O'Neill Would Love To Bring Heskey To Aston Villa

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Emile Heskey - England (PA)

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Martin O'Neill is clearly very keen about reuniting with Emile Heskey. The Irishman oversaw much of the England international's early career whilst manager at Leicester City, and has spoken today about his admiration for the player he sold to Liverpool for £11 million back in 2000.

The player's current club, Wigan Athletic, are keen to sell the player as his current contract expires in the summer and January will represent their last chance to collect a fee for the striker. The Latics are likely to ask £3 million for Heskey's services.

"Generally, the player who has six months left on his contract is in the driving seat," said O'Neill today, after talk at the weekend from Wigan chairman Dave Whelan about not wanting to miss out on a fee should Heskey decide to leave.

"It wouldn’t matter what the club says. You can’t force anything but I understand what Dave Whelan [the Wigan chairman] is saying: no one wants a quality player to run his course if you can avoid it," he continued. 

"Are we looking to see if we can strengthen our side? Absolutely, that’s what we’ll try and do. Did several clubs take notice of what Wigan said at the weekend? What do you think?"

Despite his keenness to bring the player to the Midlands, O'Neill is likely to face stiff competition for the player's signature from Everton, West Bromwich Albion and Liverpool as Heskey, at the age of 31, looks for one final fat contract before he retires.

He would suit Villa perfectly though. His unselfish style, physical presence and pace are just what O'Neill likes in his strikers. Heskey is good with his back to goal or with the ball in front of him, and he can run the channels or play as a target man.

He could well be Villa's missing piece as they build a side to challenge in the Champions League.

Zack Wilson, Goal.com