Villa manager Martin O’Neill has hit out at the timing of the European under-19 Championship after being left without Nathan Delfouneso for the majority of pre-season.

The teenage striker is in Slovenia with England’s under-19’s and scored twice in last night’s 7-1 victory over the hosts, which booked their place in the semi-finals.

Victory for England over France in the last four will put them into the August 2 final, which comes just 13 days before the Premier League kicks off – leaving O’Neill unimpressed at the lack of time the forward will have to prepare for the new campaign.

The manager said: “He has been with the England under-19’s and that is great in one sense, but I’m particularly disappointed because it is pre-season.

“It was important for him to be with us. I think it is not until August 3 that we will have him back. I have joked before that they keep inventing these tournaments.

“I see the benefit of Nathan Delfouneso taking his place in our team here for the recent games. It would have been great for him to come out to Spain as well.”

But while O’Neill believes the striker has missed an opportunity to make his mark ahead of the new term, he has backed him to fight his way back in.

The manager added: “The whole idea is for him to play some pre-season games and be nurtured through.”