Uno
ial Villa News…
According to Lisa Smith , now Villa correspondent for The Birmingham Post, and a top lass too, Villa are in talks with Portsmouth utility player Matthew Taylor. Lisa also says targets for Villa include a goalkeeper, striker, midfielder and two defenders, no mention of a partridge or a pear tree though. Join A Big Club Matty Taylor!
Reports have linked us to Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy for what seems like 30 years now. These reports seem to be increasing as rumours suggest Rafa Benitez is about to have a clear out at Anfield to freshen things up for another Premiership (failed) challenge next season! Our latest poll asks whether we should sign him or not. Full article: To Bellend or not to Bellend.
Seems Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie, whose contract is about to expire for the Claret and Blues, has options to go back to Stoke permanently, or to be sent to Coventry City or Leicester City. Mmmmm, mouth-watering prospects!
Jlloyd Samuel has trotted off to Bolton Wanderers: Click Here
According to reports in the Sunderland Journal, Roy Keane won’t be pursuing the signature of former Mackam midfielder Gavin McCann but apparently Wigan Athletic and Everton are both interested in his services. However Reading might now be interested as they look to replace Steve Sidwell.
Meanwhile, at the end of a couple of articles, I assume PA led, reports also suggest O’Neill will try to sign Portsmouth’s 25-year-old midfielder/utility player if he is available. He outscored Bellend with 8 Premiership goals (and 1 league cup goal) last season.
Other reports suggest that Villa are amongst a host of teams who want to sign £5.5million rated Sheffield United defender Phil Jagielka. About a 1000 other teams including Everton, Newcastle, Bolton, Manchester City, Wigan and West Ham are also said to be interested. Sheffield United’s chairman Kevin McCabe won’t let him go without a fight though: ‘Phil is under contract and it wasn’t so long ago that he signed an extension here. It’s hardly surprising that other clubs are interested in a player of his quality and potential but of course we’d rather keep a hold of him. Hopefully we can convince Phil that he can achieve what he wants by staying with us. That’s certainly what we will be trying to do.’
Juan Pablo Angel has scored three goals and made two assists in his last two games. That said, he is playing in the kids league now. Seriously, what are these players doing in such an average league when they have so much to offer? Beckham, proves it is about money and not football really doesn’t it? As good as retired from the game according to the serious footballing press. Angel said: ‘I have to do well to earn the respect from my teammates. It’s not about what you’ve done in the past. You have to show you can do it here. I need to have the results. I don’t want to get carried away. I still need to work.’
Ajax’s 22-year-old Dutch international Wesley Sneijder has been linked to Villa, here is a You Tube of what he can do! Click Here
According to the Birmingham Mail, Villa will listen to offers for England U21 defender Liam Ridgewell and both Small Heath and Charlton Athletic are said to be interested.
Vital Villa asked what are your expectations for next season? 63% expect Villa to finish between 5th and 7th. Phew, 5th is a tall order, 6th and Uefa might be a good first step though!
12% think we’ll break into the top four. Ahem, not one to be negative, but come on guys, lets be realistic surely?!?!?!?! 10% voted top ten and cup runs. 7% voted 8th -11th. Some miserable buggers out there came up with 5% relegation scrap, so thanks to the non Villa fans for that vote! That left 1% voting the League Cup, 1% FA Cup and 1% predicting a very average 12th-15th.
Gareth Barry lines up with David Bentley (Blackburn) and Spurs duo Aaron Lennon/Jermaine Jenas in England B’s midfield tonight against Albania.
Ian Storey-Moore, Villa’s chief scout, has wetted the appetite of us Villa fans by saying there is an exciting summer of action ahead. Lets face it, as he has helped scout for the possible targets, he must know what we are in for! Aston Villa Scout Excited
Looks like a move to America to join up with Juan Pablo Angel and David Beckham could be off for Patrik Berger after Martin O’Neill said the Czech midfielder has ‘earned the right to stay.’ Berger looked a dead cert to leave Villa Park this summer, but after some stunning ‘cameo’ appearances towards the end of the season, it looks like the former Liverpool and Portsmouth player is set to be offered a new one year deal. Full article: Berger – A Tasty Villa Option
Good news for Wales international and Aston Villa right back Mark Delaney. Martin O’Neill has given the 30-year-old the summer to prove his fitness before deciding on what to do with him despite his contract coming to an end in June. Delaney had surgery by the same surgeon that salvaged Martin Laursens career, Dr Richard Steadman, and it is hoped that has cured Delaney’s knee problems. Full article: Click Here
Thought for the day: ‘remember, FIRST you pillage, THEN you burn’
