Curtis Davies has hailed Richard Dunne as a "bargain signing" and
believes Manchester City are regretting allowing him to join Aston
Villa.
Central defender Dunne, 30, had been skipper at City and
spent nine years with the club but the arrival of Joleon Lescott
and Kolo Toure meant his days were numbered.
He was allowed to join Villa for £6million on the final
day of the summer transfer window and has played a massive role in
their impressive push for a Champions League spot.
The Republic of Ireland defender will be looking to help
fourth-placed Villa achieve a fifth successive league win when they
visit Arsenal on Sunday.
Fellow centre-back Davies, now back in full training after
shoulder surgery, said: "I was surprised when Manchester City let
Richard go.
"I did not think they would let him leave. They have brought
in two good centre-halves in (Lescott and Toure) but we got Richard
for £6million and they have paid something like
£24million and £14 million.
"I think we have got a bargain and he has been superb for us
and also scored some vital goals.
"A lot of people think Richard is older than he is because he
has been around a long time and he started as a young player at
Everton.
"But you can see the quality he has, the form he is in and I
think City are regretting letting him go."
Davies is confident Villa have the strength in depth this
season to sustain a push for a top-four spot during the second half
of the campaign.
He said: "I was looking at the fixture list recently and
there is one spell where I think Villa have got something like
seven games in 24 days and, if we draw with Blackburn in the FA
Cup, it would be eight in 24 days.
"It is a tough schedule and the games are coming thick and
fast.
"Last season I think we used the least number of players of
any team in the Premier League but this time we have a stronger
back-up."
Emile Heskey is Villa's only fresh injury doubt for the trip
to the Emirates Stadium. The England striker picked up a groin
problem during the weekend win over Stoke but Villa boss Martin
O'Neill is hopeful he will be able to play some part during the
festive programme.
If he is ruled out, O'Neill has a ready-made replacement in
John Carew, who came off the substitutes' bench to score the winner
against Tony Pulis' side.
'Bargain buy' Dunne impresses Davies
Curtis Davies has hailed Richard Dunne as a "bargain signing" and
believes Manchester City are regretting allowing him to join Aston
Villa.
Central defender Dunne, 30, had been skipper at City and
spent nine years with the club but the arrival of Joleon Lescott
and Kolo Toure meant his days were numbered.
He was allowed to join Villa for £6million on the final
day of the summer transfer window and has played a massive role in
their impressive push for a Champions League spot.
The Republic of Ireland defender will be looking to help
fourth-placed Villa achieve a fifth successive league win when they
visit Arsenal on Sunday.
Fellow centre-back Davies, now back in full training after
shoulder surgery, said: "I was surprised when Manchester City let
Richard go.
"I did not think they would let him leave. They have brought
in two good centre-halves in (Lescott and Toure) but we got Richard
for £6million and they have paid something like
£24million and £14 million.
"I think we have got a bargain and he has been superb for us
and also scored some vital goals.
"A lot of people think Richard is older than he is because he
has been around a long time and he started as a young player at
Everton.
"But you can see the quality he has, the form he is in and I
think City are regretting letting him go."
Davies is confident Villa have the strength in depth this
season to sustain a push for a top-four spot during the second half
of the campaign.
He said: "I was looking at the fixture list recently and
there is one spell where I think Villa have got something like
seven games in 24 days and, if we draw with Blackburn in the FA
Cup, it would be eight in 24 days.
"It is a tough schedule and the games are coming thick and
fast.
"Last season I think we used the least number of players of
any team in the Premier League but this time we have a stronger
back-up."
Emile Heskey is Villa's only fresh injury doubt for the trip
to the Emirates Stadium. The England striker picked up a groin
problem during the weekend win over Stoke but Villa boss Martin
O'Neill is hopeful he will be able to play some part during the
festive programme.
If he is ruled out, O'Neill has a ready-made replacement in
John Carew, who came off the substitutes' bench to score the winner
against Tony Pulis' side.