Villa manager Gerard Houllier has praised the attitude of Emile Heskey and claimed the striker has an important role to play in the remainder of the campaign.

The manager has used the veteran frontman sparingly over the past couple of months, with club-record signing Darren Bent having established himself as Houllier’s first choice.

Heskey has not started a Premier League since the 1-0 defeat to Sunderland at Villa Park in January when he was sent off.

But the Villa boss maintained that the 33-year-old former England international still has a part to play this season despite falling down the pecking order.

Houllier said: “Emile has got a fantastic attitude even when he is not playing. It is a joy to have him around and he is an absolutely great boy and we are blessed to have him.

“Obviously we have signed Darren Bent but he is not the same age as him and just because he is the number three striker it doesn’t mean he is not important.

“Karim Benzema is probably the number three striker at Real Madrid but he is just as important as the number one forward and has scored many goals this season.

“So Emile is as important as anyone in the team and he has a part to play. I thought about putting him on against Newcastle in place of Gabby Agbonlahor at the end, but I brought on Robert Pires because I wanted us to keep the ball.

“Everybody knows, and I am the first to know, what Emile can do because he is a good man and a good player who can change a game for us.”

Houllier was happy with several aspects of his side’s performance in the 1-0 win over Newcastle at the weekend, but is adamant there is still a lot of work to be done.

He said: “I will keep my feet on the ground because you only have to look what has happened to Sunderland, Blackpool and also to Albion for a time.

“I think there are a few things to be positive about but we are not immune from the situation so I think we have to be careful.

“Everybody is focused and there is a great desire to finish the season unbeaten and get as high as we possibly can in the table.”