Zat Knight has urged Aston Villa Football Club to show faith in him this season.

Martin Laursen has been forced to retire which has left a gap in the Villa back four, but rather than spend millions to replace the Dane, Knight has asked Martin O’Neill to give him a chance.

"We will miss Martin. We missed him at the end of last season. We wish him all the best for the future - he deserves it," Knight told the club's official website.

"But it gives others an opportunity now and hopefully that can be me. I want to give myself a good pre-season and then be in the side when the new campaign starts.”