Barry Bannan has said that he is lucky to be alive after being involved in a drunken car accident.

The Aston Villa midfielder was fined £4,500 and banned from driving for 18 months for the incident, which occurred in October.

He was suspended by the Birmingham club for a week and has only made three substitute appearances and one start since.

"It'll still be with me for the rest of my life in the back of my head," the 22-year-old said.

"As much as I regret it, I'm so lucky to be still here today.

"If I hit another car and killed someone else, then there's no point in me living, really, after the things that would be going through my head."

The Scottish international will be hoping to feature in Villa's next game when they host Arsenal tomorrow.

Written by
Pascal Lemesre