Ashley Young is confident Aston Villa starlet Nathan Delfouneso has a great future ahead of him after seeing him score his first FA Cup goal in the third-round triumph over Blackburn. Delfouneso marked his breakthrough into Martin O'Neill's first-team plans by scoring twice in the UEFA Cup last season.

He has had few opportunities during the current campaign behind the established trio of Emile Heskey, John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Young, who set up the opening two goals on his return from suspension, said: "Nathan is a very exciting prospect. If you look at this game and the way he came on, the way he started, he was fantastic.

"He has always had the potential from the first few glimpses we saw of him when he came on last season, especially in the UEFA Cup.

"For such a young boy to come on in an established competition like the UEFA Cup and do so well shows he has got a great future ahead of him.

"He has got an eye for a goal. He is a typical striker. He feeds off the wingers. He can hold the ball up, he can score, and he is definitely going to have a good future ahead of him."