Ex-Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak would love to play in English Premier League again

Former Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak was recruited by Aston Villa to help get the side back into the English Premier League and the veteran reveals why he’d love nothing more than another crack at the big time.

Ice-cool ex-Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak says he would love another crack at the English Premier League, ahead of Aston Villa’s Championship playoff against Derby County on Monday night.

The midfielder was signed from Crystal Palace in 2016 to help lift Villa back into the top flight and Jedinak hopes to complete the mission after last year’s Wembley heartbreak.

Jedinak, 34, produced a stunning one-touch cameo in the playoff win over West Brom a fortnight ago. He came off the bench moments before the penalty shootout and emphatically converted his spot kick as he did for the Socceroos countless times.

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Out of contract, Jedinak said his kids Andre, seven, Alex, five, and Leo, two, were driving him on for another crack at the top flight after three superb seasons when he was captain of Crystal Palace.

There’s also the small matter that Monday night’s match is worth about $300 million to the winner.

“I haven’t spoken to anyone about next season (yet). It would be awesome to have that experience again,’’ Jedinak told the Sunday Herald Sun.

“I’d be silly to say no if that opportunity presented itself again. I’d love it and I’d love for the kids to get to see me experience it — they’re very keen footballers.

Mile Jedinak celebrates a goal with Aston Villa teammates Jack Grealish and Conor Hourihane. Picture: Getty

“I would’ve loved to have continued on that journey sooner. Trying to get the club to the Premier League was the aim and is still the aim now.

“To be given an opportunity to try to get the club promoted again, it’s what you want when you set your targets.”

Jedinak, who’s been frustrated as an unused sub for much of the season after overcoming injury to make 18 league appearances, showed against West Brom he’s still a man for the big occasion.

He was literally brought on in the dying seconds of extra-time by manager Dean Smith, as Jedinak and Villa psyched out West Brom.

“I figured out what was going on myself when they came up to me 10-15 minutes before the end. It was just get ready for (penalties),’’ he said.

“It was all right for me. Being fresh, I hadn’t touched the ball. I know that can sometimes go against you but I didn’t overthink it. I just thought, ‘Right, I’ve been in this situation before’.

“I just tried to calm the nerves.

“I waited for a chance, didn’t come too much. I didn’t let up, went full throttle and made sure we’re all doing the right thing.

“The game’s the easy part, it’s more the day-to-day stuff keeping everyone honest.”

Another of his traits remained, the death-stare celebration.

Mile Jedinak doesn’t regret retiring from the Socceroos. Picture: Toby Zerna

“I was just letting them (fans) know it’s all under control,’’ Jedinak said.

“It is what it is (against Derby). I understand what we went through last season (lost the playoff to Fulham), I don’t want it to happen again.

“Different manager, different style, a world apart. But we want the right outcome. That’s our main focus, continuing on how we’ve been successful and try to build on that and produce in a big game on Monday.”

Jedinak, who’s been linked to NSW expansion outfit Macarthur South West United, has no regrets about retiring from the Socceroos.

“Hard to say exactly what can happen, it’s little while away (Macarthur will enter the A-League in 2020). Because it is so far away, you don’t give it a lot of consideration, you just have to wait and see,’’ he said.

“It was probably the right time for me (to retire from the Socceroos). It’s time for others to get an opportunity and keep that flag flying. Pushing on and taking it to another level and qualifying for World Cups and tournaments.

“I gave my time, many years of service, I was thankful for that. But it’s a chance for others to step up now.”

Originally published as Ex-Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak would love to play in English Premier League again