Habib Beye is hoping Alex McLeish's arrival at Aston Villa will allow him to step out of the shadows.
Forgotten full-back hoping to make a fresh start under McLeish
Habib Beye is hoping Alex McLeish's arrival at Aston Villa will allow him to step out of the shadows.
The Senegalese defender has become something of a forgotten man around Villa Park since arriving from Newcastle in 2009.
He has made just 11 appearances for Villa in two years, and most of those have come in cup competitions.
Martin O'Neill and Gerard Houllier both overlooked him on a regular basis, with the latter sending Beye to train with the reserves after one falling-out.
The 33-year-old full-back is not about to give up on his Villa career, though, and believes a change in manager over the summer will help to breathe new life into his stagnating stay in the Midlands.
"It's a fresh start for everyone," Beye told the
Birmingham Mail.
"If the manager needs me, I will be here. It's not about me. As a professional you want to play week-in and week-out but sometimes you can't.
Teamwork
"If you don't play every game you are still part of the team and the squad. We're all in it together. It's about everyone.
"Of course you want to shine as a player because you're a professional and you're always looking to show your very best but it's about teamwork and being a close unit.
"You will have injuries and you have to use the entire squad."
Beye has been involved in McLeish's pre-season plans and he admits he returned from the summer break eager to prove his worth to the incoming coach.
"I am excited," he added. "When you have a holiday it's good, but you're always itching to come back to football. It's your passion."
