Scott Carson has revealed his debt to Villa boss Martin O’Neill as he prepares for his England debut tonight.

The on-loan Liverpool keeper – who will be allowed to join Villa permanently according to Rafa Benitez – wins his first cap in tonight’s friendly against Austria.

The 23-year-old shotstopper, who could cost a British goalkeeping record £10m, says O’Neill has turned him into Mr Confident this season and wants to repay his faith following his recent dismissal against Manchester United.

“Martin O’Neill has been different class since I’ve been at Villa,” said Carson.

“He’s helped me bring a new level of confidence to my game.

“When I got sent off against Manchester United, he stuck with me when he didn’t have to.

“That really lifted my spirits and helped my confidence grow.

“It really made a big difference and hopefully now I can repay him.

“He has so much enthusiasm which he passes on to the players and it rubs off on them.”

O’Neill isn’t the only high profile footballing figure Carson is ready to thank as he steps up for his full bow in Vienna.

While he admits he is honoured to be selected, Carson also paid tribute to the man he replaces, Tottenham’s Paul Robinson for helping his development, and former Villa keeper David James, the squad’s other senior custodian.

“It’s a great honour to be selected,” he said.

“When I’m lining up in tunnel and then on the pitch listening to the national anthem I’ll be thinking of my family and friends and all those people who have helped me in my career.

“I’ve known Paul Robinson since I was a young lad at Leeds and I have the utmost respect respect for him and David James.

“They are both top professionals who have helped me settle into the squad.

“They have both always passed on plenty of advice which has been invaluable.

“Every time they have something to say I listen and give it my full attention.”

The former Leeds keeper has kept five clean sheets in 10 games for Villa this season, conceding 11 goals although eight of those came in two games against Tottenham and Manchester United, when he was sent off with the score at 3-1.

O’Neill believes Carson has the work ethic and temperament to succeed at the very highest level.

“Scott has a great deal of experience from playing at Charlton and the experience he’s had with us this season will stand him in good stead,” said the Villa boss. 

“I accept the fact he’s a very young keeper gaining experience and I could not tell you how he is reacting to it all, but he’s capable of doing very well.

“He’s far from the finished article but the great thing about Scott is that he’s got a great appetite for work.

“He wants to improve and he wants to keep on improving and that’s the aspect of his game I admire most.

“He really does want to become a really top keeper and I’ll be delighted when he plays for England.

“I’ve been very pleased with him, he’s done very well. He’s very keen, but he’s also a hungry player who wants to be involved on a regular basis and I know he’d come here to fight for a starting role. That’s the sort of desire I want at this club.

“He did very well at Charlton last season and Liverpool’s initial reluctance to let him go this summer is a clear indication of how much they rate him.”

And Carson is ready to make his move to Villa permanent.

“I’ve been on loan a lot over the past couple of seasons and it’s not easy when you keep moving up and down the country,” he said. “It would be nice to settle at a club I like and where the fans like me. 

“I’ve settled in well here at Villa. Everyone has welcomed me and that’s been a big help. I want to be settled for the next five to 10 years.”