McCann’s replacement Eric Djemba-Djemba is struggling to make an impact at Villa Park and was substituted after an hour against David Moyes’ side.

McCann has been a solid performer since his £2m (€2.9m) move from Sunderland in 2003 but is unlikely to play again this season after undergoing knee surgery.

“I think we are missing a McCann type figure. We are a better team and stronger when Gavin McCann is in the team,” said O’Leary.

“We have to have an harder edge to ourselves. We haven’t got that - particularly when McCann is not playing for us. He is a bread-and-butter professional, an unsung hero type of player who does not get the credit he deserves – but the players who play alongside him know the contribution he makes.

“He’ll definitely be back for next season – and it would be nice to have him back at the end of this season.”

Meanwhile, O’Leary is challenging his club’s youngsters to prove they are good enough to help Villa progress.

The likes of Liam Ridgewell, Steven Davis and Luke Moore have all been given an opportunity by O’Leary in recent months.

The manager said: “I think we can get carried away with youngsters. I cleared the decks of a lot of old wood last season. Youngsters can get in, but they’ve got to be good enough for you to say ‘are they going to take us forward to where this club wants to be?’

“We’ve got to see now just how much quality these youngsters have. Only time will tell.”