It is doubtful who has the longest future, the country or the player.

It does seem that Stephen’s Ireland’s career neatly matches his country of birth. A very bright future a couple of years ago and then a total collapse and lack of self confidence. Like with the country there is no doubt that within Ireland there is a lack of confidence about the future but a lot of potential within him.

However not at Villa.

The way he came to the club would hardly boost the ego of a player who is known to be ‘mentality fragile’ and then Houllier’s public words would hardly help to build him up. There is a very good player there, we saw it at City and saw some brief signs of it at Villa but will he get the chance to show them ?

Look at the team and squad and if everyone was fit where would he start ?

In centre of midfield, nope Bannan took that position

In the role behind the forward, not good enough for it and Ash should play there

On the right where he had all his success at City, think Mr Albrighton has that position !

It is not clear if he would be allowed to move in the winter but if someone wanted him would we really fight to keep him especially if we got anywhere near £7m or so ?

For most of us he appears an isolated lonely figure at the moment, little interaction with other players on Sunday and no spark or life in him at all. He looks a player wanting out ASAP.

EDIT – Thanks to villaman42 he has seen Stephen Ireland’s Twitter feed which says

might have to give trap a buzz to get a game!
about 13 hours ago via web

This appears to be a totally genuine account and is a clear indication he is not playing on Saturday.