Martin O'Neill assures duo they have a future at Aston Villa

Jun 2 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

Reo-Coker made just two starts from the middle of January and then found himself having to settle for a place at right-back.

“Nigel missed a chunk of the season with a hamstring injury he picked up at Doncaster,” said O’Neill.

“I’m sure both would like to see the end of this season and start afresh again for the new one.

“It’s been frustrating for them but we need every able-bodied player that we have at the football club and we need players to perform at a high level if we are going to keep our position or maintain it.

“At this minute, with Gareth Barry and Stiliyan Petrov having done so well last season and us reverting to a 4-4-2 from when we had three players in the middle of the field, it has been tough.

“Now that John Carew is fit and we have added Emile Heskey to the squad we have some options.

“That gives us food for thought for next year again.

“If we qualify for the group stages of the Europa League we will need bodies, absolutely.”