Bohemians defeat and Spurs join Milner Race.
Villa lost there second pre-season game in three yesterday when they went down to Irish champions Bohemians 2-1.
A game that sore well over 700 Villa fans turn up for the fixture, sore them leave disappointed with many stating that a certain James Milner needs to go and be replaced as soon as possible.
The home side took the lead despite Villa missing a host of chances when Brad Friedel miscued his clearance which then fell kindly for Conor Powell who then lobbed the Villa keeper.
Villa were back on level terms with 21 minutes left on the clock when man of the match Marc Albrighton sent over a fantastic ball witch met big John Carews head who steered the ball into the back of the net.
Bohemians were to have the last laugh though when they scored late on witch was enough to beat Villa. Enzo and Maddan combined beautifully to unlock the Villa defence before Enzo slotted past Brad Friedel.
Although this is a nothing game, It is a game we have to be winning especially against a side who got hammered last week to TNS and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
‘Arry joins the Milner Race
Harry Redknapp has joined the race to sign James Milner and this could be just what Villa need to force the price up to around £30million as MON as stated he wants.
City looked like they wasn’t going to budge on there £24million offer but now with competition they will have to if they want to get there man.
Just like the Barry saga last summer, I just wish we could get this sorted and get it over and done with so we can move on.
Pre-Season: Peterborough 2 Aston Villa 3
Villa headed to London Road tonight for there first pre-season game of the summer to take on League 1 outfit Peterborough.
John Carew came close early on but it was the home side who looked more dangerous at a very muggy London Road.
However, it was Villa who took the lead thanks to Ashley Young. He took a touch before superbly lobbing Lewis in the boro goal in a goal that was described as one of the best you will see in a pre-season fixture.
Posh equalised almost immedietly thanks to Aaron Davis. He fooled the Villa backline before beating two Villa players and slotting past Brad Friedel in the Villa goal.
Both sides created chances and came close but Villa once again took the lead. John Carew converted a cross with a neat little flick and it went in of the inside of the post.
Villa soon doubled there lead when Eric Lichaj fired a header past Joe Lewis to make it 3-1.
The home side then pulled one back thanks to Charlie Lee but it wasn’t good enough to give the home side a share of the spiles.
It was a useful run out for Martin O’Neill’s head before the head over to Ireland this coming weekend.
Rodallega and Der Wiel on O’Neill’s wish-list?
Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega is apparently a target of Martin O’Neill and we are to do battle with Arsenal for the front man’s signature.
Owner Dave Whelan has already stated that he won’t stand in the way of Hugo if a big club come knocking as he tend’s to say with many of his players.
Rodallega, who scored 13 goals last season has already stated that he has received a offer from Arsene Wenger and Arsenal but nothing official is yet to be made.
The Daily Star goes on to say that Villa have scouted Hugo for some time and that they want to replace John Carew and Emile Heskey who are both targets for Fiorentina and Stoke.
I don’t think there is much truth in this story for a couple of reasons. One being Arsenal have just snapped up Marouane Chamakh on a free transfer and Arsene doesn’t like to splash the cash which this deal is supposedly worth around £10million.
Also, the article says that Martin O’Neill will switch his targets after losing out on Nikola Zigic – which Villa released a statement earlier this week declaring they never had any interest in the player what so ever.
Gregory van der Wiel
O’Neill is said to want Gregory Van Der Wiel in a deal set to be worth around £4million to replace the outbound Luke Young and Habib Beye.
For those who don’t know much about Der Wiel, I’ve done a little scouting around. He’s 22 years old and plays his trade for Ajax. Last week he was also named as part of the Holland party to be going to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
MON could be making a big mistake!
Martin O’Neill is to allow several players to leave this summer so it can bolster is transfer kitty for next season but I’m questioning a couple of his decisions.
Curtis Davis has been linked with moves to both Spurs and Liverpool. This is a side who finished in the top four and another one which will no doubt be back challenging for the top four again next season wanting a player who is apparently not good enough for Aston Villa.
I like Curtis a lot and I believe he will one day represent England at the top level so I don’t see why O’Neill would rather keep James Collins who isn’t anywhere near as good as some make him out to be. Yes he’s good in the air but apart from that he is terrible.
And this leads me to the other player, Luke Young. Again because of O’Neill’s persistent to play James Collins it is forcing out the best English right back around. He couldn’t drop Carlos Cuellar because he is possibly our best defender when he plays in his own rightful position so that leave’s Luke Young in the wildness.
I don’t question many of Martin’s decision’s but I firmly believe that letting both of the two players I’ve mentioned could turn out to be a major regret for Martin.
Meanwhile John Carew has been linked with a move to Italy and Villa have been linked with a move for Adam Matthews of Cardiff.
Moneybags City to strong for fighting Villa!
Manchester City eventually won 3-1 witch probably flattered them a little against a fighting Aston Villa.
The result no signals the end for Villa Champions League hope’s and means Manchester City go into the game against Spurs in mid-week slight favourites to take the 4th spot.
Villa took the lead against the run of play after 16 minutes. Stewart Downing probably made one of the best run’s forward he’s made since signing for Villa, before playing in John Carew who then turns Kolo Toure and slips the ball underneath Marton Fullop.
Villa looked almost certain to go into the half time break with a deserved lead until Steven Warnock brought down Adam Johnson in the area. Carlos Tevez stepped up and scored the resulting penalty kick.
Carew nearly scored his second of the game to give Villa back the lead after again turning Toure but was this time denied by the cross bar.
Manchester City however did take their chance when they broke free and Johnson picks out Emmanuel Adebayor who scores from six yards out.
In the second half Villa went for it, as City sat back and Martin O’Neill introduced both Emile Heskey and Nathan Delfouneso.
However, City caught Villa on the counter attack very late in the game when Shaun Wright Phillips fed Craig Bellamy a ball into the area and he smashed the ball home.
I can’t really be disappointed in today’s result, the players and the manager both went for the win but in the end we just wasn’t good enough. Let’s just hope Chelsea can now beat Liverpool so we stay in the top 6 and not drop to 7th.
