ANDREAS Weimann has thanked Emile Heskey for helping him close in on a first team call-up after hitting the claret and blue comeback trail this week.
Weimann bagged a brace in his first match back for the reserves - Monday's extraordinary 10-1 win over Arsenal - following a five month injury lay off.
The Austrian striker had been out of action since rupturing ankle ligaments on his heart-breaking return to Rapid Vienna in the Europa League in August.
But now the 19-year-old is targeting a role with Gerard Houllier's first team squad after picking up tips from Heskey during training at Bodymoor Heath.
Weimann has also received encouragement from the manager and with Villa's current lack of strike options could make the bench before the month is out.
"Emile has been great when I’ve trained with the first team," said Weimann. "He is always trying to help me with things like where to position myself and what I should try and do. He is very helpful to train with.
"When I’ve trained with the first team the manager has asked me in every training session if my ankle is still sore and asked if everything is ok. He told me to just keep working in training, work hard and never give up.
