Villa boss Martin O’Neill believes fringe players looking to impress England coach Fabio Capello should take inspiration from the achievements of Theo Walcott.

O’Neill has a trio of players – Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young and Curtis Davies – hoping to stake their claim in tomorrow’s friendly international with Germany in Berlin.

The former Celtic boss feels they should take on board the way Walcott went from being a bit-part player with England to a first-team regular after his stunning hat-trick against Croatia in a World Cup qualifier in Zagreb in September.

He said: “At international level, the team is going really well. You have some outstanding players and an outstanding manager who is guiding the team through to the World Cup.

“They have had a fantastic start to their group and are going along nicely, so breaking into that side is difficult – and why shouldn’t it be if that is the level you want to achieve?

“I think any up-and-coming player should take inspiration from Walcott. It was such an important game against Croatia and, for him to come up trumps in the manner he did speaks volumes for the kid. He did remarkably well.

“He has put aside that whole trauma of the 2006 World Cup, when he was taken to Germany as a youngster, was hyped up and didn’t play. He has done very well, come back from that, and other players can draw inspiration from that.”

O’Neill is confident forwards Agbonlahor and Young can do themselves justice if they are given the nod by Capello tomorrow.

He said: “I have have no reservations about Gabby and Ashley going into the squad now. They’re both capable of playing well for their country.

“I’ve often said to the players the time you really want to be right is when the plane takes off to the World Cup finals in South Africa.”