Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez isn't surprised Liverpool are looking at Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey.

Today Heskey will lead the Villa attack against one of his former clubs.

And Latics boss Martinez is convinced the player's stock has risen as clubs hunt old-fashioned centre-forwards in an ever-decreasing talent pool.

The Spaniard said: "If you look at what Emile Heskey is doing on the pitch for Aston Villa and England, you can see he is a big asset.

"Liverpool looking at him would not surprise me. He is a special type. The Emile Heskeys of this world are slowly disappearing - not just in England but in European football.

"He really looks after himself and is mentally in the best time of his career. That allows you to play for any of the teams in the Premier League, so I am not surprised if top clubs are in for Emile."