Heskey: I won’t quit Villa

Aston Villa forward Emile Heskey says he is committed to the club and does not want to leave.

The 31-year-old was quoted earlier in the week saying he might have to change clubs in January if he is going to ensure his place in Fabio Capello’s England squad for next year’s World Cup.

When asked if he was concerned about his lack of first-team opportunities at Villa, he was quoted in The Guardian as saying: “I will have to sit down and think about my next move.

“I don’t know whether I can get a World Cup place if I’m not playing for Villa.”

But the striker has told Villa’s official website: “I didn’t say I want to quit Villa or anything like that.

“The manager knows what I’m like. I have spoken to him and explained the quotes. I think the manager knew anyway that certain things weren’t said.

“After a game, you are faced with about 10million questions. Most of my replies were one-word answers and then I read headlines saying I’m going to quit Villa and things like that. It confused me a little.

“You try and go over the questions you were asked and piece together things you said, trying to work out when I said I was going to quit Villa.

“I’m not running away from things. You have to embrace the challenge. These are the hurdles you have to get over, I’ve said that before.

“I am here, I am a Villa player and in spite of what the headlines say, I’m not going to quit.”