O’Neill and More Milner talk!
Lets face it we have a very good manager and one who is always going to be linked with top clubs so it is no real surprise that Liverpool apparently want Martin O’Neill to replace the possible outgoing Rafa Benitez.
Liverpool have had a absolute terrible season, and with the manager refusing to commit himself to the club despite just signing a long term deal and the ownership of the club in the air it’s no wonder they want a manager who can bring stab-ability.
And in my opinion there are two options for this and that’s Martin O’Neill and David Moyes and I don’t think Moyes is brave enough to move across Stanley Park after so long with the Blue side of Mersyside.
Randy Lerner has already said Martin will be at Villa Park next season and he has today come out in the press again stating that he wouldn’t allow O’Neill to move to Liverpool so that is that.
James Milner
According to a lot of the press Milner is already on his way out of Villa Park but unless he says he want’s to leave I don’t think he will be leaving as Villa wont sell him – after all we don’t need to.
Apparently Man City and Chelsea will do battle for his signature and will sign him for around £24million. Let’s face it this isn’t the first James Milner rumour and It wont be the last – It’s what comes with top quality players.
£45million for Gabby and Young? Cya boys!
There are reports today that Roberto Mancini is planning a audacious bid for two of our players – Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor.
But as the title suggest he believes that a £45million deal would be enough to secure the pair – well my response to Mancini is – what the hell are you waiting for?
I will probably get shot by many Villa fans but I’ve never seen the big fuss over Ashley Young. To say he creates so much is just silly really as he probably delivers a decent ball into the box once a game – twice if we are lucky.
And then there’s Gabby. I was one of his biggest critics before this season and I will hold my hand up and give credit where it’s due. Agbonlahor has improved as a footballer but I cant see him ever being that 25+ goal a season player.
Just think what we could do with £45million. I know Stephen Ireland looks to be leaving City and he would probably be aloud to leave for around the region of £6-7million and that would still leave over £30million to bring in more talent.
Then there is that striker that we have craved for so long – If you can’t find a decent striker with that kind of money then you really are in trouble.
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.
James Milner, John Carew & Paul Scharner
Manchester City are the latest club to be linked with a summer move for our main man Jimmy Milner.
City’s rivals United have been linked with him on and off in the past month so It was only right that money bags Man City got involved.
I personally don’t think Milners going anywhere, and I fully expect him to sign a new deal in the summer. The reports are stating we want £24 million for our prize asset. Come on, Martin O’Neill wanted £18 million for a much older Gareth Barry. If someone was to take him I think it would set the back closer to the £30 million mark.
Martin O’Neill today stated:
James is still under contract with us and it’s a case of dampening fires that weren’t there in the first place.
We want the best players to stay here at Aston Villa so we can keep the momentum going. But I have kind of accepted it now. If it is not James it will be Ashley Young and if it is not Ashley it might be Richard Dunne and then someone else the following week.
The only way James Milner is going to leave Villa Park is if he openly states he want’s to leave Villa Park and for a man who look’s like he’s enjoying his time in Birmingham I personally can’t see this happening any time soon.
John Carew
John Carew is today being linked with a move to Roy Hodgson’s Fulham.
This one is a weird one because I have a feeling John Carew will be one of the player’s leaving in the Summer. I don’t think he gets on that well with Martin O’Neill and it’s no secret that Martin would rather play with Emile Heskey and Gabriel Agbonlahor.
And when you think about it Fulham is the sort of club that would really love John Carew and not to forget there seem’s to be a bit of a Scandanivian contribute at the club.
Paul Scharner
Paul Scharner has apparently put Villa, Everton and Fulham on red alert after telling Wigan that he won’t be signing a new deal at the end of the season and will be leaving on a bosman free transfer.
He has stated that he want’s to play European football so there’s no reason to stay at the DW Stadium.
I’m not sure what I think of this one if I’m honest. Every time I’ve seen the Austrian play for Wigan he’s made mistakes and hasn’t really stood out as a player. But then again could he provide some much needed back up to the squad – a player who you would be happy to replace one of your first eleven when tiredness intervenes.
Carling Cup Final Ticket News
We dont usually inform you of ticket news but with this being the Carling Cup Final i thought it was only right that i do so. Avfc.co.uk released the details this afternoon as i said they would this morning.
All Villa supporters will be located in the ‘West Stand‘ of Wembley Stadium.
Tickets will be available to buy for season ticket holders only at first at the ticket office, online or by the telephone. Ticket prices range from £38 – £80 depending on where you want to sit and will be sold on a first come basis.
Buying Windows
Wednesday January 27: B2, B3, B5, B6 and Wheelchair Spaces
Thursday January 28: A3, A4, A5 and A6
Friday January 29: P3, P4, P5, P6, P7 and P8
Saturday January 30: M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5
Sunday January 31: On sale to Personal Callers only to the Villa Village Ticket Office, Villa Park 10am to 4pm to those sitting in any blocks listed above.
Monday February 1: K3, K4 and K6
Tuesday February 2: K1, K2, K5 and K7
Wednesday February 3: C1, C2,C3,C4,C5,C6 and C7
Thursday February 4: A1, A2, A7, A8, B1, B7, C8, C9, P1 and P2
Friday February 5: L4, L5 and L6
Saturday February 6: L1, L2,L3, L7, L8 and L9
Sunday February 7: On sale to Personal Callers only to the Villa Village Ticket Office, Villa Park 10- 4pm to those sitting in any blocks listed above.
Monday February 8: T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5
Tuesday February 9: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7
Wednesday February 10 to Friday February 12: Final opportunity for any STH to purchase a ticket.
Monday February 15: All remaining tickets go on priority sale.
For more information please check out the official website
