Hendrie to leave Villa
Lee Hendrie has admitted he is not holding out any hope of staying at Aston Villa.
Lee Hendrie has admitted he is not holding out any hope of staying at Aston Villa.
The 29-year-old midfielder, currently on loan at Stoke, has played just seven minutes of Premiership football since Martin O'Neill took charge and, with his contract due to expire in the summer, he is now resigned to leaving Villa Park.
"I don't think I have a future at Villa," he told the Birmingham Mail. "There's been no talk of me signing a contract.
"I'm disappointed because I've said a few times I'd prefer to stay and I've been there such a long time."
However, he bears no grudge against O'Neill.
"Sometimes I wish I'd played better in some games and given myself more of a chance. Certain managers came in and fancied me and certain managers, such as Graham Taylor, didn't.
"Martin O'Neill has been pretty fair. He said he didn't think I would play much, so I went out on loan."
He remains confident about his future in the game, though, and is keen to return to the top flight to show he has what it takes.
"I know I'll bounce back really strong next season. I just feel like I've got a point to prove.
"It seems like I've been out of the Premiership for two years and I want to get back because the football is different in the Championship.
"My main aim is to get back in the Premier League again and start playing there because I feel I'm good enough."
Having enjoyed a successful spell at Stoke, he is not ruling out a permanent switch, but hinted that the club would have to gain promotion to clinch his signature.
"I'm going to weigh up all the possibilities. I'll look at any options that come along.
"It's been quality at Stoke and it would be great to see them go up.
"I could look back on that as one of the greatest achievements of my career. It would be superb because I've got nothing but praise for the manager, staff and the fans."
