Ehiogu is desperate to be part of Glenn Hoddle's plans for Euro 2000 but has been out of the international fold since winning his only cap against China two and a half years ago.

And the former England Under-21 captain admitted that he will be seeking talks with Villa manager John Gregory if he continues to be left out in the cold.

Ehiogu, once tipped by former Villa manager Ron Atkinson as a future England skipper, said: "I do need to be back in the England side again and want to play in Euro 2000.

"If that doesn't happen then I may have to go and see the manager. John Gregory knows how I feel. You do feel at times like a forgotten man.

"It was a big disappointment for me not to play in the World Cup this year. I have to make an England place my aim.

"I'm not getting any younger and it's hard for me to look at the fact that I've been at Villa seven years. I'm the longest serving player and am only 26.

"I had a taste of it all with leading the Under-21s and making my debut against China.

"Now when the internationals come around all I seem to do is watch the games on the box. That ambition to play for England still burns brightly."

Ehiogu admitted: "I didn't enjoy the last two seasons and felt I was going nowhere and getting stale.

"This is a big season for me. If I don't find myself improving significantly then some decisions will have to be made - footballing decisions."

Ehiogu spelt out his frustration at not getting the credit he feels he deserves in helping Villa to make a flying start to the season.

He said: "I'm pleased that Gareth Barry and Gareth Southgate are getting into the England set-up - but sometimes you'd think we only had two defenders at the back, not three.

"We may have played well as a unit but all I'm reading about is a Villa defence marshalled by so-and-so when I think I've done okay myself.

"At least the England management are coming to watch us more now. They seen more of us in the first few games than in the whole of last season."