Martin O'Neill has hailed the impact of Gavin McCann in Aston Villa's unbeaten start to the season - as the midfielder battles to be fit for Saturday evening's home Barclaycard Premiership clash with Fulham.

McCann, who won his only England cap in the first match of Sven-Goran Eriksson's reign against Spain at Villa Park, has been one of Villa's unsung heroes since moving from Sunderland three years ago.

O'Neill said: "Gavin has been playing brilliantly for us. He is an under-rated player. He has been excellent for us since the the start of the season."