Stephen Ireland believes that he is finally getting close to capturing his best form for Aston Villa.

The midfielder endured a difficult first season as Villa Park and was subsequently loaned out to Newcastle by then-Villa boss Gerard Houllier.

However, the Irishman now feels that a consistent run of games has helped him rediscover the promise he showed at Manchester City and thanks Alex McLeish for the second chance.

"I feel I'm ready to show my best form now. I'm getting fitter and you get that with a consistent run," said Ireland.

"In the majority of games, I would be feeling like I was coming off no matter how well I was doing.

"I guess that was because I haven't been given the trust. Probably since I first got here, I haven't been given that trust - but I have now thanks to the gaffer (McLeish)."

The 25-year-old joined Villa in 2010 as part of the deal that took James Milner to Manchester City.