Only A Matter Of Time For Jlloyd.

With Bolton and Charlton said to be interested, Jlloyd Samuel has yet again said that he may have to leave Aston Villa in order to get regular first team football.

The 24 year old left back, who is still hoping to be allowed to play in the summers World Cup for Trinidad & Tobago, wants regular football to resurrect his career having had a stop start time at Villa this season.

Samuel made the starting line up against West Ham last weekend and set up the cross for Lee Hendrie to score. However he only got his chance after Wilfred Bouma was ruled out with a knee injury and Gareth Barry was serving a one match suspension for picking up five yellow cards this season.

Samuel said:

'I want to play football and, if that means going somewhere else, so be it. I was the established left-back here and made a series of consecutive appearances. My record shows that I am established Premiership player no matter whether people have good or bad thoughts about me.'

He also says that he has kept in contact for former Lion Darius Vassell who is apparently happier now he has moved and has enjoyed the fresh start at Manchester City.

'I've been here a long time. In a similar way to Darius, maybe there is a case for now saying I've been too long at Aston Villa. I still keep in touch with Darius and he seems to have perked up now that he is at Manchester City. He is doing well.'

Adding:

'With myself, everyone knows it's got to the stage where it's only a matter of time before something happens. I want football week in and week out and that might have to happen elsewhere now. Whether it's this month or in the summer, it will happen. I am still at Villa and am contracted for this season and next season at the moment, but I will listen to whatever interest comes along.'

Sounds like a player inviting approaches. But can Villa really afford to let anyone go? Quotes from O'Leary suggest that whether he generates income or not, there will be no arrivals this January at Aston Villa. Not even a 'fake Sheikh' apparently!

Team captain Olof Mellbergsays he can understand the dilema facing Jlloyd:

"I think Jlloyd knows he is at a great club and he is very happy in the dressing room with all the lads. But he wants to play. Those are his feelings and you have to respect that. I don't think it is anything to do with him being unhappy in general at the club. He did really well on Saturday and the manager has got quite a few options at the back."

Adding:

"Both Jlloyd and Lee Hendrie did well. I don't think either of them have got that much to prove really."