Shorey’s relief at ending Aston Villa exile

Apr 21 2009 By Mat Kendrick

NICKY Shorey has spoken of his relief at finally getting a run in Martin O’Neill’s team – but stopped short of committing his future to Villa.

The former Reading left-back has played the last three games after ending a frustrating five-month exile from Villa’s Premier League campaign.

And Shorey has quickly settled back into his stride with encouraging displays against Manchester United, Everton and West Ham.

But after asking manager O’Neill for a transfer during the January window, he is not looking any further ahead than this season.

Asked if he still has a future at Villa Park, Shorey replied: “Who knows? I am just taking it a game at a time. That is not for me to say.

“As long as I am here, I will be working hard and getting my head down and trying to play as best I can.

“If that is good enough for me to be at a club like Villa, then hopefully I will stay.

“I’m delighted just to be playing. That’s the bottom line.

“That’s the way it is but you are not so when you are not playing. Hopefully it will continue, but who knows?”

Shorey returned for Villa’s defeat at Old Trafford earlier this month for his first league game since the November home loss to Middlesbrough.