The Villa Times 21/07/05

Milan Baros is again being linked to a Villa move; with West Ham behind in the pecking order. Benitez meanwhile has denied that Baros is being forced out amid rumours that he had told the player he hadn’t got a future at the club. ‘At the moment we are working with all our strikers and Baros does have a future here. But if we receive any offers maybe some of them can go. It depends on the offers and it depends on the player also.’

Crouch meanwhile has signed for Liverpool for £7million. How much did we sell him to Southampton for again? Oh right, yeah, £2million. Lets hope there was a % sell on clause so we get a little bit more eh?

DOL has denied rumours that he is set to swap Vassell for Distin. Vassell links to a move continue however.

Stuart Taylor is determined to compete for the No1 jersey and has said ‘I haven’t just come here to sit on my backside’. Which is nice!

Barry has backed Phillips to be a hit saying the goal he scored v Wycombe (set up by Berger by the way) was quality. Barry also adds: It was a great goal from Kev on Monday, a good run and a good finish. That will give him confidence, even though it’s so early and hopefully there’s plenty more to come this year. Just from the first couple of weeks in training you can tell he’s going to add something different to the squad. He’s a natural goalscorer and he’s proved over the years he can score goals, so I’m sure that’s why the manager’s bought him.’ Top scorer this season and no mistake.

Reports suggest that Villa are in the driving seat to sign 23 year old Argentinean striker Saviola after both Sevilla and Atletico Madrid pulled out. Barcelona coach Rijkaard has confirmed that Saviola does not fit into his plans and he will have to leave. The report suggests his future will be cleared up this week. However, the report goes on to mention the trip to Spain made by DOL which DOL has denied. So I’d say lets not get too excited by this one eh?! I’ve been told this chap is top drawer material, so lets hope a little!

Another striker linked to Villa is Genoa striker Diego Milito.

Mellberg and Delaney could both miss tonight’s friendly v Gallstad FK as DOL insists he will take no risks at this stage of the pre-season preparations. DOL said: ‘Both Olof Mellberg and Mark Delaney have got knee injuries ­ they’re nothing bad. But I didn¹t want to take a chance on Mark with the niggles he¹s had and then see him miss games in Sweden. Olof got a kick on his knee in training on Monday when we had a hard session and there is no point taking any chances on that either.’

Thought for the day: If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.