After what we saw in South Africa it is clear that we need changes in the England team and I believe we can provide a quality team for the near and medium future. Lets look at the players that could do this in order of quickness of chance and notice just how many there are.

Milner – Well his claims are now obvious and still a Villa player. I do not need to tell fellow Villans of his qualities and for me he is a the perfect and better replacement for Lampard who should be retired from international football ASAP

Ashley Young -Goes without saying he should have been in South Africa, I mean what does SWP or Lennon offer more. Of course he can play the left hand side very wide and very hard working. Why Fabio overlooked him we may never know, he will get another chance but hope it is more than he has had before.

Downing – Natural left footer and one of the few Englishmen around should mean once he has a proper pre season in him and hopefully a good start to the season he should get into the squad quite quickly. I have to admit I have yet to warm to him but he will get time because of hi injury and he has to show he can create and score more because we did see glimpses of what he can do. He must be able to see what a great chance of a permanent England spot he has.

Gabby – Well he splits the fans but I love him. Each season he has got better and stronger and hopefully by the first England game he is leading the Villa line and scoring goals. With his qualities of pace and strength and he does finish well he ha a chance alongside Rooney but should be in the first squad if he starts well.

Warnock – We at Villa are blessed with English left sided players and Warnock obviously went to the WC but more of a default when Baines was homesick. Now Cole for most is the number one pick but lets face it he is an idiot and could blow up. The London press will go the untried and untested Gibbs at Arsenal who is not first choice there but Warnock is a good solid fullback. He gives his all, often gets injured because of it and has a very good delivery, should be in the squad at least.

Delph – Delighted we brought him, saw in games at Leeds and comparisons to Gerrard for me were not unfair. We saw in spells last season before the injury the quality of vision, passion and drive he does have and he can shoot. A player we have not seen at Villa Park since Dennis Mortimer. I am convinced without his injury he would have played many games a the end of last season and been a regular for the start of this season. As long as the injury is fine, he could be pushing for a spot in a years time.

Delfouneso – Really talented forward who can score and link up play, a new Teddy Sheringham maybe ? In the few chances he had last season he scored against all levels of opposition and looked quality. At England levels he has scored goals, poacher goals and here is a prediction. IF MON actually plays him in the league next season he will score and he could be a surprise inclusion in the usual end of season friendlies.

Albrighton – For me the best of all Villa’s prospects. I saw a few reserve games and the limited action he saw in the first team and especially the peace cup proved he has it. He can score, he has pace, he has a trick and he has a fantastic cross. He for me is everything we want from a winger and more, he should be playing 10-20 games next season and a regular the season afterwards, if so he will be in the England squad.

Clark – Strong leader at levels for England and his country. Just had the one appearance last season where against Fulham he impressed a lot. He is now ready to step up and become Villa’s 4th choice defender, we can sell Davies because of him. Whilst he may not make an impact for 18 months or so when he does he could be the strong classy centre back that england are crying out for

Other names to watch out for in the long term are

Gary Gardner – classy centre midfielder who scores

Elliott Parish – good solid keeper at the u-18 world cup