Source: Daily_Mail
Alex McLeish heaps praise on Emile Heskey
Up for the battle: Heskey has been playing through the pain barrier [LNB]Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish has revealed he is continuing to select veteran striker Emile Heskey despite him suffering an achilles problem because of his importance to the team. [LNB]Heskey has been operating in a deeper role this season but again showed his worth during Saturday's 3-2 home win over Norwich.[LNB] McLeish admits 33-year-old Heskey is unable to complete a full game in his current condition but is full of praise for his efforts. [LNB]The Scot said: 'Emile again worked tirelessly for the team on Saturday even though he has an ongoing problem with his achilles. [LNB]'The situation is such that we can't really play him for the full 90 minutes. [LNB]'But he is effective in the team with the contribution he makes and the appreciation of his team-mates for him and what he gives is there to see.'[LNB] Centre of attention: McLeish says Petrov's injury is not a serious setback [LNB]McLeish is hoping Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov's hamstring problem, which forced him to be substituted in the second half, is not a serious setback. [LNB]He said: 'Stiliyan felt a little niggle in his hamstring. He thinks he caught it just in time but we'll get him on the treatment table. [LNB]'He couldn't go on. He would have become a liability in midfield for us.'[LNB]
