Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill says Gareth Barry was "brilliant" against Tottenham.

Barry has quickly settled after seeing a move to Liverpool fall through and O'Neill said: "He was brilliant.

"He wasn't alone, but he was really magnificent. He was back to his best at club level.

"Interestingly, he plays a totally different game. He's not a holding midfield player for us. If he is, I've picked the wrong player.

"Stiliyan Petrov is the central midfield player and Gareth is given a licence to go and play but he'll get back and do his job as well. He made the goal against Tottenham when Luke Young played him into trouble.

"He extricated himself brilliantly to set up the move and Ashley Young finished it off."