Curtis Davies has admitted a first England cap against Germany in the Olympic Stadium tonight would cap “a really great year” for the Villa defender.

Davies was named in Fabio Capello’s first provisional squad for the friendly international with Switzerland at Wembley in February. 

He then suffered a ruptured Achilles against Arsenal the following month but came back ahead of schedule to play a major role in Villa’s push for a top-four place in the Premier League this season. 

Now the former Albion captain is hoping he has created a favourable impression during the past three days with Capello as he looks to push for a place in the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers. 

Davies said: “It’s crazy really. I think two weeks ago I wasn’t even in the Villa team but to be here with England is a massive honour.”

His boss Martin O’Neill is praying his international stars come back in one piece ahead of Saturday’s showdown with Manchester United. O’Neill  is resigned to the fact he will have just one day to prepare his players for the visit of United.

All he hopes now is that he doesn’t share the same fate as Arsene Wenger, who has already received the dreaded call on Theo Walcott dislocated his shoulder in an England training session.