Aston Villa Football Club News

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

• Ground:Villa Park
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Emile encouraged to be selfish

12 Sep 2009 - 10:25:02

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Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has urged striker Emile Heskey to be a bit more selfish in his bid to improve his goal return for both club and country.

The 31-year-old frontman has netted four goals in 18 appearances for Villa since his arrival from Wigan Athletic in January, but remains a firm favourite with England head coach Fabio Capello.

O'Neill said: "People have said that Emile feels he hasn't settled in completely at Villa yet. That might be a point.

"What Emile can offer for us is there for all to see. What I think he can do and he feels this himself, is score more goals or get more attempts on goal, being a bit selfish.

"I think he has been selfless as a player. He has earned that right to be a bit more selfish and a bit more assertive in front of goal.

"That is something he will want to do more often, because it is part of his game that was once there.

"Sometimes you are a provider for other centre-forwards and goal poachers. You can be given that tag and you stop doing the things that have helped you during your career."