Uno
ial Villa News…
Tickets for the home game against Everton (April 2) are now on general sale.
20-year-old Craig Gardner returns for the reserves tonight as he returns from injury. He told the official site: ‘There’s competition for places in every position here now and that’s a big challenge for all the players. I don’t mind that challenge, I just want to stay fit so I can prove myself.’ Adding ‘I love playing for the reserves – I always have done. It’s a decent level and can only get me closer to playing for the first-team. When the manager gave me a chance in the first-team, he told me to keep doing what I did for the reserves. So I know that my performances for the reserves helped my cause.’
The Villa reserves play tonight against Charlton at Villa Park (7pm kick off). VILLA: Taylor, Albrighton, O’Halloran, Laursen, Samuel, Ridgewell, Gardner, Osbourne, Angel, Williams, Berger. Subs (from) McGurk, Bevan, Lowry, Y.Bellon, Stieber, Herd.
Phil Bardsley says he will wait until the end of the season before deciding his future. The on-loan Manchester United right-back said: ‘I don’t know what will happen. I’m not the manager and I don’t know where my career stands yet. I just want to keep doing well and then we’ll see what happens at the end of the season. It’s too early to say anything at the moment.’
Martin O’Neill has brought the Villa youngsters back down to earth saying just because they have played a lot of Premiership games, it doesn’t mean anything! He said: ‘I think that playing 20-30, even 50 Premiership games does not make you a class Premiership player. It should help you, but nothing more. Sometimes I think players get recognition because of TV cameras and other influences. I think reputations can be won too easily in this game and I want our younger players to avoid that here. A bit of recognition is no guarantee of anything.’ Full quotes: O’Neill Warns Villa Youngsters
Gareth Barry is hoping the 3 week break will give Villa the chance to re-charge their batteries and to finish the season strongly. Full article: Barry Looking For Storming Finish
Vital Villa asked ‘should we let players go out on loan for a month (missing just the Fulham game)? The majority, with 37% said we should let players go out on loan BUT not to Brum! Another 32% said yes – it is valuable first team experience. That left 22% saying no, they are better off training with team mates and 9% saying no, they might get injured.
Villa fan Alan Perrin is up for the fan of the month award, nice and easy and quick to vote for him: Click Here
Martin O’Neill is in no rush to decide the future of right back Mark Delaney whose contract runs out at the end of the season…. Full article: No Delaney Decision Yet
The marketing department at Aston Villa have set up a workshop in order to discuss the Aston Villa brand…Have your say on the Villa brand.
Villa central defender Gary Cahill has said he won’t give up his place in the team without a fight. ‘I’m confident I can keep my place. I want to thank the manager for sticking by me. I’ve had a run of games now and it helps with consistency to play on a regular basis. Hopefully I can stay in the team and improve. My partnership with Olof has flourished. I think defensively we’ve been good. Freddy has done excellently at left back but then all the lads who’ve played have been impressive.’ Full quotes: Cahill up for the fight.
Martin O’Neill has hinted that Patrik Berger might have a future at Villa Park. He said: ‘There is a new determination about Patrik. He has had a wonderful career and played in front of big, big crowds. There is a feeling at the autumn of your career that you want to keep that going. When he came on against Watford and West Ham, playing in front of a big crowd gave him an enormous lift.’ O’Neill Hints At Berger Future
Martin O’Neill says Steven Davis has what it takes to bounce back from his disappointing season. Full article: Davis Can Bounce Back
Martin O’Neill has praised Juan Pablo Angel and Aaron Hughes for remaining professional whilst being dropped from the team. Full article: Villa’s Hughes & Angel Praised
Some reports are linking Juan Pablo Angel to a summer move to Deportivo La Coruna. It would probably make sense for the player to seek a fresh challenge for next season, he is falling too far down the pecking order to remain happy not even making the bench surely?
Ashley Young says he is loving it at Villa and that he has settled in already. ‘I’ve settled in really well here at Villa. It’s very good. The boys have been great and the staff too. It’s a really easy place to settle in at. I’m really enjoying myself.’ La la la la la Young’s Loving It!
Vital Villa asked who was the best Villa goalkeeper? 38% saying Thomas Sorensen, Jimmy Rimmer 22%, Mark Bosnich 22%, Nigel Spink 14%, Jim Cumbes 3% and Peter Schmeichel 1%.
Actim have confirmed what most Villa fans know, Gareth Barry is top quality as he makes number four in the Actim player rankings top 100 for 2006/07. Top ten: Click Here
Randy Lerner has said he isn’t at Villa for financial gain admitting ‘You can get more out of buying a 30-year bond – I’d be poolside and cordless, but where’s the fun? Lerner – Villa A Lifetime Thing
Martin O’Neill believes John Carew should be at his peak for Villa and compares him to Peter Withe. Full article: O’Neill WITHE Praise For Carew
From Football Fans Census: Results of the ‘Cost of Footie’ survey appear in The Sun today as part of their Cut the Cost of Footie Campaign. Results highlights include: Only 12% of fans think match tickets are good value for money. 96% think Premiership clubs should use increased TV revenues to cut ticket prices
86% would go to more games if tickets were cheaper and available. 74% would prefer to stand and pay less. Full links: Click Here
Thought for the day: ‘I still miss my ex, but my aim is getting better’
