Aston Villa skipper Gareth Southgate is tipping FA Cup hero Darius Vassell to become a big player for the club.
All the talk of strikers at Villa at present centres around £9.5m record signing Juan Pablo Angel, who is expected to make his debut in tomorrow's Premiership clash at Manchester United.
But Vassell, a regular member of the England Under-21 team and who cost Villa nothing, demonstrated his potential in Wednesday's win over Newcastle.
Southgate has no doubt Vassell has ability, but would benefit from an extended run of first-team action.
Southgate said: ''Darius has waited a long time for his chance. I think he is very hungry to take it and that goal will give him a big boost."
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