Heskey not ready to retire

Emile Heskey believes he can still play at the highest level despite being set to leave Aston Villa at the end of the season.

Sunday’s clash with Norwich City is likely to be the 34-year-old’s last game for the Birmingham club, with his contract expiring this year.

But the former Liverpool striker insists he sees no reason why he should hang up his boots just yet.

Heskey told reporters: “I haven’t got a club to be honest. Obviously my contract is up so I just take it day by day and see what crops up. I’m 34, I still feel I can play so I don’t see why I need to retire just now. There are no contract talks with Villa so I will be looking elsewhere.

“From when I started, I always said I wanted to play at the highest level wherever that might be. You always strive for that.”

A 1-1 draw with Tottenham ensured Premier League safety for Villa last weekend, and Heskey blamed injuries to players such as Darren Bent for dragging Alex McLeish’s side into the relegation battle.

“Avoiding relegation is a massive weight off our shoulders,” he said.

“We have left it late but the lads have been battling on. It’s been very difficult for us and we’ve had a lot of injuries, but we’ve got on with it, battled through and that is what you get from us.”

“It has been difficult, missing Benty (Bent) as well. That’s been one big thing for us and all of us have been getting niggly injuries.

“Also missing our captain Stan (Stiliyan Petrov). Just having him on the pitch at times is a massive boost to the lads and we’ve missed him since he is having his own little battle. But we did it for him and did it for the club.

“You’ve just got to rally. The lads are capable of winning games. Sometimes when you get into a bit of a rut, your head gets down and you can’t find yourselves getting out of it. But we’ve all got to stick together and rally and try and push ourselves forward.”

The striker also praised Villa manager Alex McLeish, who has come under increasing pressure since his arrival from rivals Birmingham City last year.

“He is a battler, he will battle on. I think we needed a few more players. I’m sure Alex will have people on his radar and hopefully get them in,” Heskey said.