Young trio Marc Albrighton, Nathan Delfouneso and Ciaran Clark has Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill excited about their potential.

The manager revealed Villa have turned down a number of requests to take the youngsters on loan, because he sees them as valuable members of the first team squad.

O'Neill told Villa's website: "Marc can achieve plenty. There are four to five teams who have enquired about taking him on loan, Nathan Delfouneso on loan and Ciaran Clark on loan.

"At this moment we really cannot afford to be doing any of those things.

"As you saw Marc came on against Liverpool in the game and I think he's got a really decent future ahead of him.

"That will be great. I also think the other players I've mentioned will have futures - Nathan and Ciaran.

"While they would all love to be playing on a regular basis, at this minute I think all of them are pretty happy to be around the squad and learning their trade.

"So where can they go? I think you saw some of what Albrighton is capable of doing in the Peace Cup and he's never too far away from my thoughts as witnessed by the fact that we brought him on against Liverpool.

"They are terrific boys, they really are. They want to learn, there's no real airs and graces about them, they want to go and learn the game and I must admit training here with first team players regularly can only help."