Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker admits he has England ambitions.

"Getting into the England squad is my next goal. It's as simple as that. The fact that I am now a holding midfielder gives me more opportunity," he said.

"A lot of people have complimented me on my ability to get the ball back and hopefully I can push myself into the squad under Fabio Capello.

"If you look at the top four sides, they all have a holding midfielder. There are Makelele and Mikel at Chelsea, Hargreaves at Manchester United and Liverpool tend to play with two midfielders holding.

"I had quite a good chat with the manager and I'm learning a new discipline as the holding midfielder.

"The manager wants me to marshal the defence and it does work really well and balances the team. It gives Gareth Barry the freedom to express himself a lot more.

"Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor have also been tremendous along with John Carew. They are the attacking spur of the team while I sit back and defend and do a job."