Bannan: Driving test was more nerve-racking than United game

Aston Villa ­sensation Barry Bannan said he was more nervous about his driving test than facing Manchester United.

Scottish midfielder Bannan, 20, was one of Villa’s top performers in their exciting 2-2 draw with United.

The Glaswegian made just his third Premier League start due to boss Gerard Houllier’s huge injury crisis.

Bannan was thrilled with his display but is still upset about failing his driving test at the first attempt four days earlier.

“It just didn’t go well,” said Bannan.

“I had one major fault, I just couldn’t get the car to parallel park.

“I was definitely more nervous ahead of my driving test than playing against Manchester United. I never get nervous on a football pitch.

“My driving test – I started shaking, I have never had a feeling like it.”

Houllier was missing 11 players against United with the likes of Nigel Reo-Coker, Stiliyan Petrov, Emile Heskey and John Carew crocked. But ex-Villa trainees Bannan, Marc Albrighton and Jonathan Hogg all stepped up as Villa extended their unbeaten run to four League matches.

Bannan is now set to make his full international debut for Scotland against the Faroe Islands tomorrow.

He added: “A few of the younger boys have shown how good they really are.

“We showed here we can handle it against the best players in the league.”