Villa chief's pledge to Hendrie

8 november 2006, 11:20

Koen Freriks

Lee Hendrie has been assured by Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill he will have a part to play when he returns from a two-month loan spell with Stoke.

Hendrie has temporarily joined the Coca-Cola Championship club to regain match sharpness after early-season injury niggles and a lack of first-team opportunities and has played a major role in their rise up the table. And the one-time England midfielder is desperate to make an impact at Villa after a frustrating time under O'Neill's predecessor, David O'Leary.

Hendrie said: "Villa is where I belong. It's where I've spent a big part of my life. Being away from there makes me want to get back into the team."