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Joe Cole admits the buzz of the Premier League is what keeps him motivated as he rolled back the years in Aston Villa’s 1-1 draw with Burnley on Saturday.

The 33-year-old could have been soaking up the sun in the Middle East and stacking up the cash but right now that isn’t what floats his boat.

Instead it’s the thrill of top-flight football on a Saturday afternoon. His broad smile after scoring Villa’s opener at Turf Moor proved as much.

“This is what it’s all about, playing in the Premier League,” said Cole.

“I could have gone and filled my pockets, and that’s not a criticism of the players who do that because it’s a short career and we’re not really qualified to do anything else after football.

“I’ve been lucky enough and the fire still burns for me.

Look: Villa at Burnley

“I just want to play. I enjoy it. I prefer to be in Burnley at Turf Moor than playing in the Middle East somewhere in 100 degrees. You know what I mean? It’s a proper game.”

Cole could easily have lost his passion for the game having hardly featured for the past two seasons.

Last term at West Ham he was plagued by injuries and it’s been pretty much the same since moving to the Midlands.

Desperate to succeed, the ex-Chelsea man hasn’t given up, though, and is keen to prolong his stay at the top for as long as possible.

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“I’ve always tried to listen to senior players, and they’ve always said to play at the top level for as long as you can because you’ll miss it,” he said.

“That’s as good advice as you’ll ever hear.

“Playing football at this level you have to respect the little kid who just dreamed of playing one minute in the Premier League.

“If you keep that in mind, you can keep playing for as long as you want.”