Playing until I'm 40 is definitely a possibility.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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 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.

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 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.

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.

Against Chelsea, you will have periods in the game when you are right up against it, when they keep the ball. They are pretty solid the way they set their team up.

Both Everton and City have fantastic sets of fans who really get behind the players.

I knew my first game at Everton wasn't going to be a stroll around the pitch.

In my head, I felt if I'd stayed at City and got a chance, I could have done a good job. It was made clear that wasn't going to happen, though.

We never seem to make things easy for ourselves at Everton, and at City, it was the same, having to come from behind to get ahead in the big games.

For me, Goodison is the toughest away ground to come to. I have experienced it.

Any crowd that gets on your back makes it difficult, but you are going to get that if things aren't going well. The fans have got their right to give their opinion.

I'm desperate to play Champions League football, and that's why I have to leave Villa.

Martin O'Neill has definitely got the best out of me.

If players know their role, it is easier to keep to them.

If you win games, you think things are comfortable, and they are not. The best players don't think that way, and that's why they get to where they are: they don't worry about what has gone on and think only about the next game.

While I could still play in the Premier League, I really did not want to go abroad. I was not thinking about winding down my career.

I think playing international football burns players out, but I was in and out of the England squad so never felt that.

I started my career in an era when footballers were different. There was a different culture.

I have always said that management is not something I fancied, but it's suddenly, naturally started to enter my head.

I made my mind up that I want to continue playing as long as I can.

Any great club needs the mentality to go on and achieve things - it is what clubs like United have.

It's why the Premier League is watched so much all over the world: because it has more pace and more physicality than in any other league.

It's nice hearing your team-mates wanting you to stay.

Everyone's expecting you to be playing fantastic football, winning every game, and course it doesn't happen like that.

British managers tend to be a bit more hands off, let you express yourself in training.

My upbringing wasn't overly comfortable.

I've got three brothers and two sisters. Dad was a plumber who worked really hard to support six children, and Mum was busy at home. The four brothers shared a room, a bunk bed on each side. It wasn't luxurious.

Confidence and momentum are huge in sport.

Nobody likes to lose 3-0.

No one has said, 'What are you doing still playing?' Everyone said, 'Play as long as possible.' You stop when you stop enjoying it, and I'll know when I've had enough and can't keep up with the boys.

It's a fantastic life I've been living - let's keep it going.

When somebody tells you they don't think you're good enough here, your face doesn't fit, you don't just roll over; you've got to back yourself.

Steven Gerrard - at his peak, he was outstanding both attacking and defensively.

David Silva at Man City was my favourite player to play with; we had a good understanding on the pitch.

You only have to look at the England squad to see the amount of players who get in the squad and start the games - the majority play in the Champions League.

I have had four great years at Everton. The fans have been brilliant with me from the day I signed until the day I left. I am proud that the club will always be a big part of my career.

I've got massive respect for Arsene Wenger for what he's done for the English game, and it would have been good to work under him, but that didn't happen.

Playing away is always tough in the Champions League.

I'm delighted to be joining City. It didn't take much persuasion from Mark Hughes; they are heading in the direction I want to go. There is great potential here.

Anything you're not in control of you can't be that comfortable with.

I'm not one to plan, but I'm always positive about things.

You learn from being out of the team, but it makes you desperate for another chance, and when it comes along, you just have to grab it. Don't let go.

After Euro 2008, football in England was shattered for a bit, and people were losing interest in following England.