Emile Heskey has said the chance to work with Martin O'Neill again was behind his £3.5million move to Aston Villa.

The England forward completed his move from Wigan Athletic on Friday, ending speculation linking him with a Bosman move back to Liverpool in the summer.

Heskey spent four years under O'Neill when the two men were at Leicester City before moving to Anfield for £11m in 2000.

"Aston Villa is a big club and it's been taking strides to get back to where it should be. I hope to be part of that," he said.

"The prospect of working with Martin O'Neill again was one of the biggest factors for me. I know what he's about and I know I will be able to work well with him. I have very fond memories of playing for him. I played for four seasons with him at Leicester and they were four great seasons.

"We were always finishing in the top half of the Premier League table and that was Leicester who, with respect, were a small club. He took us to three League Cup finals in four years and into Europe. That says it all really. He was brilliant."