Angel At Crossroads

Juan Pablo Angel says his Villa career might be at a 'crossroads'.

The Columbian international, who remains our record purchase at £9.5million, says he wants to fight for his place at Villa, but suggests if he doesn't get his place back, he might have to review his options. O'Leary has preferred the Phillips/Baros combination and once Phillips picked up his ankle injury that required surgery, O'Leary turned to Luke Moore.

Angel, who moved from River Plate five years ago, said:

'I am always going to keep doing the hard work and to try and do my best. Of course, I don't like to be on the bench. But there is nothing I can do except work my socks off on the training ground every day and try and play my part when I have the chance to come on as a substitute.'

Continuing: 'How long am I prepared to carry on with this situation? I don't know. At the moment I'm prepared to work hard, to keep doing what I've always been doing but time will tell. I've not been to see the manager. I don't need an explanation. I never ask when I play and never ask when I don't. It is unusual for me in my career not to be in the team but I need to work myself back into the team.'

He admits he wasn't at his best at the start of the season and that all he can do now is work hard. The strange thing is he looked like he was forming a good understanding with Baros when he came off the bench a few games back, but despite a well worked goal, he was back on the bench for the next game despite some very average performances from Villa youngster Luke Moore.

Angel asked: 'Am I at the crossroads of my Villa career? I don't know. At the moment I am just concentrating on working hard and trying to do what I have always been doing. Nothing has changed in the way I have been working and the things I have been doing even when I was the first choice.'