Richard Dunne Says The Buzz Is Back (As Is Brad!)

Richard Dunne has been doing a bit of talking today! Back with the squad now after some time off following the Euro campaign, he has told Mat Kendrick at The Birmingham Mail that the older players might well have to learn new tricks!

Looks from the interview (full quotes here) the players have realised they won`t be able to mess about with Paul Lambert after problems with both Gerrard Houllier and He who shall not be named.

Dunne is in the last year of his contract, at 32 and with two very mixed (at best) seasons, I`m not convinced Villa will be looking to renew, but if no offers come in for him, his experience might well be useful this season? All up to Lambert, whoever he wants has to have a clean slate from us lot as well really? At least for five minutes?!

“I think there`s four or five of us maybe going into the last year of our contracts, so it`s up to us and every player to prove that we can still be part of it. Certainly the manager has the ambitions and the belief that he`s going to be successful. If we want to be a part of that then we have to go out and do our best and prove it. Hopefully he decides that we`re good enough to stay at the club.”

He says on his return it was clear the players are buzzing but have warned the training is hard, albeit enjoyable.

Ha, this could be good couldn`t it?! Get the players heads sorted and who knows, they might surprise us after a couple of seasons ‘off` !

Dunne added, “He seems a really good manager to be around. He chats with the lads and he has a laugh with the lads. But you can tell you don`t cross the line, he`s a manager who I`m sure is going to be really successful and get what he wants at Villa. I think hopefully it`s going to be an exciting time for the club.”

Amen.

He has also spoken to Paul ‘worse jokes than Fear` Brown on www.avfc.co.uk saying the players are delighted to have Brad Guzan back.

‘Apart from being a good goalkeeper, Brad’s a great character to have around the place. He would have been a big miss in dressing room if he hadn’t been there. In the games he played last season he was outstanding. He was probably unlucky he didn’t keep his place. But we have a few good goalkeepers so it’s hard. But as a player and person he’s brilliant and everyone is delighted that he’s back.”

So there you have it folks. Not quite sure what ‘it` is … I`ll get back to you!