O'Leary urges Samuel to find England form

Aston Villa manager David O’Leary has challenged Jlloyd Samuel to recapture the form which earned him an England call-up 18 months ago.

Samuel was one of Villa’s leading players during O’Leary’s first campaign in charge in 2003-2004.

That earned him a place in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s squad for the friendly international with Sweden in Gothenburg.

But the former England Under-21 player had a nightmare time last season and was even the subject of the Villa Park boo boys at various stages.

O’Leary has used Gareth Barry in the left back role at various times during pre-season but he is likely to revert back to midfield against Bolton on Saturday.

O’Leary said: “Jlloyd had a great first season under me but struggled to live up to the expectations that produced when it came to last season.

“He wasn’t in form for much of the time although, in fairness, there were a few players who failed to produce the form of the previous year.

“The challenge for him now is to bounce back from that poor season. His form of the previous year got him into an England squad. That’s what he has to remember.”