Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has backed highly-rated winger Ashley Young to come good on the international stage for England.

Young returned to Villa Park to prepare for Saturday's opening game of the season against Wigan after struggling to make his mark for England against Holland.

It was a big chance for Young to impress having been handed a rare start in place of the injured Steven Gerrard. But it was his Villa team-mate James Milner who impressed with a cameo off the bench.

While Young failed to hit the heights that he has reached on a regular basis in the Barclays Premier League, O'Neill still has no doubt the former Watford wide man can become a key player in the plans of Fabio Capello.

"First of all I was delighted Ashley got an opportunity to play," said O'Neill. "When I spoke to Fabio Capello he asked me about Ashley and said he wanted him to play like he does at Aston Villa. That is all he was asking him to do. But you can get a little nervous or you cannot get the ball. When you are playing for your country you are mindful of other players around you.

"He has this season to try and get on that plane for South Africa. That should be his burning ambition. I wouldn't make all judgements on 65 minutes play against Holland."