Nicky Shorey: Martin O'Neill will take me to the top

Sep 9 2008 By Nick Davis

NICKY Shorey has worked for one of football’s good guys in the shape of Steve Coppell – and the defender can see a lot of similarities between his former mentor and Villa boss Martin O’Neill.

Now the summer signing from Reading hopes O’Neill can help him break back into the England set-up.

While many of his new team-mates are away on World Cup duty this week, Shorey remains at Villa’s Bodymoor Heath training ground preparing for next week’s gruelling schedule of three games in six days.

The 27-year-old left-back won two senior caps in his time at the Madejski Stadium and sees working with O’Neill’s exciting young and largely English squad as a way to catch Fabio Capello’s eye.

He said: “Once you play for England you want to keep on playing. I’ve had a taste of it and I really enjoyed it. It would be good to get back there but the first thing on my mind is trying to get into the Aston Villa team. I’ll take it one step at a time. I think it’s important for any club to have an English base and there are some quality English players here at Villa. Hopefully I can be part of that.

“I’m sure I am in the right place to be noticed by Fabio Capello.

“I got my opportunity from playing for Reading, so I’m sure they watch everyone. But just coming to a club like this and playing with the players that are here, hopefully that will bring the best out of me.”

As for his new manager, Shorey saw enough when the pair met to discuss terms to convince him Villa was the place to be.

He added: “He seemed like a friendly and honest man, which I’m used to with Steve Coppell. He’s similar to him and that’s great for me. He’s come across well and that’s a big, big factor in why I signed as well.

“I’m getting to that age where it was a case of now or never for me really. I’m just looking forward to that chance to progress and training with the players at this club will help me do that.”