FORGOTTEN frontman Emile Heskey has been assured that he could still have an important part to play during Villa’s survival run-in.

Heskey has lost his place to Darren Bent and has not started a Premier League game since his sending off against Sunderland in early January.

But manager Gerard Houllier insists the claret and blues must be able to count on all of the squad during their final six games of the season.

Heskey was one of Villa’s most consistent performers with six goals during the first half of the season after starting to confound his critics.

However, Houllier’s preference for playing record signing Bent up front on his own has limited the former Liverpool striker’s opportunities.

“Emile has got a fantastic attitude even when he is not playing,” said Houllier.

“It is a joy to have him around, he is a great boy and we are blessed to have him.

“Obviously, we have signed Darren Bent but Emile is not the same age as him and just because he is the number three striker it doesn’t mean he is not important.

“Karim Benzema is probably the number three striker at Real Madrid but he is just as important as the number one forward and has scored many goals this season.

“So Emile is as important as anyone in the team and he has a part to play.”

Heskey is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench again at West Ham on Saturday with Gabby Agbonlahor overcoming the knock which forced him off against Newcastle.