Aston Villa Football Club News

• Nickname:The Villains
• Founded:1874
• Manager:Alex McLeish

• Ground:Villa Park
• Capacity:42,584

Heskey earns O'Neill plaudits

28 Jan 2009 - 09:07:14

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Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill was elated to see new signing Emile Heskey mark his club debut with the winning goal in the 1-0 victory at Portsmouth.

England striker Heskey netted the only goal of the game after 21 minutes at Fratton Park and linked up well with Gabby Agbonlahor in the absence of the injured John Carew and the suspended Ashley Young.

O'Neill told the club's official website: "I'm delighted with Emile. I thought he was excellent.

"Please God he'll stay fit because then it should be a great partnership with Gabby, who has had to work himself into the ground the last few weeks.

"Emile's goal was a great finish and it was a super display from him. He had never played with Gabby before, but I thought there was an instant rapport.

"It wasn't just his fantastic finish - I thought he helped Gabby out enormously. I was delighted with his overall performance.

"He was great, particularly when you consider he doesn't know the team at all. I was delighted for him.

"When he came off, I just said: 'Brilliant Emile'. I haven't got the word power of a Wordsworth, Milton or Chaucer, so I just told him he was brilliant."