EMILE Heskey is set to start Saturday’s Premier League kick-off at Fulham after impressing Alex McLeish in an unorthodox left-wing role during pre-season.
McLeish has hinted at keeping faith in Heskey for the trip to Craven Cottage and believes the striker’s experience could be invaluable to Villa this season.
With Charles N’Zogbia expected to get the nod on the right wing, Heskey could keep his place on the left flank against Martin Jol’s Cottagers.
Not since his early days at Leicester under Martin O'Neill has Heskey had a regular role on the flank.
Heskey enters the final year of his contract hoping to win over the claret and blue faithful once and for all after a mixed two-and-a-half-year stay so far.
The 33-year-old showed his best form during the early parts of Gerard Houllier’s rein before losing his place to Darren Bent after Christmas.
There was speculation Heskey’s former club Leicester would come in for him this summer, but a £1 million price tag and £50,000-per-week wages put them off.
McLeish is happy to keep the former England forward for the final 12 months of his deal because his years of Premier League know-how can help Villa’s young squad.
“His experience is phenomenal,” said McLeish. “He has enormous experience. He has played for England at the top level, he has played for several top managers over the years so he has learnt a lot.
“Discarding his kind of knowledge and his skills would be crazy. I have to tap in to a guy like that. I have to use him to the full.
“There is no guarantee Emile will play every single week but he has certainly impressed me in pre-season.
“Against Braga you saw Emile getting in the box, he had another terrific game. I’ve been very impressed with the guy as a man, he’s a humble pro.”
Fulham have a head-start over Villa in terms of match fitness having kicked off their season with an early Europa League tie on June 29.
Since then they have played another five competitive games in Europe and McLeish watched their 2-0 home victory over NK Split, of Croatia, last week.
He has challenged his players to win their individual battles to produce a collective performance good enough to kick off Villa’s campaign with a positive result.
“This weekend we play a very good Fulham side,” said McLeish.
“They are very sure in themselves and it will be a tough opener for us, but we plan on going down there and upsetting that.
“I saw them last week in a European game and they won that routinely.
“They are a very well-drilled side with no little skill also.
“We have to make sure our lads are aware of what Fulham can do. But at the same time there are no real surprises there for any of our players.
“They know the Fulham boys inside out.
“It’s about making sure you’re on top of your opponent and the 50-50 battles. If we dominate those players we have a good chance of getting a good result.”
Jean Makoun and Chris Herd will sign club merchandise at an autograph session for supporters at the Villa Village store at Villa Park from 2.30-3.30pm today.
