When you're told you're going to miss out, initially, that first hour after the manager's named the team, you're really disappointed. You can't imagine anything worse. But you can't show that. You've got to go out there and support the lads.
Gareth Barry
When you play a lot of games in a row, and you come off the pitch thinking, 'I can't do this no more,' then it is time to look at something else, whether you have six months left on your contract or four years.
You don't see too many attacking flair players continuing until their mid-30s at a high level.
I think playing international football burns players out, but I was in and out of the England squad so never felt that.
British managers tend to be a bit more hands off, let you express yourself in training.
I just take it a season at a time because I know in football, things can change so quickly.
At school, I was always a central midfielder from a young age. Then, when I joined Villa at 16, the pre-season didn't go too well, so they looked at me as a centre-half.
I obviously think I should always be picked. Every player thinks he's good enough to be playing every week.
I made my mind up that I want to continue playing as long as I can.
You do hear a lot about 'player power,' but I'm one of those who believes the manager is there to take control, to be in charge.
I had my time in the England shirt and won a lot of caps.
Defensive midfield can be the one position that's easier to play as you get older.
It's nice hearing your team-mates wanting you to stay.
Everton Football Club is more important than the individual.
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've been in the Premier League for 10 years, more, and the money I've been paid is phenomenal compared to your average, everyday working man.
Steven Gerrard - at his peak, he was outstanding both attacking and defensively.
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.
The way you adapt and play against different teams and different styles is going to be important.
Playing away is always tough in the Champions League.
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.
As a younger player, I never really thought about where I should be on the field. It was just about doing a job.
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.
I feel very lucky that I'm left-footed because the number of us around is very small.
I played a lot of games for Villa, and one of my regrets is not winning a trophy there - that still hurts, and that's why the big games are important.
The easy part, for me, is always playing my football.
When I started my career, we were running around water parks and ridiculous things like that. You used to drive in dreading pre-season back then, but now you know it's going to be pretty tough, but it's going to be probably what you need. It's going to be good for you instead of just slogging away.
Everton fans don't just come to watch the football. They are there for Everton, the club. They really believe in the history of the club.
Most people would snap your arm off to do what I've done, but for me to be able to say my career was successful, I need to have some trophies and some medals in my cabinet when I finish.
Sometimes you're just not in the manager's thoughts.
I have always said that management is not something I fancied, but it's suddenly, naturally started to enter my head.
All I can do is give 100% for the club. That is all the fans will want to see anyway.
Reports you read in the paper, you never know how true they are.
I want to come and help the team. That's always been the same for me wherever I have played.
Playing until I'm 40 is definitely a possibility.
To play in the Premier League again would be amazing.
I treat the young boys as I wanted to be treated when I came through at Aston Villa.
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.
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.
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.
