GARY Cahill admits he is still pinching himself after Burnley's victory over Liverpool handed him his best night in football.

Cahill, 19, has had an amazing start to his professional career after making the leap from reserve team football with Aston Villa to forming part of one of the best defensive unites outside the Premiership.

And he admits the highlight so far was undoubtedly Tuesday night's stunning 1-0 FA Cup victory over Liverpool.

"That's definitely my best night in football yet and it hasn't really sunk in to be honest," admitted Cahill.

"When I first came to Burnley I made my debut against Tottenham and obviously that wasn't as good.

"I came in and was reading names on the back of shirts at first because I didn't know all the players, but it's been fantastic to beat Liverpool.

"I've played reserve team football for a long time now, and it's been great to make the step up.

"It was important to make the step up to see if I could handle it in this division - and it could have worked either way.

"If I had stepped up and not played really well, people could have said I can't handle the First Division, but I've taken the chance and it's great playing here."

Cahill found himself up against some familiar names on Liverpool shirts from his time with the England U20 side.

And he insisted that, despite the controversy raging over Rafael Benitiez's selection policy, none of the pleasure was lost by defeating a Reds team missing several first team regulars.

Cahill added: "I don't think their manager would have put players in if he didn't think they were good enough, so he thought his team was good enough to beat us on the day.

"Obviously it didn't work out like that, but I know about the likes of John Welsh from the England set-up and he's a good player.

"The same goes for Dave Raven, who I share a room with when we go away with England.

"But then they brought on Milan Baros, who is a great player. I've seen him play quite a few times, and played against him, funnily enough, for the reserves when he was coming back from injury.

"He's quality, and I had to have my eyes open for him."

After such a whirlwind few months, Cahill admitted is was an easy decision to stay on loan at Turf Moor until next summer once Aston Villa had given him their blessing.

And now, after eight clean sheets in 11 games, the sole aim is to continue to keep opponents at bay for the rest of the Championship campaign.

Cahill, who thanked central defensive partners John McGreal and Frank Sinclair for helping him to settle, added:"It was and it wasn't a big decision to stay here for the rest of the season.

"But if I wasn't going to play first team football at Aston Villa, I would rather be playing here.

"Keeping clean sheets is a team thing. I don't want to jinx it or anything, but I couldn't remember the last time we conceded a goal - I had to look

back through the programme!"