HENDRIE UNHAPPY AT LACK OF GAMES

By Ryan Ghee
December 7 2005

Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has hit out at David O'Leary for not giving him enough first team games and admitted that he may look for a loan move away from Villa Park.

Hendrie, who has played for Villa for his whole career, made only his first start of the season at St James' Park on Saturday and that was only because James Milner was unable to play against his parent club.

"I am not happy, " the 28-year-old blasted. "Results have not been going for us but I still can't get in the tean.

"A loan move would mean games for me. A four or five week loan would not hurt - it's an option to get games under my belt.

"This is a massive month. There's a lot of games over the Christmas period - things could all change or I could still be in the situation I am in now.

"I have felt like crying at times and have never had a run like this out of the team."

After hearing Hendrie's comments, O'Leary responding by saying, "Lee has not been out of the team because he is a bad player. He's been out because a good player (Milner) has been playing well.

"I am trying to build up that level of competition for places here. That's what I believe in.

"He had a chance at the weekend but I've also got to judge it on a lad who has been playing over a long period."