Aston Villa FC

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Knight wants Villa role back

27 Jun 2008 - 08:58:22

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Aston Villa defender Zat Knight is determined to win back his starting place for the coming season.

Knight, 28, joined the Midlands club in a £3.5million deal from Fulham last summer and was first choice at the heart of the back four alongside Martin Laursen during the first half of the campaign.

However, he slipped down the pecking order behind Curtis Davies as the campaign progressed, but has set his sights on returning to the starting line-up when the new season gets underway in August.

Knight ended up making 28 appearances in his debut season at Villa Park after Davies ended the year on the sidelines with an Achilles injury.

"Curtis will be breathing down my neck when he's back. The manager might bring in reinforcements but hopefully I will get the nod," he told the club's official website.

"Before I signed, the manager asked me if I was up for the challenge because, at the time, he had three centre-halves and wanted to bring in Curtis.

"But that's what I want. I'm confident in my ability and I have to keep on my toes because if I have a bad game someone else will be given the opportunity."