PHIL NEVILLE has defended brother Gary against stinging criticism from Chelsea manager Andre Villa-Boas by claiming even the people of Liverpool have been impressed by his punditry.

Villa-Boas was riled by recent comments from former Manchester United right-back Neville who, in his new role as an expert on Sky Sports, described David Luiz as “being controlled by a 10-year-old on a PlayStation” and questioned the atmosphere in the Stamford Bridge dressing room.

A clearly unhappy Portuguese slammed such “comic criticism” while also accusing ex-Liverpool trio Alan Hansen, Graeme Souness and Daily Post columnist Mark Lawrenson of bias.

But Everton skipper Neville believes his brother has swiftly won over any doubters with his honest assessments and impartial observations.

“I think it’s pretty good viewing, to be honest,” said the Goodison man. “He’s been fantastic, and I think he has impressed everybody.

“I work on Merseyside where opinions were divided when he got the job, but he has won over a lot of people by being honest.

“The feedback I’m getting is that the people in Liverpool feel that way. He is just saying it as he sees it, and that’s all you can ask for from a pundit.

“He’s always had strong opinions and people like listening to him, I know I certainly do.

“On a Monday night, I think it’s fascinating hearing someone talk who knows what he is talking about.”

Neville added: “I don’t think he has been outspoken at all. That’s the one thing he hasn’t been. He has just been totally honest. He’s done United games, City games, Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea ones, and I think he’s always given a fair view on what’s been happening.

“Even though he is a die-hard United fan, since he has been on Sky he has been pretty impartial in my view.”