O'Leary urges Hendrie change

David O'Leary has warned Lee Hendrie to change his lifestyle for the sake of his career.

The Villa boss feels the midfielder's off-field antics are undermining his performances on it, and has urged the 28-year-old to mend his ways.

Hendrie, who has notched three goals in his last four games, often grabs column inches for his private life and O'Leary wants the England cap to calm down to help prolong his playing days.

"Lee has to take a look at himself," O'Leary stated. "He's a ducker and a diver.

"I had that perception of him when I was at Leeds - and he is what I thought he was.

"The only person who can change that is himself. He's 28 years of age now, but sometimes I think he's 28, going on 18.

"I've said to him, `Lee, you're 28 years of age now, you've got two kids, have a think about things son'.

"Look, I don't want Lee - or any of my players for that matter - to live like monks. But equally, I don't want them out on the razz every night.

"And I don't particularly want to see his name in the gossip columns.

"Of course, they can have a social life. But, be sensible. You have to be these days.

"He's 28 now and might not think it's a problem. But let's see how he is when he reaches 30.

"If you look after yourself properly, and it's not too late, you can put an extra couple of years on your career.

"If he can help himself by looking after himself better, then he might help me and the football club, and that has got to be good all around."

Hendrie admitted that off-field problems, like an acrimonious split from his wife, had seen him try to channel his energies into taking his frustrations out on the pitch.

However, he accepted that O'Leary was unhappy with his off-field profile.

"There is anger, frustration - everything in there," he said.

"You try to pack it all away and get on with the job.

"The gaffer has been brilliant with me but he doesn't like me being in the papers for other reasons."