HENDRIE TOO GOOD TO LET GO?

LEE HENDRIE has become yet another player at Villa Park who has voiced his disquiet at the state of affairs at the club. He suggested that if he were not to be assured of a place in John Gregory's plans then he would see out his contract and leave for nothing.

But should Hendrie be assured a place and if he were to leave, what does he have to offer? Opta took a look at the youngster's stats.

Hendrie has attempted over 1,300 passes for his side and found a team-mate with a very respectable 79% of them. Those passes have led to five goal assists in the Premiership during the course of the 2000-01 Premiership season and only Paul Merson has set up more for the midland side.

Not only has Hendrie worked very well as a provider, he has also weighed in with six strikes of his own and considering his position, that is a very positive return. During the 2000-01 season the Aston Villa forwards have had a forgetful time and, overall, Villa only hit the target with 39% of their efforts. When you consider that was the worst return in the top flight, it just goes to highlight how valuable Hendrie's strikes have been. His personal shooting accuracy of 48% is better than the club's overall return.

The defensive side of his game has also been commendable. Of the 49 tackles that he has attempted, Hendrie has won 69% of them and with 42 clearances, blocks and interceptions to his name then it appears that Villa have a true prospect on their hands. At 23-years of age then there is so much more to come from this potential star.

His confidence on the ball is also one of the aspects of Hendrie's game that will improve in time. But with 43 successful dribbles and runs to his name from last season it is obvious that he is already willing to turn defence into attack with aplomb.

Aston Villa have made enquiries about Hassan Kachloul and Frank Lampard and it must be a worrying time for Hendrie as they would pose a certain threat to his place in the side and ambitions for club and country. But if John Gregory intends to turn Villa into a side that can win trophies then letting players like this international go would seem to be a backward move. If Hendrie does see out his contract and leave for nothing then there will be other clubs forming a queue for the signature of this player. That is something that Spurs fans will only too readily testify is a frustrating and disappointing thing to witness.