Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp has backed Aston Villa midfielder Scott Sinclair to continue delivering for the club.

The 26-year-old has scored five goals in his last couple of games including a Capital One Cup hat-trick against Notts County midweek and a brace against Sunderland in the 2-2 draw on Saturday.

In his post-weekend column, Redknapp wrote for Daily Mail: "Scott Sinclair has spent the last few seasons in the wilderness. Now he's starting to do what he's threatened to do for years.

"Sinclair looked good at Swansea but I always felt he had the ability to do more. I can understand why he moved to Man City — it's a hard club to turn down and he will have backed himself to succeed. But that didn't happen and he was sent out on loan.

"People criticised him for his 'celebrity' lifestyle, but that doesn't mean he doesn't care about his football. Now he has a permanent home at Aston Villa, he looks settled. He is a real confidence player and he has got off to a flyer.

"He scored a hat-trick in the Capital One Cup and added another two goals against Sunderland. I liked that he stood up to take the penalty as well — clearly he's confident. Tim Sherwood believes in his talent. Now he needs to go out and make the most of it."