Martin O'Neill rates the captures of Richard Dunne and James Collins among his best pieces of transfer business.

The defensive duo were snapped up last summer and have been consistent performers since arriving at Villa Park.

The manager has been "thrilled" with their contributions to the Villa cause and admits their signings have proved to be excellent value.

He said: "I think that things worked out well for us. Obviously we wanted Richard for some time but nothing was guaranteed.

"I think that Manchester City, with them having signed [Joleon] Lescott, they were obviously prepared to let Richard go.

"I'm absolutely thrilled he decided to come to us because I suppose there was still the opportunity of him seeing out his contract at Manchester City.

"But he wanted to play and we took advantage of that and he has been fantastic value.

"You mention Collins as well and the two of them at £5m each have been fantastic value."

Dunne and Collins once again display their qualities in Saturday's goalless draw at Stoke City.

The pair successfully dealt with the aerial and physical threats of Tony Pulis's team.

In one instance, Dunne timed a last-ditch tackle to perfection as Ricardo Fuller was heading towards the Villa goal.

O'Neill added: "They had to throw themselves at the ball. Not just that, there was Dunne's tackle when he had already been booked in the game and he had to be very, very careful.

"In the second half he got that challenge in on Fuller and it went out for a corner kick.

"It was brilliantly timed. Richard can read those situations excellently."

Meanwhile, O'Neill is set to call upon his fringe players for a hectic finale to the Barclays Premier League season.

The Villa boss admits his squad face a major endurance test in the closing stages of the campaign, with 11 league games packed into a tight schedule.

It means the manager will almost certainly have to rotate his starting line-up in the coming weeks.

And he has told Villa's squad players they all have a vital part to play.

The claret and blues chief said: "What I would say is, because of these games coming thick and fast now, this will test us really to see if we have the wherewithal.

"It would be a real surprise if the same team was going to play every single week. They just wouldn't be able to cope.

"But again it will be interesting because we've got young Fabian Delph who is definitely going to be a player and we've got other players just waiting.

"Every player will be called upon. It is as simple as that."