Emile Heskey backs Villa for England

Emile Heskey has insisted Villa can provide the backbone of England's new team – as he reiterated his own commitment to the club.

With his future as national coach now clarified, Fabio Capello has already made it clear he plans to introduce new blood following a shambolic showing at the World Cup.

And Heskey, who will "wait and see" on his own England future, reckons fellow squad members in South Africa James Milner and Stephen Warnock aren't the only Villa stars with a part to play in the qualification campaign for the European Championships in 2012.

He said: "I think there is a great group of players behind this on. Didn't the under -21s get to a final? The under-17s, too, became European champions.

"James Milner has just been promoted to the senior squad and there's some good new lads coming through. So yes, I still think the future is safe.

"Look at Villa. As well as James, there's English players in Stewart Downing, Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor.

"I don't think there will be a new, huge batch of players sweeping into the England squad. There's going to be fresh players, though, younger ones.

"There's going to be some experienced players still doing their thing.

"But we will have young legs in there too so, fingers crossed, everything is bright in my mind."

But Heskey remained tight-lipped on his own international future.

He added: "We will have to wait and see.

"There will be young players breaking through but you still need experienced players."

Heskey, 32, has been linked with Stoke this summer but rubbished speculation over his future.

He added: "I'm happy there. We've got a good squad – young lads, English lads. Fingers crossed we will do well in the new season."

Meanwhile, West Ham and Fulham look set for a £3m tug of war over Steve Sidwell after the Hammers, who have already seen two bids knocked back for Albion's Graham Dorrans, entered the race for the midfielder.

Bolton and Blackburn are also interested in the former Chelsea man but Hammers boss Avram Grant is believed to be in the driving seat having managed the player at Stamford Bridge.

Villa are still to receive any further contact from Manchester City over Milner, while any attempt by Liverpool to land Ashley Young would receive short shrift.