Uno
ial Villa News…
Match preview by Murph: Get Down Deeper and Down
The Villa reserves carried on their charge for the title with a 2-0 win over Portsmouth at Villa Park last night.
Reports this morning are claiming that Chelsea might approach Villa for an emergency loan of Thomas Sorensen. Chelsea have Carlo Cudicini out after he pulled a muscle in their Champions League game against Fenerbahce and usual No1 Petr Cech has a silly hat, oh no sorry, a cut face. However according to Villa no approach has been made. I must admit I don’t remember any Premiership club rushing to our aid when we had all our keepers out, we ended up with Kiraly from Crystal Palace, so if Chelsea do ask, I’d suggest a massive fee or a big NO!? Then again, I’m a miserable git!
More bad news for Sullivan and Brady. I’ve heard when the case goes to court, Ridgewell will be acting for the defence! Sullivan & Brady Singing The Blues?
Martin O’Neill is hoping that Gareth Barry can continue his Bolton form on for the rest of the season. He also has dismissed reports linking him with Chelsea saying the Stamford Bridge lot have not been in contact despite links for a couple of seasons. He also points out that Barry has 2 years left on his contract. Might be the right time to extend that surely? A rumour – and I stress it is just a rumour – in our forum suggests Barry might be used in a swap deal for Peter Crouch and John Arne Riise from Liverpool. O’Neill Dismisses Barry Chelsea Link
Villa Youth take on Norwich away tomorrow. Tony McAndrew told www.avfc.co.uk: ‘We’re away to Norwich and that’s another tough game. Norwich have always got a decent Academy side and it’s always a really good pitch, so we’re looking forward to it. We’re looking to end on a high just to set us up for the play-offs. At all football clubs when teams are winning there’s a totally different atmosphere.’ Adding, ‘The season isn’t over after tomorrow’s game. We’ve got the play-offs and quite a few of the lads are still involved with Kevin MacDonald and the reserves. So there’ll be no thoughts of easing up.’
Vital Villa asked in our latest poll: Should Villa Re-sign Peter Crouch? Seems the majority have it with 53% saying yes, he is an England international and a further 12% saying yes, if there are none better about! That left 2% unsure and 33% saying NO.
Our latest poll asks for your predictions v Derby at the weekend.
Martin O’Neill knows that Villa have got to get back to their mean defending ways after conceding way too many goals this season The Villa boss told the official site that they’ve got to work to put that right for next season after going on a run of 20 games without a clean sheet. ‘If we’re going to progress and continue progressing in the manner we’re doing, which is pretty pleasing, we’re going to have to concede less goals.’ He also says that Zat Knight has more to learn: Zat’s The Way To Do It
Martin Laursen says Villa need to focus on one game at a time up until the end of the season. He said in the Birmingham Post: ‘We have Derby coming up at Pride Park and then Birmingham City but we can’t allow ourselves to look further than the game ahead. We need to focus on Derby. On paper we have a great chance to pick up three points but it is never easy in football.’ Adding, ‘If Portsmouth use all their energy now on the FA Cup, especially as they are in the final now, then we just need to pick up all the points we can and try and finish on a high because Europe is still a possibility.
Martin O’Neill has spoken about our Togolese international signing Moustapha Salifou and says at some stage he does want to give him a first team start. Full article: Villa’s Zidane Close To Start
Gabby Agbonhalor has spoken about not making the final cut for the England squad v France last month. ‘Being left out of the last England squad did not affect my confidence. There’s not a chance of that happening. Myself and Youngy have been on the fringe of it which shows we must have done something right. If we keep working hard and perform like we did against Bolton, we will get in there.’ Adding, ‘At this stage of my career getting into the 30, never mind the final 23, is a bonus and shows that you are in Mr Capello’s thoughts.’
Great article on the Vital Arsenal site about the state of the game: Click Here
Thought for the day: I enjoy using the comedy technique of self-deprecation – but I’m not very good at it. (Arnold Brown)
