Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert says he understands Australian winger Brett Holman's anger at having lost his place in the team.
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Holman joined Villa from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar last year but despite featuring regularly in the first part of the season, he has not started a game since January 12 and has only made three substitutes appearances since.
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The 29-year-old was quoted last month as saying he found his situation "disappointing" and "frustrating", but Lambert says he has spoken to Holman to explain his reasoning.
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"I've spoken to him. I had a good chat with him," Lambert told the Birmingham Mail. "He is an experienced player and has done really fine since he's been here.
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"You don't want people to sit and be happy when they are not in the side. You want them to be unhappy.
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"He couldn't get in because Charles (N'Zogbia) was playing extremely well. He (Holman) wasn't fit for the other week (due to a hamstring injury). He is fit now.
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He has trained this week so he is back in the fray.
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"I've got to pick a team that can win a game. That's the only reason."
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Holman has won 59 caps for Australia, scoring nine goals, and was a member of the side that reached the final at the 2011 Asian Cup.
Losing ur place in a team is always a sad thing to any player. They should understand his anger cos its worth it