McCann playing through pain

Gavin McCann admits he is playing on for Villa, despite struggling with a foot injury.

Gavin McCann admits he is playing on for Aston Villa, despite struggling with a foot injury.

The midfielder picked up the problem in the Boxing Day defeat at Tottenham Hotspur and is still feeling the knock.

He explained it is not a serious injury and he remains confident he can continue to play a part in Villa's push up the Premiership table.

"I kicked someone's studs against Spurs and my foot has been bruised ever since," said McCann.

"It's been giving me a little bit of stick. Something triggered it off again in the recent game with Watford and I needed treatment for a few days afterwards.

"But thankfully it's not usually a real problem when I'm playing. It's usually after the game when I feel it."

McCann is enjoying his football this season and revealed there is an air of optimism around Villa Park since Martin O'Neill's appointment as manager.

He added: "There is a good feeling around the club this season.

"There's definitely something here and the club is looking to go forward.

"Now we need to try and finish as high as we can in the league. We just need a few more points."