Angel waits for chance

Aston Villa’s record signing Juan Pablo Angel has insisted he will not sulk over losing his first team spot.

The Colombian international, Villa’s leading marksman this season with seven goals, was a regular in Martin O’Neill’s starting line-up until a fortnight ago.

But he has been on the substitute’s bench for the last three games with Portsmouth, Sheffield United and Bolton with fit-again Milan Baros preferred up front by manager O’Neill.

Angel, signed from River Plate for £9.5million nearly six years ago, has not let his head drop and is convinced he will be given another opportunity.

He said: “I am just waiting for another chance. I am really looking forward to when that happens. I was desperate to come on against Bolton at the weekend. I only played a few minutes but I am still in there.

“I am here to add to the team. I am not going to be sulking around. Of course, I like to play and be involved and I had my chance at the beginning of the season.

“I have played well for the team, have scored a few goals and I am waiting for the chance again. I am ready for it when it comes. The manager makes the decisions and I am here for the team. There will be a chance again for me to get back in.”

Angel is aware of the importance of Villa maintaining a challenge for Europe to help them attract quality players during the January transfer window.

He said: “If you are a struggling team, it is difficult to attract quality players. If we can hang on where we are at the moment, just outside the top six, we will have more chances to bring in good players.

“If we can have more depth in the squad, it will be better and the more quality we have, the more chance we have to compete at the highest level.”

Fellow Villa striker Luke Moore is stepping up his training after recovering from the shoulder operation to cure a problem which has dogged him for the past three years.

Moore impressed in the early part of the campaign before the setback flared up again during the 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in late September.