Villa’s young guns have been told to follow the lead of teenage sensation Nathan Delfouneso if they are called into action against CSKA Moscow.

Delfouneso has already made his mark on Villa’s UEFA Cup campaign, netting in the defeats to MSK Zilina and Hamburg, and he is expected to get a chance to add to his total in the second leg of the round of 32 tie.

The 18-year-old has leapfrogged Marlon Harewood in the strikers’ pecking order at Villa Park this season, after a series of impressive displays which have seen him net three times in four starts.

He is not the only youngster who could be handed a chance to shine after Elliott Parish, Ciaran Clark, Shane Lowry, Marc Albrighton, Eric Lichaj and Barry Bannan all boarded the plane to the Russian capital, with manager Martin O’Neill leaving a string of stars at home to rest for Sunday’s Stoke game.

The Villa boss believes the experience will hugely benefit his up-and-coming generation of claret and blues – and points to the rapid strides made by England under-19 star Delfouneso since his involvement in the competition as proof.

O’Neill said: “I think he looks forward to the games. He has got the natural talent. He is a really decent footballer, he can run with the ball, he has really good control. He’s still very, very young.

“The good thing about it is some of the younger lads are getting an opportunity here at the football club.

“People see set-ups like we have here and are encouraged. There’s no point in just doing it for the effect of it, the players have to be good enough and that is what’s encouraging.

“Barry Bannan got about 15-20 minutes against Hamburg, that is a step forward for the young players. It doesn’t necessarily mean they will make the grade – but it is encouraging for them.”