E Reina World Cup hero: I have won a lot, but keeping Villa up would be one of my greatest moments
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play ngs. help in a ally for titles, fought for the best. So, taking that decision to come here, to help Villa stay up, I knew what it meant.
“It was a big responsibility. The expectations were high. I don’t want to let the people down, it’s as simple as that. I take full responsibility of helping this football club stay in the Premier League.
“We have done the hardest job, dragging ourselves out of the relegation zone. Now it’s about defending what we have. With one more win, we will be safe.
“So, due to the circumstances – it’s been a long six months here – it will be up there.” Yeah, but this is THE Pepe Reina, right? Nights of glory at Anfield, the FA Cup Final penalty shoot-out against West Ham and so on. And Villa’s Great Escape is up there?
He said: “My best night in England was the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea in 2007. We got to the final after beating them on penalties. It doesn’t matter it wasn’t a trophy, the atmosphere that night at Anfield was something unique that has never been repeated.
“I’ve had a decent career. I have a winning mentality. But the pressure now is that we are fighting for our lives – to save the club.
“I have, what, a couple of years left in my career? But for the boys, it means a hell of a lot. That status of being a Premier League player is different. And for the club itself, it will guide the club in the next few years. The future is at stake here.
“Every point, every victory, means so much, because it doesn’t happen often. Or not as often as you hope.
“Every point needs full sweat, full fight. You give every detail much more importance, That’s what I’ve felt. It’s the pressure of failing.
“The pressure of making a mistake that lets the people down. So much responsibility. And with age, rather than the opposite, you feel the pressure even more, because of what the people expect from you.”
It has been one of Villa boss Dean Smith’s best decisions since regular No.1 Tom Heaton was sidelined by a knee ligament injury last Christmas in signing the 37-year-old on loan from AC Milan.
Smith said: “Pepe’s influence has been incredibly important – the experience and knowledge he’s got.
“I didn’t start with him against Sheffield United but he’s come back against Liverpool and kept two clean sheets in the past five displays and been a big part in our defensive displays.
“His knowledge is second-tonone. After the Arsenal game, I was sitting with him at breakfast and he remarked about how important that game was to him, personally.
“That’s the measure of the man. For someone who is a World Cup winner to come out with that on the morning after the game shows how much he continues to care. It’s the mark of a top-class professional.”