Joe Cole unsure over Aston Villa future following Coventry loan

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The 33-year-old playmaker joined the League One club on Friday on a 35-day loan after making just one appearance for Villa this season.

Joe Cole has admitted that he is not sure whether there will be a place for him back at Aston Villa once his 35-day emergency loan at League One side Coventry City ends next month.

Speaking at his introductory press conference following Friday’s shock move, the 33-year-old midfielder told the likes of the Coventry Telegraph: “I’ve not really thought of the ideal scenario. I just look at the next game. Anything can happen in football. I have got seven games in the 35 days and we’ll review it after that.

“The first couple of games will shake the cobwebs off and I’m sure my last two games will be stronger than my first two but hope my experience can help the boys here.

“I want to play football regardless to the level, play for the right team and the right way. It’s going to be tough because I’ve not played for a while.”

Cole originally joined Villa on a two-year deal in June 2014 after being released by West Ham United but a series of nagging injuries restricted him to just five starts and 10 substitute appearances during his first season in the Midlands.

The former England playmaker has managed to stay injury free so far this term but, despite putting in some solid pre-season performances, he has made just one 60-minute substitute appearance in the Capital One Cup.

That display in a 5-3 victory over Notts County saw the veteran playmaker set up Scott Sinclair’s hat-trick goal in extra-time but, with the likes of Jack Grealish, Carles Gil and summer signing Jordan Veretout all ahead of him in the pecking order, manager Tim Sherwood has remained reluctant to hand him a Premier League run-out.

“The last few years I’ve had a terrible time with injuries,” Cole added. “I have got myself fit but wasn’t getting in the team at Villa so was looking to get on loan to play.

“It’s about playing football because I want to play football with people trying to kick me. It doesn’t matter what your name is, I just want the buzz of playing again.”

Cole has actually performed fairly well in his limited Villa appearances but, with 12 new players brought in during the summer, about all he is offering the club at this stage is an experienced head on the training ground.

Whether that ultimately means he makes a permanent departure in January remains to be seen but his stint at the Ricoh Arena will give him a chance to show potential suitors that he still has a bit of magic left in his ageing legs.

Who knows, maybe he could even stay at Coventry for the long-term, although he would likely have to take a sizeable wage cut to make that deal happen.