Dunne hoping Ireland’s Euro success will benefit Villa

RICHARD DUNNE is determined the success he has enjoyed with the Republic of Ireland will continue for Aston Villa during a testing period — starting with tonight’s clash at Tottenham.

Defender Dunne is on cloud nine after helping his country reach the Euro 2012 finals via their play-off success against Estonia.

But he wants to transform that success to club level.

Alex McLeish’s side have enjoyed a reasonable start to the campaign but now have to face Spurs, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea before the new year.

Dunne said: “I think it’s a great achievement what Ireland have managed and we’re delighted about what we’ve done during the week — but that can’t be the end of it.

“There are some big games coming up for Villa and it’s going to be important for us to be on top form so we can pick up points in December.

“The Tottenham game starts a run of games that are formidable on paper.”

Dunne can see encouraging signs under McLeish since he replaced Gerard Houllier during the summer.

He said: “We would like to have won a few more home games and, with our performances, we’ve deserved to achieve that.

“But we’ve made a very decent start and I think, with the manager coming in, the main aim was just to make us more solid.

“I think we’ve got that now, where we’re a very solid side and we’re difficult to beat.’’

Dunne, however, recognises that Tottenham will be difficult opposition especially in front of their own fans.

He said: “Over the past several seasons they have been really pushing on the door to the top four, as we have been.

“They’re a team that, at home, will be very powerful, providing a challenge that you then have to rise to.

“But it’s always good to go and test yourself against the best players.”

Spurs, who hope to have Rafael van der Vaart fit after the midfielder strained a hamstring playing for the Netherlands last week, can climb into the top four with victory tonight and the club has been lifted by the news that Harry Redknapp should be back in charge.

Redknapp underwent a procedure two weeks ago to insert two stents to unblock coronary arteries and has been recovering since, but is on the brink of a return.

Assistant Kevin Bond insists it is inevitable Redknapp will feel the tension during games, but insists the 64-year-old needs football to function properly.

“I expect Harry to be back on Monday night,” said Bond.

“I don’t know if you can keep the pressure off him. When he comes back to work the pressure of the game will be there.

“Hopefully he’ll come back in better health than he went away.’’