Villa boss O’Neill pleased Heskey back on scoresheet

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill was delighted Emile Heskey was back on the scoresheet in their 1-1 draw at Burnley.

The England international has been spending a lot of time on the bench this season and it was his first Barclays Premier League strike since April 18.

He pounced at the far post to nod home James Milner's cross and cancel out Steven Caldwell's ninth-minute header.

"It is obviously very important for him. He has the reputation of being a provider for other players to score goals," said O'Neill, who worked with Heskey when the pair were at Leicester.

"That's fine, it's okay, but I think if you are a centre-forward you have to get your quota in.

"It was a great boost for him. He took it very well indeed.

"I've worked with him a long time and I think he is capable of scoring more goals than he does do."

Despite conceding a late goal Burnley boss Owen Coyle could not fault his players.

"I thought we were well-placed to get the three points. We were outstanding in the first half," he said. "We passed and moved the ball and created numerous opportunities and scored a good goal.

"Brad Friedel had one or two exceptional stops in the game. He was outstanding today and on another day it may have resulted in more goals.

"But we always knew in the second half Villa were going to come back at us. Brian Jensen made a great save from Agbonlahor and besides that I don't think they had too many opportunities.

"But we paid the price for not clearing a corner properly and not dealing with it when it came back in. We are disappointed but as a manager I can't ask any more from that group of players.

"They have worked their socks off and showed real quality on the ball."