Emile Heskey insists he is fighting hard to claim a regular place in the Aston Villa first-team ahead of the World Cup in the summer.

The England international has started just one Premier League game all season and is yet to find the net.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill has opted to pair Gabriel Agbonlahor with John Carew up front so far this campaign with Heskey not completing a full 90 minutes since the UEFA Europa League qualifying first leg defeat to Rapid Vienna in August.

The 31-year-old stated he could look to leave Villa in January if first-team chances failed to present themselves in a bid to protect his England place ahead of the World Cup, but the striker points out he is working as hard as ever in training.

"Obviously I want to play in every game," he told Sky Sports News. "That is the only thing I can do putting it in, in training and in the games.

"Everyone wants to go on that plane (to the World Cup in South Africa). It's a great tournament to play in.

"If not it's one of those things that you hope for the best and hope the players that go bring back the trophy."

The former Leicester and Liverpool frontman also praised No.2 goalkeeper Brad Guzan for his match-winning display in the Carling Cup shoot-out win at Sunderland in midweek after saving four penalties.

"He has been brilliant, even in pre-season," he added.

"He has been brilliant whenever he has been called upon. He has done himself justice and done the club proud.

"He is a great goalkeeper who has come over and he has found it difficult because he has not played but when he has played he has put in performances like that every time."