind."

The contentment is shared by Eugene, Davies's father, who continues to travel the length of the country to watch his son. He remains Davies's fiercest critic and biggest fan, with the two always finding time to debrief.

"Too many dads nowadays will pat their sons on the back after they've played rubbish. Whereas I come off the pitch after I have a good game and me and dad will go over the things I've done wrong. That's the only way you will learn and we still do that."