Revealed: How Emile Heskey snubbed Liverpool for Aston Villa

Jan 24 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

MARTIN O’Neill has hinted that Emile Heskey snubbed Liverpool in favour of a move to Villa to boost his England World Cup dream.

The Villa boss was finally reunited with his former Leicester prodigy last night when Heskey agreed a £3.5million switch from Wigan.

O’Neill suggested the prospect of regular football and security of a three-and-a-half-year deal probably swung it in Villa’s favour.

Heskey was widely expected to see out his contract at the JJB Stadium and join Liverpool on a free transfer in the summer.

But O’Neill knew Villa could hijack the deal because football’s rules prevent pre-contract agreements being made between two clubs in the same country.

And the Irishman wore a wry smile while denying that beating fierce rival Rafa Benitez to the 31-year-old’s signature gave him any added satisfaction. “I’m sure that Emile has a driving ambition to be in that England party and be on that plane to go to South Africa next year and I think this is his chance,” said O’Neill.

“Eventually things might not work out, but at this minute it feels really good because I think he’ll be great for us.

“If Liverpool were one of the teams he might look and see they are not playing a £20million player every single week.

“They’ve got Fernando Torres, who’s one of the best players in world football, and they’re able to change things round.