Zat Knight admits he was considering his future at Aston Villa at the start of the season.
He began the campaign very much on the fringes but has stepped into the vacancy left by injured skipper Martin Laursen and has looked ever more assured.
Knight said: "There were times when I thought 'what do I want to do?'. I was getting frustrated.
"The manager spoke to me and said that I was unlucky.
"I told myself to work hard in training, keep sharp and mentally right so that when the opportunity came I could take it.
"I believe that there is something special here and I want to be a part of it.
"I think my attitude has paid off in the second half of the season - I just hope I get a shirt on Sunday!
"I think I'm a better player. I'm concentrating a lot more.
"I might have thought it was too easy, switched off for a couple of minutes and that's when you get punished in the Premier League. I think I've shown a bit of hunger. It has been frustrating sitting on the bench. It's nice to be taking part now."
