Heskey the hero!

Friday, 14/10/2011

by Steven Green, Shoot's Aston Villa blogger

With the recent international break there has been little to report from Villa Park aside from how certain players are progressing with injuries.

Most of the players who did have fitness battles to contend with have won or are winning the race to be fit for the trip to Manchester City this weekend.

Form, however, is hot on the agenda. Marc Albrighton has been in the papers over the past two days discussing his disappointing start.

The young winger hasn’t been anywhere close to replicating the electric form he displayed last season and he has suggested that he’s struggled to live up to the high expectations placed on him by everyone at the club.

His confidence has been low and he admits to beating himself up about it but believes a run in the reserves will help to get his mojo working again. The midweek reserve win against Wolves surely helped, reportedly playing very well in the 2-1 victory over our neighbours.

One player though who is currently impressing the boss is former England striker Emile Heskey.

Unlike Albrighton, Heskey started the season reasonable well only losing his place in the squad because of injury and the great form of the clubs other strikers. According to reports boss Alex McLeish has likened the lumbering forward to German legend Franz Beckenbauer!

Heskey has been training in defence this week and has been showing off his skills by spraying passes around the pitch like a proverbial quarterback much like the German World Cup winner used to.

Fans will remember that he’s not the first hulking striker to play at the back in recent years, during his final season at the club Dion Dublin made the switch and filled in during an injury crisis and despite not playing in his usual role still managed to score.

In light of this rumours of a new deal for Heskey have been flying around the Internet. This won’t please many fans despite his new-found versatility as many see him as a millstone to the clubs wage bill and he was widely expected to be moved on during the transfer window.

It’s probably too early to make any decisions on Heskey but in my eyes any player who wants to stay and can prove they’re worthy is welcome here, whether it be in attack or defence.

Expect more developments in the new year!

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