Aston Villa fullback Nicky Shorey admits winning promotion with former club Reading probably saved his career.

"If we hadn't have done that maybe I wouldn't have got the chance (to play in the Premiership)," Shorey told the Sunday Mercury.

"I showed everybody what I can do and a few of the Reading lads have gone on and done well and proved they can play in the Premier League.

"It's just a shame sometimes people don't get that chance with other clubs picking them up because if we hadn't have got promoted maybe I'd never have played in the Premier League, but thankfully we did."