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Ashley Westwood is dreaming of an England call-up after listening to his team-mates’ tales from the top.

The Villa ace has been quizzing fellow midfielders Fabian Delph and Tom Cleverley about the Three Lions camp as he tries to force his way in.

Westwood told the Birmingham Mail it’s his mission to break into Roy Hodgson’s senior squad after missing out on representing his country at youth level.

He also feels it won’t be too long before Cleverley finds his way back into the international set-up.

“Fab’s got his England call-up and Clevs is an international who I think will be back in there soon,” said the 24-year-old.

“I’m hoping to be in there soon, too. When I spoke to Fab about England he said he loved it.

“He’s talked about the top players he played with there. I’m made up for him because nobody deserves it more.”

Westwood is a regular for Villa and has improved massively since joining from Crewe in 2012.

In a deep-lying role he has performed well alongside Delph and Cleverley and he insists there is more to come.

“I think I’ve been steady,” he said, reflecting on his early-season form.

“Obviously I’m not that player that is going to score goals. I’m here to start play and break up the play. I think as a three in midfield we have been really good. We’ve really gelled and the defenders have been great.

“The three of us in there have got a real good understanding. We get on well too, which helps.

“Fab has put in a lot of hard work. Obviously he’s been doing his own stuff, which helps.

“He’s frighteningly quick, people don’t realise that, he just glides past you. You don’t expect him to do it.

“This season he’s taking his game to a new level and hopefully he can continue to get even better.”

Westwood was one of Villa’s non-international contingent to be given the weekend off.

Despite enjoying time with his family, he knows that being a part of the England squad in the future is where he wants to be.

Having never represented his country the Villa man is determined to achieve the honour and he knows that regular football for Villa is a must.

In the summer that looked unlikely with Carlos Sanchez arriving.

The Colombian was expected to take Westwood’s place following his £4.7 million move but in fact the reliable performer, who initially cost Villa under £1 million, has stepped up.

When asked if he feared for his place following the signing of the South American, the down-to-earth middle man said:

“It has kept me on my toes.

“Carlos came in on the back of a great World Cup and it was up to me to up my game and show the gaffer I should be playing.

“I’ve just done my best each game and that’s what I will continue to do. If Carlos gets in ahead of me, I will still be rooting for him in the side.

“We’ve got a great set of lads here now and I think there will be exciting times ahead.”