Source: Team_Talk
Heskey yet to settle in at Villa
The powerful frontman moved to Villa from Wigan in January but has struggled to make an impact in his new surroundings.
With competition for places fierce under a 4-5-1 system favoured by Martin O'Neill, the 31-year-old accepts that he needs to raise his game in order to be involved on a regular basis.
Heskey is also aware that he needs to rediscover his form at Villa if he has any intention of remaining part of the England set-up.
"I'm still finding my feet at Villa," admitted Heskey in the Birmingham Mail.
"It's nice to be involved in the England games and hopefully I will get more games at Villa.
"Do I need to get myself into the Villa team to keep me in there? Definitely. I've got to get into the Villa team, but I'm confident in my ability.
"I don't know why it hasn't gone so well at Villa. I'm just concentrating on doing my best and trying to put the performances in.
"There are three strikers there, so with the 4-5-1 it's difficult. I'm sure the manager will try to rotate it because there will be a lot of games, so you just have to be on your toes and ready."
The opportunity to compete at next summer's World Cup is providing the motivation for a number of players this season, and Hesky is no different.
He has acquired over 50 caps for his country in the last decade, but knows he cannot afford to take his place in Fabio Capello's plans for granted with so many talented strikers waiting in the wings to step into his boots.
"It's a great achievement for me to have played over 50 times for my country," said Heskey.
"Motivation is playing football. Obviously you've got different carrots dangling in front of you.
"I want to just do well for Aston Villa and see what happens from there. Once you're doing well for your club, all sorts of doors open.
"Obviously with the World Cup next year you want to do well for your club to have that opportunity to play in it.
"You just want to do as well as you possibly can. You look at last season and want to try and improve on that. It doesn't always happen that way, but that's your main objective."
