Aston Villa's Joe Cole is 33 today - and what better place to spend it that with some old friends at the Boleyn Ground?
Cole, who enjoyed two spells at West Ham - one slightly more successful than the other - swapped the Boleyn for life in Birmingham last summer when he signed for Villa on a free transfer.However his return to the east End does not come in happy circumstances, with Cole's new club having lost their last six consecutive fixtures and desperate for a win as they attempt to reverse their fortunes.
"We need to stop the rot, we need to get something," he said. "It's just a case of getting something, even if we have to shut up shop or be ugly."
Despite Villa's precarious situation, Cole hopes to continue his career in the Midlands for a season or two yet.
"I've had a difficult few years, with little niggly injuries at the wrong time, but I love the game," he said. "What's better than to play football? I just want a little run of games to show that.
"I've got no complaints with the career I've had. I've been very lucky to live all my dreams as a player, but there's still a lot I want to achieve in the game.
"I'm grateful for everything I've had in my career, but I still want more, because we're all greedy, aren't we? I'd love to win a trophy with Villa, play another 100 games, because it's a great game."
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