McLeish backs N'Zobia to shine

30 September 2011 15:30
Alex McLeish believes winger Charles N'Zogbia will be ready to kick-start his Aston Villa career when he faces Wigan at Villa Park on Saturday.[LNB] McLeish paid £9.5 million to sign the French international from Wigan during the summer after the sale of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing to Manchester United and Liverpool respectively.[LNB]N'Zogbia has only shown flashes of his best form but McLeish feels a reunion with his former team-mates could be the catalyst for him to return to the top of his game.[LNB]McLeish said: "If selected, I would expect Charles to shine and show his old team-mates what they are missing.[LNB]"They know, and we know, what he is capable of. What's eluding Charles at the moment is just that final ball.[LNB]"It's just the final thing. He is snatching at shots and maybe trying to overcook a pass when he should keep it simple. He's been maybe trying too hard sometimes.[LNB]"Charles has been energetic and you have to give him credit for working for the team as well, as you saw against QPR. I know that some wingers don't like running back."[LNB]Villa are still unbeaten in the Premier League but McLeish admits to being frustrated at dropped points against the likes of Newcastle and QPR.[LNB]He insists Villa are still a work in progress after the exodus of several experienced players during the summer.[LNB]He said: "I'm a bit frustrated because the start could have been even better.[LNB]"But I am sure it will come in time and the players are gelling together.[LNB]"It is not an overnight job when you had the decimation (of the squad) we suffered in the summer.[LNB]"We have lost a lot of players, with Downing and Young going, and we are trying to rebuild a bit with some good young players and one or two signings.[LNB]"It is a building process, we are a work in progress. It is a brand new dawn and we are looking for our creative players to do the business for us."[LNB]Wigan boss Roberto Martinez was strongly linked with a move to become Villa manager in the summer as Gerard Houllier's successor before McLeish was appointed.[LNB]McLeish admires the Spaniard but prefers to concentrate on the future than discuss his possible move to Villa.[LNB]He said: "I understand Roberto was not offered the job so it is not something we are going to dwell on.[LNB]"I don't know why we are wasting time on it. I'd rather talk about the Wigan game and going forward.[LNB]"Why are we going over the old ground? It doesn't really matter. It's irrelevant."[LNB]Villa have received a treble fitness boost with Darren Bent (groin) Emile Heskey (hamstring)and James Collins (ankle) all available.[LNB]But a doubt remains over whether midfielder Jermaine Jenas will be ready to face the Latics even though he has returned to training after his thigh injury.[LNB]

Source: Team_Talk