Alex McLeish hoping to feel Villa benefit

Alex McLeish today claimed the feel-good factor generated by the return of Ireland's Euro 2012 play-off heroes Richard Dunne and Shay Given will give Aston Villa's squad a boost.

The duo are back after Ireland booked their place with a 1-1 draw against Estonia in Dublin last night to go through 5-1 on aggregate following their win in Tallinn five days ago.

And McLeish reckons the spirits will be lifted even further at Bodymoor Heath as he prepares his side for next Monday's trip to Tottenham with Given and Dunne buoyed by the qualification.

"They will come back with a spring in their step knowing that they have a major tournament to look forward to," said the Villa boss.

"The two of them have already been playing at a great level here and have shown their international class for us in a Villa shirt as well. These guys will hopefully continue to play for both club and country in the same vein of form."

McLeish is hopeful Gabby Agbonlahor will get another chance to stake his claim for a place in the England squad with the forward set to return to training after pulling out of the friendlies against Spain and Sweden with a hamstring injury.

He added: "I think it would be great for Gabby to play for England, but the competition is immense. It would be up to him then to show if he got his chance how good he can really be."