Ryan Bertrand hopes Villa form will earn England call-up
Villa new-boy Ryan Bertrand today admitted he is in the last chance saloon as he eyes a late World Cup bid.
The Chelsea loanee is desperate to gatecrash the England squad for the tournament in Brazil this summer.
He is in line for his home debut in tomorrow's derby with Albion as he tries to force his way back into Roy Hodgson's team.
Two-cap Bertrand last played for England against Ukraine in 2012 during the Three Lions' World Cup qualifying campaign.
Denmark in March is England's only game before the end of the season and the left-back knows he needs to act fast to challenge Ashley Cole, Leighton Baines and Kieran Gibbs.
"At the back of my mind, telling the truth, you would have to be involved in that one (Denmark). It's only a friendly but he will have to work on the team for that one," said Bertrand.
"It's as close as it's ever been for who plays left-back. I just need to keep my games going consistently.
I think it will be in near enough every English players mind that's played in the Premier League now.
As long as my form is good and I play enough games then you will always be in the hat.
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/cleardot.gifBertrand looked for a move after Cesar Azpilicueta replaced Ashley Cole ahead of him at Stamford Bridge.
The 24-year-old dismissed any rift with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho but admitted he needed to leave west London for the sake of his career.
"I have always looked for progression in my career,' he said.
"Since I was back at Chelsea after being on loan for so long I have gone from 15 games to 20 odd to 30 odd. I couldn't see that progression again this season.
"As soon as the alarm bells started to ring I knew I needed to fix it. As a player, when I was younger, I saw it happen to certain players here and there and truth be told I always said I'd never accept that. "I don't think as a professional player you can accept another player in your position that isn't his position.
"Personally we've never had any falling outs or anything but at the same time I've never had many reassurances so I thought it's in my hands now, let me take it into my own hands and get out on loan and start to play my football again."