Enda Stevens aims to learn from Warnock

Enda Stevens today vowed to challenge and learn from first-choice Aston Villa left-back Stephen Warnock after his transfer from Shamrock Rovers was rubber-stamped.

The Ireland Under-21 international has signed a three-and-a-half-year contact with Villa and had already spent a fortnight training with his new team-mates.

And the Dublin-born youngster realises it will not be easy to dislodge Warnock who has played every single minute in the Premier League for Villa this season.

"Stephen is a quality player, there's no question about that, he's proved himself and it's up to me now to just hit the ground running and try to prove myself," said Stevens.

"It's an exciting challenge. I never expected to come here and just play – you've got to work at it. I've worked hard to get here, but it doesn't stop there. I've got to keep working hard to prove myself. Stephen particularly is an experienced pro and I can pick things up from him. I'm looking forward to learning from him because obviously he's done it in the Premier League for so many years."

Warnock made a costly error in Villa's 2-0 defeat to Swansea which has seen some fans call for Stevens to given a chance against Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup this weekend. But the 21-year-old admitted he is still some way short of the fitness levels required and also leapt to Warnock's defence.

"You can't just go on that game. I mean, look at him against Chelsea and how good he was in that game. Players make mistakes," added Stevens.

"Stephen is a top quality player."