Postma vows to deliver for Villa

Stefan Postma is hoping he has given Aston Villa manager David O’Leary a selection headache after claiming: “He knows now I can play in the Premiership.”

Postma replaced back injury victim Thomas Sorensen for Saturday’s clash with Arsenal at Highbury and produced a brilliant display despite Villa losing 3-1.

It was a rare start for Postma – only his sixth in the top-flight in the past two years – and he has had to be content with a bit-part role since arriving at Villa Park.

Now he is keeping his fingers crossed that he can retain his place for Saturday’s home meeting with Fulham.

Postma said: “I was really buzzing at Arsenal to finally get a chance after two years at the club. Because of Thomas’s injury it meant that for three days I was really focused beforehand.

“In the past I’ve been coming on in matches in second halves and you can’t really focus. You are always on edge.

“I have definitely shown the manager I can do it now. He knows now that I can play in the Premiership. This is a definitely a step up for me although obviously I was disappointed that we were beaten.

“Now it is all up to the manager. All I could do was perform and take the opportunity that I’d been given. Thomas still has not trained, so you never know. All I can do is work hard all week and we will see.”