Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill was delighted after Nathan Delfouneso signed a new deal last week.

O'Neill believes the young striker is a real talent and has backed him to be terrific for Villa in the coming years.

He told AVTV: "I couldn't be more pleased. He is a great talent and has real natural ability. He is ready. He is pushing on very strongly now even though you consider he is still very young.

"He has everything going for him. If he keeps learning, he's got a really good chance. I wouldn't want to put a great deal of pressure on him but in terms of natural talent and strength and ability to go past players I think he's got it all. The rest is up to him.

"He is a great, great talent and I am absolutely delighted to have him here. He has been around the first team. I hope when he gets his opportunity - in the not too distant future - he can grab it.

"I have seen a few players in the past with great, great talent disappear at 21, 22 but I don't think that's in his nature."