Curtis Davies claims his Aston Villa team-mate Richard Dunne was a "bargain signing" and believes Manchester City are regretting allowing him to leave Eastlands. Central defender Dunne, 30, had been skipper at City and spent nine years with the club but was allowed to join Villa for £6million on the final day of the summer transfer window.

The Republic of Ireland defender will be looking to help fourth-placed Villa achieve a fifth successive league win when they visit Arsenal on Sunday.

Fellow centre-back Davies, now said: "I was surprised when Manchester City let Richard go.

"I did not think they would let him leave. They have brought in two good centre-halves in (Lescott and Toure) but we got Richard for £6million and they have paid something like £24million and £14 million.

"I think we have got a bargain and he has been superb for us and also scored some vital goals.

"A lot of people think Richard is older than he is because he has been around a long time and he started as a young player at Everton.

"But you can see the quality he has, the form he is in and I think City are regretting letting him go."