By Dan Harrison

Emile Heskey says it was important to send the Villa fans home happy as a reward for their super support throughout the course of the season. 

The striker praised the claret and blue faithful for the ovation they gave the team during a lap of honour at the final whistle of Sunday's victory over Newcastle.

He hopes the victory will help the supporters go into the summer months with positive vibes.

Heskey told AVTV: "It's always nice to end on a high for the fans, so it was brilliant. It was the last home game, we put everything into it and got the win.

"It's been a long season for the lads and the fans have been great all season. It's nice for us to go and give them a lap of honour.

"They've been coming out and really supporting us so I can't complain."