This season will see a fresh start for Lee Hendrie after 13 years at Aston Villa, as his contract has not been renewed. The former England international has enjoyed highs and lows throughout his tenure at Villa Park but it has never been dull. The livewire midfielder enjoyed a fruitful spell at Stoke on loan last season that has whetted his appetite for first team football next season. However, as givemefootball's Ian Clarkson discovered, he is not sure where he will be plying his trade.
Q:ARE YOU FIT AND READY FOR ACTION THIS SEASON?
A:I've started my pre-season training early as I want to go into next season firing on all cylinders. But it's disappointing at the moment as I've been a Villa player for a long time. I made my debut at 17 and was here as a youngster before that. It's a pity I didn't get more silverware but I've had some great times. Now I'm moving on.
Q:YOU GOT INTO A FEW SCRAPES OVER THE YEARS AT VILLA DIDN'T YOU?
A:I won't use this as an excuse, but there is a lot of money in the game. I had an expensive car and lived in a big house. I was only 19 and driving a Mercedes! Everyone hated me in Birmingham and I was in the public eye so hundreds of thousands of people knew when I was on a night out. It was so easy. People would always tell me 'remember where you came from'. But sometimes it was hard to put the brakes on.
Q:CAN YOU SEE ANY SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ANY CURRENT PREMIERSHIP PLAYERS?
A:Joey Barton gets the same thing now wherever he goes. But maybe the player has to slow down a little bit. It's up to me to take a step back. I realise what I've got and I'm 100 per cent positive about myself now. I'm a bit older and wiser but I do wish I was 21 again.
Q:YOU OFTEN SAID THAT JOHN GREGORY WAS YOUR FAVOURITE MANAGER AT VILLA – HAVE YOU SPOKEN TO HIM SINCE HE WAS AT QPR?
A:I was playing on loan at Stoke at the end lf last season against QPR and I came off with a small injury. When I came off, John actually locked me in an office and told me to sign a contract with him this season. That's the type of manager he is. John was like that when he took over after Brian Little left.
Q:WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT HIM?
A:He put me straight in the team and gave me a lot of heart and belief. I'm a confidence player and if a manager tells me I'm the bee's knees it lifts my game. John did that with me. I had a good run in the side and scored goals so I thank him for that.
Q:WHO ELSE WAS A BIG INFLUENCE ON YOUR CAREER AT VILLA?
A:Paul Merson was a kind of father figure even though he'd done some things in his life that weren't great. He was a big help to me though. He would take me to one side and tell me to just play my football. He was a fantastic player. But if I'd done something wrong then I'd be scared to go back into the changing rooms – he'd give me stick. But he also knew that was the best way to get the best out of me.
