Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Stephen Warnock has fallen in love with football again at Aston Villa
Friday 16th December 2011, 10:56AM GMT.
Aston Villa defender Stephen Warnock today revealed he has fallen back in love with football after playing in every minute of the club’s Premier League season so far.
The left-back endured a difficult period under former Villa boss Gerard Houllier, in which he was frozen out of the first-team squad and forced to train with the reserves.
But since Alex McLeish replaced the Frenchman, who quit the club in the summer because of a heart problem, the 30-year-old has been an ever-present in the side.
And McLeish has been rewarded by some consistent performances from the former England international.
Warnock said: “I am loving it. It’s good to be playing again and I am enjoying it thoroughly.
“I’ve always looked forward to training. I am fortunate to have the best job in the world in that respect. But it’s good to be back in and around on match days.
“I am enjoying that side of it again, challenging yourself every week. That match-day buzz is tremendous.”
Warnock is set to line up against former club Liverpool on Sunday and admitted Villa’s opponents will always have a special place in his heart.
The Ormskirk-born defender rose through the academy ranks at Anfield and went on to make 67 senior appearances.
He said: “As a kid, I would have been happy to play just one game for Liverpool.
“However, that goes out the window when I step out on the pitch and my focus is completely on Villa.”
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