Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill cannot guarantee Emile Heskey a regular starting place but understands his frustration with his current situation.

Heskey has established himself as a first-choice player with England under Fabio Capello and appears a certainty for next summer's World Cup finals.

But it is a different scenario at club level where he is having to play second fiddle to Gabriel Agbonlahor who has been in outstanding form this season.

O'Neill admits he has sympathy for Heskey but cannot make any promises in terms of his role with Villa.

O'Neill, speaking ahead of tomorrow's home lunchtime clash with Chelsea, said: "There is a frustration factor with players when they are not playing.

"It is ironic that Emile is playing regularly for England at the moment and not playing regularly for us.

"The England manager, for the most part, wants his players to be playing regularly for their club sides.

"That is the situation for England to decide upon.

"I'm not here to guarantee people places in the team and I think Emile accepts that viewpoint.

"I do have some empathy with him because he has done exceptionally well for England and guided them to the World Cup in relatively quick time.

"He has made a very good impression with Fabio Capello and would want to be in the starting line-up more often here."

However, O'Neill, who has adopted a 4-5-1 formation in most matches this season, knows it would be unfair to drop Agbonlahor, who has scored five goals in 10 games during the current campaign.

He said: "In terms of centre-forwards, Gabi has been fantastic for us. His recent form has been superb so it would be hard to shift him out of the team at the moment.

"John Carew has also been great for us and also having to battle to get into the team.

"That competition can only be good for me as a manager but I can't guarantee people playing every single week."

O'Neill feels Villa will go into Saturday's game with the Blues full of confidence after their win at Liverpool and home draw with Manchester City.

He said: "While it is important psychologically to do well against the top sides, I'm not so sure it is a pointer to the whole season.

"Having said that, we have played two games against teams with genuine aspirations at the top end of the league in Liverpool and Manchester City and those games will give us confidence when we face Chelsea.

"I thought our performance against City was brilliant, especially in the first half, and will be a boost when we come up against a team which will find whoever finishes in front of them will probably win the Premier League.

"They have been a terrific side for several years, have enjoyed a golden period in their history, and possessed some of the best players in world football."

O'Neill also welcomes the takeover at local rivals Birmingham with new owner Carson Yeung pledging to spend up to £40million in the January transfer window.

O'Neill said: "It would be good news, particularly if the owners are putting a lot of money up in January.

"That can only be good for Birmingham and well done to them."

Villa left-back Luke Young is in contention to play his first game of the season against Chelsea.

The former England defender suffered a thigh problem during the pre-season Peace Cup tournament in Spain which has kept him on the sidelines.

He was also given compassionate leave by Villa after the death of his brother.

But Young has been included in the squad for Saturday after coming through a midweek reserved outing unscathed.