Image:Stephen Warnock: Expected to keep his place despite calls for fresh faces
Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish will remain faithful to under-fire defender Stephen Warnock despite calls for Enda Stevens to step in.
Villa manager supporting defender and refuse to bring in new blood
Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish will remain faithful to under-fire defender Stephen Warnock despite calls for Enda Stevens to step in.
McLeish dropped 30-year-old Warnock ahead of the clash with Wolves with Ciaran Clark switching to left-back but the England international was reinstated at half-time as the youngster struggled to cope with Michael Kightly.
The Villa manager has been under fire to give a chance to the Irish full-back Stevens since Warnock conceded an own-goal against Queens Park Rangers as his side drew 2-2.
However, McLeish has held off the criticism and believes that the 21-year-old Dubliner, who joined the club from Shamrock Rovers, still needs time to develop and the time for him to make his debut is unlikely to be against Manchester City on Sunday.
No rush
"We bought him a boy in from the Irish league and people are asking where he is? He is not someone to rush," he said.
"He has trained with the first team. He is comfortable on the ball and he will get his chance sometime but there are a couple even more experienced lads just ahead of him.
"It's not nice for Stephen to be in for criticism but that happens. It's about showing your strength of character."
