“I didn’t fancy the aggro” – Move from Birmingham City to Aston Villa not worth it for former player

Emile Heskey has revealed that he had the chance to sign for Aston Villa directly from Birmingham City but turned down the move.

The 40 year old played for both Birmingham clubs during his 22 year career and his arrival at Villa Park was seen as a controversial move.

Speaking to FourFourTwo, the former England international was asked about upsetting the Birmingham City fans when he signed for Aston Villa from Wigan Athletic: “Martin (O’Neill) tried to sign me for Celtic when he I was at Liverpool and he also wanted me at Birmingham, but I couldn’t have done it that way round. I didn’t fancy the aggro but when I did eventually join Villa, Birmingham’s fans were absolutely fine with me.”

Heskey spent two seasons at Birmingham City following his move to St Andrews from Liverpool in 2004. The player would go on to make 68 league appearances for the West Midland club, scoring 14 goals.

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In 2009 he was reunited with his former Leicester City manager Martin O’Neill at Villa Park, after a spell with Wigan Athletic. He would go on to spend three seasons at Aston Villa, making nearly 100 Premier League appearances for the club.

Heskey clearly respects both former clubs, and it’s no surprise he was against a move directly between them.

ND