Aston Villa youth coach Tony McAndrew was delighted to see so many of his players part of the squad for last night's UEFA Cup elimination at CSKA Moscow.

Barry Bannan and Marc Albrighton, both 19, impressed in Moscow and McAndrew told Villa's website: "The whole club is delighted that the younger lads are getting a chance to go away with the first team.

"It's a fantastic opportunity and it would be great if one or two of them get a sniff of things over there. Hopefully they would be able to cope with it. It's an incredible experience for them.

"It's superb that the gaffer has enough confidence in the young lads to take them - that's what it is all about. They have to make sure that if they are called into action they take their chance and perform.

"It looks likely that some of the younger lads will be on the bench and that's a really proud moment for the academy set-up.

"It is fantastic and it does make you feel proud. But it's all down to the hard work of the lads in question. They have worked really hard to get where they are.

"They deserve credit. They have got themselves in the manager's eye when he has been watching.

"They now need to keep up the good work."