Fabian Delph is hopeful the arrival of Alex McLeish as Aston Villa boss will give him an opportunity to prove his worth at the club.
The 20-year-old midfielder has struggled for first-team action at Villa Park since former boss Martin O'Neill signed him from Leeds United in 2009.
However, the £6million man has impressed McLeish over pre-season and came through the full 90 minutes of Villa's 0-0 draw at Fulham on Saturday.
Delph is now optimistic that he can enjoy a successful future at Villa.
"I am chuffed with starting the first game and hopefully I can do well for this gaffer," he told the Daily Mirror.
"It was my first 90 minutes in a long time and hopefully, with the new manager, the people around him and the players around me, I can improve.
"It is very good for me personally, because I haven't been in favour much in my Villa career so far.
"There is a lot to work to do for myself personally. I pinged a few good passes at Fulham, but I also shanked a few as well."