Having been around, I know how difficult it is to get results in this league. It doesn't just happen by buying players. It needs a lot of hard work.

I have played a lot of games, had a good international career, and picked up a lot of caps, but it is not going to be complete without winning trophies, so that is my main goal.

It was Martin O'Neill who said, 'You're a central midfielder.' He put faith into players. He was very clever at getting into players' heads, leaving little remarks to make me believe more. The players at Villa all moved up another level under him.

I like going down to London for a couple of days, but it's a place where I'd never fancy living - too busy, too lively, people on top of you.

The England manager didn't think I was good enough, and as a professional, you have to take it. Sure, it was disappointing, but all you can do is carry on playing well for your club and hope it changes. Unfortunately, it didn't.

I used to say I preferred midfield because I enjoy trying to make goals, and scoring is a buzz.

As a player, you always want to play - it would be wrong to say otherwise - but you can always understand the manager's reasons if he decides to leave you out.

The easy part, for me, is always playing my football.

I'm never going to be seen as an attacking midfielder who's going to dribble past anyone, create untold chances, and score lots of goals, but going forward is something I've always enjoyed doing.

In 2012, we had just won the league with City, and I was really high on confidence going into the Euros when I picked up an injury, which meant I couldn't go.

Playing until I'm 40 is definitely a possibility.

I obviously think I should always be picked. Every player thinks he's good enough to be playing every week.

It has felt like the World Cup was never going to come for me.

Sometimes you want to experience life, but ultimately, you've got to make sacrifices and choose the right road.

When I started my career, we were running around water parks and ridiculous things like that. You used to drive in dreading pre-season back then, but now you know it's going to be pretty tough, but it's going to be probably what you need. It's going to be good for you instead of just slogging away.

Burn-out can be an issue if you are playing too many games.

I just take it a season at a time because I know in football, things can change so quickly.

I want to come and help the team. That's always been the same for me wherever I have played.

Reports you read in the paper, you never know how true they are.

As a younger player, I never really thought about where I should be on the field. It was just about doing a job.

The main reason I have joined Everton is not to try to help my England ambitions - that will come if I am playing consistently well for Everton.

I had my time in the England shirt and won a lot of caps.

I feel very lucky that I'm left-footed because the number of us around is very small.

I played a lot of games for Villa, and one of my regrets is not winning a trophy there - that still hurts, and that's why the big games are important.