O’Neill Has Options

Villa’s new striker John Carew has been given the No10 shirt vacated by Milan Baros. Ashley Young has the No17 shirt vacated by Peter Whittingham.

Both players will take part in a press conference this afternoon and Martin O’Neill has told the official site both players give him fresh options as he looks to climb the table.

They both trained with the squad today and will be available for our game against Newcastle next Wednesday night.

O’Neill said: ‘I’m hoping Carew and Ashley will give us a boost, and we want to be adding more to the squad if we can. I’m not sure what we’re going to do, but we have some days left yet and we’re looking at other possibilities. This gives us alternatives. Ashley can play right, left, or off the centre-forward where he’s been playing recently for Watford. I’ve seen him play all three positions. As he develops, Ashley will find a niche he’s comfortable with.’

‘I’ve been genuinely delighted with the players, despite the poor run. Maybe if you add that to our good run we’re maybe in the (correct) position now. But we have to get the number of points to make sure we pass the proverbial 40, and then push on.’

Who knows, another arrival or two and a late charge for Europe?