Alex McLeish has heart-to-heart with Barry Bannan

Alex McLeish today revealed he had a heart-to-heart chat with Barry Bannan ahead of Aston Villa's game against Tottenham with the prospect of a court appearance hanging over the young midfielder.

Bannan was charged earlier in the week with driving with excess alcohol, failing to stop after a road accident, driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving without due care and attention after an incident on the M1 last month.

The 21-year-old Scot was bailed to appear before magistrates in Nottingham on November 25 but is available for selection for the clash at White Hart Lane on Monday.

McLeish refused to confirm whether the club had completed their own disciplinary procedures but admitted he held talks with the youngster to make sure his head was in the right place.

"We've had loads of one-to-ones and Barry is available for selection," said the Villa boss. I'm sure lessons have been learned. He's training really hard and actually looking really impressive in training. We've had talks with the whole group. We know how we want to go forward. I'm sure all these things hurt but life's a big challenge and it's about how you deal it. "

Read the full story in the Express & Star.