Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given is impressed with the return to form of his colleague Stephen Ireland. The 25-year-old midfielder has stood out for Alex McLeish's side over the past number of weeks and Given is of the opinion that Ireland is approaching his best levels.

He told the Irish Examiner: “I think Stephen has had a frustrating time but during the last few weeks you have seen the real Stephen Ireland.

“I think during the win at Chelsea, in glimpses at Villa Park and again against Everton, he has shown that if we can get him on the ball he is very comfortable.

“He can open defences with split passes. I think he is best in that free role he is occupying. He has the talent to see passes other players don’t.

“His confidence has taken a lift, he wants to be on the ball more and is more bubbly around the place. That can only be good for the club.”

Ireland has been in sterling form for the midlands club since the turn of the year, turning in excellent displays against Chelsea and Everton. With his confidence now up, Given is hopeful that Ireland can perform to the standards he reached before leaving Manchester City.

“Stephen was phenomenal at Manchester City," Given said. "He was in the Premier League team of the season and everything.

“The Villa fans haven’t seen that enough. But we know it is there and I have seen it first hand how good a player he can be.

“He was the first name on the team sheet – and we had a lot of big players at Man City then as well. He was a great player for us and hopefully we can get that out of him at Villa.

“I do believe in the last few weeks Stephen seems a bit more positive about everything and more confident in his own game which can only be good for us.

“Personally I just think he wants a run in the team. It is tough to get that sharpness when you are not playing that much.

“The gaffer has faith in him to play him more recently. He is doing it now with his performances and the gaffer is going to find it hard to leave him out because he is performing well for the team."

Ireland's burgeoning form has placed him back on the international radar. He has not played for the Euro 2012 side since 2007.

Nonetheless, he has hinted that he may now be ready to end his stay in the international wilderness. No contact has yet been made between the FAI and Ireland but he is ready to field the question of his availability should it arrive from Giovanni Trapattoni's side.

"I've not been approached," he told the Guardian. "It's not really a question I have to answer because it's not a question that has come to me. I'll see when it comes to me. It's not something I think about. It's not frustrating, no. I've not been playing for so long [with Ireland] that I'm not missing it. I'm just going to concentrate on my club football."