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Heskey set for Villa exit

Image: Emile Heskey: Set to leave Villa in the summer but has no plans to retire

Emile Heskey accepts his time at Aston Villa is coming to an end but has not given up on playing Premier League football.

Striker open-minded about Leicester return

Emile Heskey accepts his time at Aston Villa is coming to an end but has not given up on playing Premier League football. The former England international is set to play the final game of his three-and-a-half-year deal with Villa at Norwich on Sunday. And although the 34-year-old has been linked with a return to former club Leicester in the summer, he has an open mind about what lies ahead. He said: "I've enjoyed my spell at Villa. We got to the Carling Cup final, and an FA Cup semi-final. It gave me the chance at Wembley again so I can't complain. "But there are no contract talks with Villa so I will be looking elsewhere. "I haven't got a club (lined up) to be honest. Obviously my contract is up so I just take it day by day and see what crops up. "But I want to carry on playing. I'm 34, I still feel I can play so I don't see why I need to retire just now. "I still want to play at Premier League level. From when I started, I always said I wanted to play at the highest level wherever that might be. You always strive for that."

Possibility

Asked about a possible move to Leicester, Heskey said: "There is nothing on that. There is a possibility that might happen. "I'm not going to turn anything down. I'll look at anything, have a little break, and then see what offers there are." There is continuing speculation over manager Alex McLeish's future after a difficult first season at the club, with survival only assured with one game to spare. But Heskey believes Villa need to strengthen their squad regardless of who the manager is. He added: "Will McLeish still be manager? Best to ask the powers that be. I don't see why not. We are more or less safe now so he will be looking forward to next year. "But I think a few more players are needed. I think we needed a few more players this season but he battled on with what he had. "I'm sure Alex will have people he wants on his radar and hopefully he gets them in."

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