Bruce deserves plaudits for Heskey’s revival, insists O’Neill

ASTON Villa boss Martin O’Neill says Wigan counterpart Steve Bruce should take great credit for his part in the renaissance of striker Emile Heskey.

Heskey will make his Villa home debut today against the Latics only a week after completing a £3.5m switch from the JJB Stadium. He made an instant impact for Villa by scoring the midweek winner at Portsmouth to propel them into third spot in the league.

O’Neill is quick to acknowledge the influence of Bruce in reviving Heskey’s career, initially at Birmingham and then Wigan, to the point where he is back as the spearhead of England’s attack under Fabio Capello.