Zat Knight today insisted he’s ready to grab his chance to help fire Villa into Europe after Curtis Davies was ruled out for the season.
Davies suffered a ruptured Achilles in Saturday’s draw at Arsenal, giving Knight an immediate chance to reclaim the centre-back spot he lost through suspension on December 29.
Villa don’t play again until the visit of Middlesbrough in nine days’ time, but Knight is determined to grab his chance.
“I feel for Curtis, as I would for anyone on my side. I wish him a speedy recovery,” said Knight.
“I’ve worked hard and now I’ve got the chance again and hopefully I can grab it with two hands.
“The goal for me now is to get a starting place against Middlesbrough. I think I put in a good enough performance at Arsenal but I can’t take anything for granted.
“I have to continue to out in 110 per cent in training.”
Knight revealed how manager Martin O’Neill has helped him kep his spirits up.
“He’s spoken to me several times and has told me to keep plugging away because my chance would come,” he said.
Victories for Everton and Liverpool yesterday left Villa sixth, two points off Liverpool but five adrift of the Toffees in the race for the final Champions League place.
O’Neill fears the two points lost may come back to “haunt” Villa, but he was delighted with their performance.
“It might come back to haunt us,” he said. “We’ve got 10 games to go. We must go out with the same drive and determination.
“Defensively we were as strong as we could possibly be, it was terrific.
“I’m not so sure whether Manchester United or Chelsea would have performed as well as we did.”
Nigel Reo-Coker’s back injury isn’t thought to be serious.
Meanwhile, Wilfred Bouma is out of contract in the summer but believes his future is at Villa, who must let him know by April 30 whether they’re taking up a 12-month option.
“I think my future is here,” he said. “It’s a good position for both Villa and for me. In my mind I know I’m doing well. I’m happy here, we’re all settled.”
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