Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has challenged England striker Emile Heskey to strengthen his grip on a World Cup place by taking his scoring tally into double figures next season, reports the Birmingham Mail. "I spoke to Emile during pre-season and told him there are ten goals to be had by strikers in the top flight coming across into that little area," said O'Neill.

"That near post is often unprotected. If you can make your run and go in there with desire and determination, goals are there for you.

"That's two goals he's scored now in quick succession by doing that during this pre-season.

"It was a great ball in from Marc Albrighton for the goal against Porto. He came across his man and got there first, and again against Fiorentina, he scored another brilliant goal after a super ball in from Ashley Young.

"Emile is a centre-forward thriving on goals. Strikers don't usually want to tell you their targets for the season, but I am sure he will have some.

"Generally I think we are more than capable of scoring goals this season because we have some really good forward players."