Nigel Reo-Coker backed to star again
Tuesday 28th September 2010, 9:44AM BST.
Villa winger Stewart Downing believes renaissance man Nigel Reo-Coker has re-established himself as a key man in the team.
Reo-Coker was outstanding in Villa’s victory at Wolves on Sunday and has started both of the claret and blues’ games under new boss Gerard Houllier.
The midfielder’s Villa career looked to be heading for the rocks 12 months ago when he was involved in a furious training ground bust-up with then manager Martin O’Neill and made available for transfer in the summer.
But Reo-Coker has fought his way back into the first-team fold and is currently keeping out Villa’s only summer signing Stephen Ireland – which has left his team-mates have been left thoroughly impressed.
Downing said: “Nigel has come in and is doing very well. Stephen Ireland has come to a new club and he’s finding it hard to get into the team.
“I am sure he’s disappointed but Nigel is playing well and he deserves to play. That’s the way it is for anyone in the team. It doesn’t matter who you are. If you play well, you’re in the team.
“I really think that’s healthy competition and brings out performances.”
Reo-Coker arrived for £8.5million from West Ham in 2007 and James Collins, who also played with him at Upton Park, is keen to remind people how young he is.
He added: “I’ve know Nigel a long time since my West Ham days. Whenever he has been called upon, he has been spot on.
“Nigel has got something, he wouldn’t be at a club like Villa if he didn’t, and is only 26.”
UK Sport
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