Habib Beye never wanted Villa exit

Habib Beye has insisted leaving Villa was "never a question" – and revealed his frustration at the injury that has cut short his run in the team.

An injury to right-back Luke Young meant the Senegal international found himself in the first team in recent weeks, starting the three games prior to the Second City derby before being ruled out of Sunday's stalemate against Birmingham with an ankle problem.

It has been quite a turnaround in fortunes after being placed on the transfer list only months ago by Gerard Houllier's predecessor, Martin O'Neill – the man who signed him on a three-year deal from Newcastle just a year earlier.

But Beye is adamant he never wanted to go anywhere after signing a long-term deal on his arrival.

He said: "It was not a question because I had a three year contract. It was never a question.

"If the club asked me to leave, it would be different but it's never been a question.

"It could be because if you don't play so many games you maybe want to leave a club but, at the moment, it's never been a question.

Beye is confident the injury which kept him out of action over the weekend will not keep him sidelined for long.

He said: "I just tweaked my ankle in the first half against Burnley and it was swelling a little, but it's not going to be a big problem."

Beye is deeply frustrated to have picked up the problem having had to wait so long for a regular slot in the team – something he feels has prevented him from showing the Villa support the sort of form which made him a fans' favourite on Tyneside.

He said: "When you are a professional footballer, you have to take the chance when it comes.

"Luke did really well and then he got injured against Chelsea and the gaffer gave me my chance.

"I was pleased with the way I was playing. You are never 100 per cent happy because you always want to give more.

"But I played 11 games in one season last year and I didn't play before Chelsea for about a month – my last game was the Europa League game with Rapid Vienna.

"Of course, if you play one game it's hard to be at your best if you haven't played for months. But you just have to concentrate and do the right thing at the right moment.

"You are at your best when you play six, seven or eight games in a row. That gives you your fitness.

"You train hard but the game gives you everything. You may train hard but it's nothing compared to a game.

"When you play a match like against Burnley last week, it's a hard game. We played 120 minutes. It gives you good fitness for your next game.

"I am happy and if I can get my fitness back I think I will get better."