Uno
ial Villa News…
According to some reports Stoke might face competition from Coventry City and Sheffield United in the chase to sign Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie – currently at the Potters on loan.
Patrik Berger says he would love to take an extended contract at Aston Villa. The former Czech Republic midfielder said: ‘If Villa offered me a new contract, I would be happy. I love it here and also for the family reasons it would be the best option for me to stay here. I don’t really have that many years ahead but there are older guys than me playing in the Premier League. I don’t see a reason why I can’t do that.’ Full article: Berger wants extended Villa stay
Gabby Agbonlahor signed a new four-year deal at Aston Villa yesterday. The England Under-21 international is now tied to Villa until June 2011. Not bad for a 20-year-old is it? What a life!
The Villa reserves won 3-0 against Reading last night. Goals from Gardner, Herd and O’Halloran. Martin Laursen continued his recovery with a full 90 minutes. Full article: Reserves Beat Reading
Vital asked what was the best defensive set up. The majority with 51% voted for Olof Mellberg and Martin Laursen in the centre with Phil Bardsley at right back. Next up came Gary Cahill (who according to everyone but was wasn’t man of the match last night – te he) and Mellberg with Bardsley as right back with 17%. Rest of the results:
Gabby Agbonlahor says he will prove he is no one season wonder after signing a new four-year contract. ‘My next big challenge is proving I can be a success next season. If you do well in your first season, everyone’s aware of you and in the second season you have to prove yourself again. I’m confident I can prove myself again next season and do even better. I don’t want to be a one-season player who doesn’t keep it going. I know it will be hard and I know I’ve got to keep developing as a player, but I’m ready to work hard to make sure I keep improving. Some people will be expecting me to fail next year and I have to come back flying because I want to start next season like I started this season.’ Adding ‘This deal gives me plenty of confidence that I can do that. The manager clearly has faith in me and that means a lot. He wants me at the club for the foreseeable future and hopefully I can reward him with performances on the pitch.’
Phil Bardsley says he can see the potential of Aston Villa. The on loan Manchester United defender added: ‘If you look at the core of the team I think it’s incredibly strong and I can see the side winning something in the future. I honestly believe Villa are moving in the right direction and I think it’s time that Villa, with the stadium they have, are moving forwards. It is an unbelievable stadium. The training ground they are building here is amazing, the players they are bringing in? I am very happy to be here. The manager has come in and done a great job.’
Big John Carew won the player of march vote on Vital with 61% of the votes. Patrik Berger impressed enough in his limited chances to get 14% of the votes and the ever faithful Gareth Barry got 8%. Wilfred Bouma, who as spit-fire said the other day, has to be the most improved player in a Villa shirt that we have seen in a long time, got 6% of the vote. The rest were split from 3-1%.
Martin O’Neill post Everton match reaction: Click Here
Everton v Villa match stats: Click Here
Gavin McCann will now have to sit out the games against Wigan at home (Monday 9 April) and away to Middlesbrough (Saturday 14 April) after the red mist descended on him in last nights match against Everton and he picked up a 10th yellow card for the season.
Sounds like Stiliyan Petrov is going through a bit of a crisis, he admits he hasn’t hit the form he would have liked to this season but is determined to still make a major impact at Villa Park. ‘I’m still looking for my first Villa Park goal and hopefully it will be a case of once I get one I can go on a bit of a run. I know what I can do, it’s just not the best at the moment. But I keep working and it will come. It will take a while for the January signings. You need time for everybody to click together and learn to play together. But we’re working hard and that will come.’ Full article: Come on Stiliyan Petrov
Martin O’Neill has admitted that big John Carew needs more help up front despite his great start to his Villa career. The Villa boss said: ‘He deserves more assistance than we are giving him. There is no doubt about that. Again I feel that will come but he is not the type to throw his hands in the air and say ‘where’s the help?’ ‘The players have taken to him, his attitude has been terrific, and although not shown in terms of results, I think we are a better side with him than we were a couple of months ago.’
One of the papers reckon we have bid £7million for Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy and been rebuffed by the Anfield club. Sorry, but what a load of total hogwash. How would we have bid when the transfer window is shut? PAH!
Thought for the day: ‘people who say you can’t buy happiness just don’t know where to shop!’
