Martin O’Neill insists new keeper Gabor Kiraly can be Villa’s hero on Saturday - after revealing he has had to get used to new footballs.
The on-loan Crystal Palace shot-stopper was a spectator in the 1-0 defeat by Bolton last weekend after doing little more than pick the ball out of the net from Gary Speed’s penalty.
Kiraly is expected to come under more fire on Saturday against Manchester United.
O’Neill said: “Eventually he’s going to be fully tested and I’d imagine things will get busier on Saturday.
“It will be a test for him and for all of us, but the most important issue for him is he’s looking forward to it, he’s not shirking it.
“He’s got the experience, he’s played international football and I think so far he’s enjoying it. But time will tell.
“An interesting thing is, other than the day’s training, he had to get used to a different ball as they use a different ball in the Championship.
“He had a good session on Monday as he was getting used to it a bit more with the shooting session all day.
“He’s already played a game and that should give him a lift, and at least he’s played a match at Villa Park and come through it.
“A penalty beat him, but he had little to do, although I can nearly guarantee you that will change on Saturday.”
O’Neill said 18-year-old midfielder Isaiah Osbourne is close to signing a three- and-a-half year contract. “Hopefully Isaiah’s contract will be sorted out in the next few days,” said the boss.
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