O'Leary banking on Ridgewell stamina

Aston Villa manager David O’Leary is keeping his fingers crossed that rookie defender Liam Ridgewell can stand up to the demands of playing four games in eight days during the festive programme.

Ridgewell clocked up his 50th first team appearance for Villa in the home Premiership encounter with Manchester United last weekend which meant West Ham were entitled to £350,000 (€513,000) as part of his move from Upton Park as a 16-year-old.