Uno
ial Villa News…
Kernowboy71 on Vital Spurs: Although it is still very early to make this announcement, I think without doubt that fans will regard the winners of this title to be Aston Villa and Martin O’Neill. Full article: Team and manager of the season.
Blackburn Rovers defender Stephen Warnock says Emile Heskey was a massive signing for Villa. In an interview for the Northampton Chronicle and Echo, Warnock said, ‘He is such a good player. He doesn’t get recognition for what he does and what he’s about. But Martin O’Neill knows all about him and will get the best of out of him. They’re as good as we played this year. You look at the threat up front – Young, Agbonlahor, Heskey and Milner are a fantastic threat to any team. They have quality and pace. They break so quickly and that’s a great asset to have.’
Martin O’Neill has spoken about Villa skipper Gareth Barry admitting in the News of the World his future is in his hands: ‘Gareth is here until the end of the season. He was true to his word that he would stay in January. If we keep the momentum going, who knows? But if we don’t qualify for Europe this season then things will be in the balance. The point I accept is that having given this season, which was what I wanted in the first place, I don’t think anyone would begrudge him the opportunity to move having spent that time here.’
The News of the World claim today that Liverpool will come back in for Barry in the summer. Yawn.
The red top also claims that Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing will be allowed to leave the club in the summer and name Villa, Spurs, Manchester City and Liverpool as interested parties.
James Milner told Sky Sports: ‘We are having a great season but it is down to us to keep our minds on the job in hand. Confidence is massive in football and obviously it helps with the run we have been on. It is not easy away from home but we are getting the results. We are playing well – that is the main thing – we are not nicking wins, we deserve the points and that is important.’
Milner also spoke to the official site about being selected for England…. which was nice! ‘To represent your country at any level is fantastic but to be called up to the full squad is an absolute honour and a real proud moment in my career. I am thrilled and I can’t wait to link up with the other lads and work hard and try to do well in training. Villa have six players in the national squad, which is a huge achievement too. Credit has to go to the manager Martin O’Neill for that.’
According to the FA’s website, SIX of our players are in the full squad for England’s friendly against Spain next Wednesday. Luke Young, Gareth Barry, James Milner, Ashley Young, Gabby Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey have been selected by Fabio Capello.
Good article by Vulcan on the season so far and whether us Villa fans dare to dream: Click Here
Match report, Glensider at Blackburn: Click Here
Blackburn v Villa stats: Click Here
JF match report (ish): Click Here
Vital Villan: Big Sam said after the game that Villa simply outclassed Blackburn today as he suffered his first defeat since joining the club. Speaking to Sky Sports the Blackburn manager said: ‘I don’t really have any complaints. I don’t think we can say that we really deserved anything out of the game. I thought Villa were the better side.’ Full article: Villa Deserved Victory
The Sheriff returns with another excellent that was the week that was: The Week In Villa #24 (30/01/09 – 5/2/09)
Vital Villan: Gareth Barry will miss our FA Cup clash against Everton after Gordon Bennett decided to book him for celebrating Gabby’s goal at the end of today’s match. Maybe our Captain forgot it’s now considered a criminal offence to be happy at a teammate scoring a goal, I don’t know. Full article: Suspension Hits Again
For the very latest Premier League odds: Click Here
The ever brilliant Something for the Weekend: Something For The Weekend (223)
Vital Villan: Brad Friedel has hit back at those in the media who have suggested that our rise to third place in the league is more luck than deserved. With how many wins we have secured lately, despite playing badly, it has led some in the press to class them as lucky wins, undeserved wins and so on. Fair enough, I’ve said myself plenty of times after matches recently that we got lucky. It’s an appropriate phrase to use when we’ve picked up three points based on a penalty, or an own goal after all. Even Dion Dublin commented the other week that we were benefiting from a huge slice of luck. Full article and quotes: Hardwork Not Luck Says Friedel
Vital Villan: Despite finding ourselves in third place, a full two points ahead of Chelsea, O’Neill is refusing to set any targets for the season. Well at least in public anyway. Speaking on the official site after the 2-0 away win against Blackburn, O’Neill celebrated our record seven away wins on the trot by telling everyone he isn’t getting carried away with things. ‘I am delighted, of course, but I am genuinely not targeting anything. We are going great and we deserve to be where we are in the table. But the main thing is keeping this momentum going – we really must. It really is so, so important.’ Full quotes: O’Neill Refuses To Set Targets
Vital Villan: Charlie Nicholas has said today on Sky Sports that we are looking very good for a Champions League place, and if we can turn Chelsea over in our next match Arsene Wenger will have to stop worrying about catching us up, and concentrate on trying to pass the Chelsea boys. Nicholas is less convinced in our defence, and has concerns over the squad size and the choice we have on the bench but is happy that as long as we can continue to convert the chances we create we are more than capable of staying where we are. Full article: Arsenal Looking To Catch Chelsea?
Roll up, roll up, the man of the match votes have been counted and verified and none other than the Fonz won for his goalscoring display against Doncaster Rovers. Nathan Delfouneso got 35% of the vote with Craig Gardner coming in second with 17%. Man Of The Match v Doncaster Won By Starlet
Thought for the day: 42.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
