Aston Villa veteran Joe Cole is desperate for some first team football.

Cole wants to be allowed to leave Aston Villa on loan, because he's desperate to start playing again before his career is over.

He admitted: “I'm desperate to play so maybe we will have a look at it after the weekend and possibly drop down a level - on loan or something like that - just to play football.

“I want that feeling of competing on a Saturday and winning games - there is nothing better and you just don't know how long you have left in the game.

“I am starving to play - hopefully with Villa, but if not then we will have to sit down and think about it."