Martin O’Neill today hailed Nathan Delfouneso as the total package – after the Villa teenage hotshot committed his future to the club.

Delfouneso, 18, was yesterday rewarded with a two-year contract extension, keeping him at Villa Park until June 2012.

His only appearance for the claret and blues so far this season came as a substitute in the opening-day defeat to Wigan.

But boss O’Neill says it will not be long before the strike sensation, who scored three times last term, is knocking on the door for a regular place.

“I couldn’t be more pleased. He is a great talent and has real natural ability,” said O’Neill. “He is ready. He is pushing on very strongly now even though you consider he is still very young. He has everything going for him. If he keeps learning, he’s got a really good chance.

“I wouldn’t want to put a great deal of pressure on him but, in terms of natural talent and strength and ability to go past players, I think he’s got it all. The rest is up to him.

“He is a great, great talent and I am absolutely delighted to have him here. He has been around the first team.

“I hope when he gets his opportunity – in the not too distant future – he can grab it. I have seen a few players in the past with great, great talent disappear at 21, 22 but I don’t think that’s in his nature.”