Richard Dunne is convinced fellow Irishman Enda Stevens is capable of big things at Aston Villa.

Dunne insists Stevens will be "some player" when he finally makes the breakthrough.

He told Villa's website: "Enda has been really good since he's come in. I have been impressed.

"It obviously takes time for a lad coming from a lower division in Ireland into the highly-competitive Barclays Premier League. Once he gets up to pace with everything, he'll be some player.

"He'll be eager to compete strongly for that left-back position. I'm sure when the manager signed him, he was looking for that kind of strong competition for next season, rather than this one.

"I have watched him in training and he's fitted straight in, straight away with the lads.

"He's quiet, hard-working and very respectful. I suppose he's a typical Irish player - he gives it absolutely everything, 100% and he never shirks a challenge.

"He obviously wants to get into the first team - that's his aim - and the way he's been training and applying himself, he's on the right road."