Habib Beye has had a frustrating start to his career at Villa Park, as he tells Lisa Smith.
Following his switch from St James’s Park to Villa Park in the summer, Habib Beye first found himself biding his time on the bench and then, when he finally broke into the side, earning a one-match suspension.
Beye was part of manager Martin O’Neill’s revolution in the summer but the former Newcastle United right-back has been limited to bit-part appearances so far.
Then after a couple of good performances, Beye was given his chance at Upton Park, only to receive his marching orders for an innocuous challenge.
With Beye out of action, Luke Young has emerged from a long-term injury, while Carlos Cuellar has also been staking a claim at right-back when called upon.
Beye knows there is some stiff competition but insists he is now settled at Villa and happy to be part of the squad.
The French-speaking Senegalese player says it is “happy days” now at Villa, with his family also settling down to a new life in the Midlands.
“Of course it has been frustrating,” he admitted.
“I have been on the bench for some games and then when I did come in, I was sent off against West Ham United, when I didn’t think I deserved to be.
“You have to stand up and stay focused however.
“I know that when you get a chance, you have to show your quality and show the manager you shouldn’t be on the bench. But in the end you also have to think as a team.”
Beye – nicknamed Fonzy by fans because of a song sung about his name by Magpies’ fans to the theme song of the 80s American sitcom Happy Days – admits he now has a smile on his face knowing the manager will call upon him when required.
He feels he now just needs some consistency in his performances to steal a place back in the side.
“I played against Liverpool and had a good game up there and played against Tottenham too.
“The really important thing is to be consistent – it’s no good being really good one week and average the next.
“When you come to a new club it can take a bit of time to settle,” he said.
“I came from Newcastle and mentally last season was a really hard year for me.
“I have a family and now I’m really happy. I will take each game as it comes.
“If I play, I’m happy; if not, I will do my best to be.”
