Aston Villa defender Stephen Warnock is convinced that Chelsea's Ashley Cole is one of the best left-backs in world football. "People say he's the best left-back in England but I'd say in Europe, if not the world," Warnock told the Sunday Mercury.

"I think everyone looks back at the World Cup when we played Portugal and him and Cristiano Ronaldo were going at each other and it was probably one of the best battles that you've ever seen.

"You just saw that day what a class player he is. He's a fantastic player.

"He's one that I always try and look at and try and improve my game by watching him.

"I think every left-back in the country will probably be doing that as well, watching him and seeing why he's the best.

"He's very athletic. I think if you look at him he's got every aspect to his game and he's started scoring goals now as well which is another attribute and another thing that he's proven he can do.

"But he is an all-rounder and one of the best in the world because he does everything.

"He goes forward, he's good defensively, he's got every attribute and a pop star wife as well, so it's not a bad life is it?!"