The 20-year-old has remained a virtual ever-present and has also become a key member of the Northern Ireland side, starring in their shock victory over England in September.

O’Leary wants to ensure Villa retain the services of Davis on a long-term basis and secure his services for the foreseeable future.

The Villa boss said: “I’ve said to the club I want to sign Davis on a new contract. I saw him when I came here, I put him in the team and I want to keep him.

“To me people like Steve Davis and James Milner are the future of this football club.

“Steve’s contract is up at the end of next season. He is only on small money and I’ve said to the club we would like to keep him. Long term he could be here with a big part to play.”

O’Leary has dismissed speculation he is looking to off-load club record signing Juan Pablo Angel in the January transfer window.

He said: “I hear and see all these kind of things. I was supposed to be buying Harry Kewell a few weeks back. How the hell can I afford Harry Kewell with the package he is on at Liverpool?

“It’s the same with Angel. What is being said is a load of rubbish. No-one has ever asked me about Angel since I’ve been here. He’s got nearly three years left of his contract.

“No-one has ever rung me up or inquired about him. I’m not saying it won’t happen but up until now it hasn’t.”

O’Leary is demanding an improvement in Villa’s home form for the home encounter with Charlton.

Their only win in front of their own supporters was against Blackburn.

O’Leary said: “At home we have played poorly and given poor goals away. In some of the games we have been unlucky. We could have been well up against Wigan at half-time. In the Liverpool match there wasn’t much in it and a decision at the very end cost us.

“We need a little bit of fortune to go for us but a lot of it has been down to ourselves, poor form.”