Aston Villa: Portsmouth reveal why Nicky Shorey deal collapsed

Sep 3 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

“I think he believed he would just walk into the team and stay there for the season.

“It had to be pointed out that we do have competition for places at this club.

“I understand the boy’s situation, he was not getting in the team at Villa and wanted to play regularly.

“He came down and had a good chat with Paul and quite rightly we could not guarantee he would come down here and play week in, week out.

“There was the situation that even if he played against Bolton in our next match, he wouldn’t be allowed to appear against Villa in the one after that.

“Nicky didn’t want that and in the end it was agreed not to go ahead with the loan after all.

“There are no hard feelings, that’s just how it was and I wish the lad good luck.”

Instead Shorey, who has failed to settle at Villa Park, must return to compete with new-boy Stephen Warnock for Villa’s No.3 berth.

Meanwhile, Martin O’Neill is happy at the progress being made by his two injured left-footers, Wilfred Bouma (ankle) and Stewart Downing (foot).

“Freddy’s not doing too badly but it will still take a wee bit of time,” said O’Neill.

“The Birmingham game would be early for Freddie. I think he is pretty happy with the way things are going.

“Stewart is also doing fine. He is doing a little bit of straight-line running at the moment.

“It will be a few weeks yet before they take out the screw in his foot.

“He is happy with his progress and we are just taking it slowly.”