Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill says Gianfranco Zola deserves time to prove himself at West Ham United.

Zola is struggling to snap West Ham out of their winless streak and face Villa tonight.

O'Neill said: "It is far too early to be making assessments on Gianfranco as a manager. He's just getting his feet under the table really. He was one of the most fantastic players to have graced the Premier League - and we were lucky to have him. I think the start he has made to his managerial career is pretty impressive."