Villa fringe men urged to step up
The likes of Steve Sidwell, Nigel Reo-Coker, Habib Beye, Nicky
Shorey, Luke Young and Curtis Davies will be available to move if
the price is right although they all have at least 12 months of
their current contracts remaining. But O’Neill points to Wales
international Bale, who re-established himself at White Hart Lane
under Harry Redknapp last season, as an example of how quickly
situations can change. He said: “Look at how Harry Redknapp has
gone and re-entrusted players again like Gareth Bale. He was out of
the picture at Tottenham, then came back into the side and did
brilliantly. “That sort of things happens at every club and I keep
saying this to some of our players who have obviously been
disappointed at not playing. “It changes so quickly. You play
really well in a game, you might get unlucky to be left out next
time. But then, the second time, there’s no reason to be left out
and it just goes on from there.” O’Neill admits any player who
makes a favourable impression will come under consideration for a
place in the starting line-up despite the success of last season.
Villa finished sixth in the Premier League and reached the final of
the Carling Cup and semi-finals of the FA Cup. O’Neill said: “I
think the players here last season did remarkably well. Let’s take
the example of James Milner. He went straight into the midfield and
had a season never to forget. “But that doesn’t mean if another
player steps in and does really well in the team, that he can’t
cement his place.” Villa will not be at full strength when they
report back for pre-season training on Thursday. The England trio
of Milner, Emile Heskey and Stephen Warnock have been allowed
additional time off after their involvement in the World Cup, along
with United States goalkeeper Brad Guzan.