Former Liverpool star Berger stepped up his claims for a place in the Villa starting line-up by netting in yesterday's 2-0 friendly win over Stoke.

The 33-year-old earned a new one-year contract after impressing during the second half of last season on his return from a loan spell with the Potteries club.

He has maintained his form since and it is all a far cry from last December when Berger refused to play in a reserve match and as his Villa days looked numbered as a result.

O'Neill said: "Since January, Patrik has been a revelation since he came back from Stoke and his part in a great run at the end of the season was significant.

"He had a long spell when he wasn't fit and I wanted to know whether the enthusiasm had waned. But he's shown since getting fit that he is a top-notch quality player.

"He can still score a goal, as he showed at Stoke, and I genuinely would have loved to worked with him at 23 and not 33.

"But he's returned in the same vein and retained the same zest in which he finished the season. He's got a fantastic enthusiasm for the game. Patrik has approached the training like a 15-year-old.

"He earned the right to the contract for another year and as he reaches the autumn of his career, then every minute is precious to him."

Gabriel Agbonlahor also netted against Stoke as Villa maintained their 100% record in warm-up games after their successful tour of North America.