Villa defender Curtis Davies believes Manchester City are coming to regret their decision to let Richard Dunne join the claret and blues this summer.

The Republic of Ireland star became surplus to requirements at Eastlands in the summer, after City splashed out £24million on Joleon Lescott and £14million on Kolo Toure.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill wasted no time snapping up the 30-year-old for a bargain £6million and the centre-back has been a revelation, with Villa boasting the best defensive record in the Premier League.

In the meantime, City have struggled defensively and with Lescott sidelined for the next few months are certain to be on the lookout for a new centre-back in January.

Davies still can’t believe they offloaded Dunne.

The 24-year-old said: “I was surprised when they let him go. I did not think they would let him go. They have brought in two good centre-halves, we got Richard for £6million but they have paid something like £24million and £14million, so I think we have got a bargain.

“A lot of people think Richard is older than he is because he has been around a long time, but you can see the quality he has. With the form he is in I think they are regretting letting him go.”

Davies himself is closing in on a return to action after being sidelined since September following shoulder surgery.

The former Albion captain has returned to full training but will not be available for selection until the new year – it will make for a strange Christmas.

He said: “It’s the first complete Christmas I will have had without being available to play.

“I’ve got a baby daughter, Isla, and in one sense it will be good to spend Christmas with her but, in my situation, if we are training Christmas day I will be delighted to part of that.”