Villa looking to tie up Barry with record deal. http://www.people.co.uk/sport/footb...objectid=21014898&siteid=93463-name_page.html
MON is saying that Carew is making progress and the reports of 'missing rest of season' are wrong. Good news as Villa will need him and January purchases to keep top 4.
Former Aston Villa captain Johnny Dixon dies. http://www.birminghammail.net/news/...lla-captain-johnny-dixon-dies-97319-22745181/ He made 430 appearances and scored 144 goals. RIP.
Barry is out against Everton because he (deliberately?) kicked the ball into the stands celebrating Gabby's goal against Blackburn. That's his 5th yellow. Luke Young pulled out of the England squad with a toe injury. His comments indicated he's just being cautious ahead of a big month of games for Villa. I haven't heard anything about Heskey, Reo-Coker or Cuellar. Cuellar's injury was just hamstring tightening, so I assume he'll be ok. Heskey is still in the England squad so I assume he'll be ok. Hopefully Reo-Coker is ok because he's great cover at RB and CM. We have 3 games in 7 days starting with Everton in the FA Cup so we'll need as much of the squad as possible.
Capello may not be welcome back at Villa Park after all. "Martin O'Neill last night expressed his frustration with Fabio Capello for playing Emile Heskey in Spain on Wednesday night after the Aston Villastriker exacerbated an achilles tendon problem that makes him a major doubt for tomorrow's FA Cup fifth-round tie at Everton. O'Neill said that he intends to speak to the England manager, whom he believes took an unnecessary risk by selecting a player who was not fully fit for a friendly match. Heskey was withdrawn during Villa's 2–0 win at Blackburn last Saturday after he complained that he was struggling with his achilles, but he was compelled to report for England duty to be assessed by the medical staff. O'Neill had expected Heskey to return along with Luke Young, who pulled out of the squad with a toe problem but, much to the Villa manager's "surprise", he played until half-time, when he was replaced by Peter Crouch. O'Neill reported that the 31-year-old was unable to train because his achilles is "particularly sore" and suggested it was highly unlikely he would feature at Goodison Park, although he acknowledged that Heskey may have contributed to the problem through his desire to "play in a bit of discomfort". "It's a friendly game at the end of it all," said the Villa manager, who had considered contacting Capello to urge him to rest several of Villa's players. "Qualifying games are important to the wellbeing of the country. But it was a friendly game and you can lose. There's always a possibility of players getting injured, but if someone has got injured beforehand, I'm not sure [playing them] is a risk worth taking." O'Neill is expected to start John Carew alongside Gabriel Agbonlahor because of Heskey's injury. "He didn't come off because he was tired. He actually had a problem, but England deemed him fit to play in the game. I have spoken to the England doctor and obviously voiced some concerns there. I will speak to the management team." Heskey's setback could hardly have come at a worse time for O'Neill, with Villa facing three games in the next seven days that could define their season. Following the Everton fixture, Villa host CSKA Moscow in the Uefa Cup knock-out stages on Wednesday before the pivotal meeting with Chelsea in the Premier League a week on Saturday. It is a punishing schedule and one that may prompt O'Neill to prioritise the Chelsea fixture by resting players in the lead-up. "Here we are in mid-February involved in three competitions," said O'Neill, who added that he was surprised by Chelsea's decision to sack Luiz Felipe Scolari and claimed that the Brazilian was not given enough time. "This time in a fortnight, we might be in one. That's something I've been used to as a player in the past and I think that it can happen. But I'm not sure [the next week] will shape our season. The momentum in the Premier League is very important." http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/feb/13/astonvilla-everton
Juan Pablo Angel signs contract!!!!!!! with the NY Red Bulls Angel commits to Red Bulls Published: 16/02/2009 Former Colombia international Juan Pablo Angel has signed a contract extension with the New York Red Bulls. The ex-Aston Villa man has been the most impressive of the high-priced designated players in Major League Soccer, scoring 33 goals in 47 games since signing for the Red Bulls in April 2007. The Red Bulls did not disclose any terms of the extension, but confirmed it is for more than one season. Reports in the United States suggest the contract will keep the 33-year-old in New York until 2011. "I'm very excited to extend my contract with the Red Bulls," Angel said. "As I have said in the past, I think that the League is very competitive and is growing every year. "Red Bull has shown me that they are dedicated to improving the club and the quality of the sport year after year and I am looking forward to being a part of it as we move into a brand new stadium next season." http://www.itv.com/Sport/Football/N...emi/Angel-commits-to-Red-Bulls-233835138.html http://www.metrofanatic.com/story.jsp?ID=5063 http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_...plete-multiyear-extension-for-angel.html#more One of favorite former Villians and a incredibly nice gentleman. I took my boys to a Red Bulls camp at Giants Stadium this summer, and my oldest boy was there in his home 32RED AV jersey. Some of the Red Bulls players were doing some stretchs at the far end of the field and one of them pointed my boy out to Angel. He came jogging over with a ball which he signed then and there and gave him a huge smile. You would have thought my son had just seen the second coming. He spent a good 5 minutes with us just smiling and signing whatever the kids put in front of him. Just thought I would share.
He sounds like a great guy. He had one amazing season but couldn't maintain it, still one of Villa's highest goal scorers since the EPL started though
O'Neil isn't taking Gareth Barry, Brad Friedel, Emile Heskey, James Milner, Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Carlos Cuellar and Stiliyan Petrov to Moscow. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7900035.stm
Thanks for the interesting news! I can't say as that I blame him after what happened in the Chelsea match. A top three finish in the EPL is the prize and anything else must be regarded as gravy. Besides its not like he is taking a bunch of scrubs. With the possible exception of Guzan this bunch should still be able to handle the job. How cold is it in Moskva anyhow?
Wilfred Bouma close to return after 8 month injury http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/7974182.stm
Our squad is still thin despite the recent signings and some of those signings have proved that they belong on the bench eg shorey and young. Injuries havent helped us either. We're gona have to beef up the squad with quality signings at the end of the season without losing the quality players that we do have. There are weaknesses all over the park at the moment LB, RB, DC (with Laursen out), we could also use a proven scorer and perhaps a keeper young enough and good enough to challenge Friedel and to give him a break during the season.
News: American Eric Lichaj signs a new 3 year deal! Hopefully we get to see more of him this year! Injuries: No Cueller or Collins on saturday
Hope this is the write place to ask this...but what do you guys think the starting XI should be this season (or at least for now)? Thanks!
I think it's a good question, but possibly a loaded question. One of the problems under MON was that the same players played every day. We may be sitting on some real un-used, not seen talents as was evident with Albrighton and Clark on Saturday. Also, keep in mind, Mon bought but rarely used NRC, Habib Beye and a few other players that may crack the lineup. I think we are in for an exciting year! As for the Guarantees, I would go with: Friedl Petrov Gabby Cuellar Dunne Collins Warnock Carew in every game but not always starting. And if Albrighton keeps this up, why not?
