Aston Villa defender Curtis Davies can't comprehend how a sport like football can generate the money it does!

Honest Davies told The Times: "I think it's ridiculous the amount of money footballers get paid, right across the leagues.

"It's ridiculous that a sport can generate so much money for those who kick a ball around to get paid millions.

"But if the players are doing well for you, then however much the managers and chairmen are involved, it's the players who are getting your club into Europe, or bringing 30,000 people in to watch the team. If that generates such income, they're entitled to their due share of that. If money in football keeps going up, then I believe wages will keep going up."

On describing his performance on Villa debut against Leicester City as being "like a pub team player", Davies added: "I have had positive feedback from people for my honesty but I didn't do it to stop other people from hammering me," he said. "I don't do that sort of thing. People have their opinions anyway. If they still thought badly of me for the way I played, that's fine, because it was still me out there kicking a ball, and not very well.

"I don't regret what I said because that's what I felt. I come out and talk like that to clear my mind, get it out in the open and wash it away. I've moved past that now. I'm just looking to challenge people, get my next chance and prove that I am a good player, good enough to play for Villa and hopefully, one day, for England."

Davies also admitted he's fed-up with how fellow pros carry on with cliches in interviews.

"I do sometimes get fed up with football-speak," the defender said. "It's frustrating sometimes when you know what someone is trying to say but they sit on the fence instead or say the complete opposite. Don't get me wrong: sometimes it has to be done, if there are transfers to be sensitive about. But I can only speak for myself: I'm direct in what I believe and what I say and I just try to be honest because people can see for themselves what you've done on the pitch or off the pitch."

Davies gained nine A-C grades at GCSE and plans to continue his education "once things settle down at Villa". Speaking at Colmers School and Sports College last week, as part of the Premier League's Creating Chances community initiative, he ducks no question.

"I always liked to speak my mind as a kid but was conscious you need to respect people. When the teacher told you something, you have to respect it," he said. "I'm my harshest critic, maybe over harsh, but that's the way I was brought up. That's the way I'll always be."