Martin O’Neill Archive

FA Cup Preview: Reading v Aston Villa

By
Stuart
Published: March 6, 2010Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
FA Cup Preview: Reading v Aston Villa

Forget about what happened in the past, and let’s look forward to now. Villa head down to Reading tomorrow in the Quarter finals of the FA Cup and we want to go back to Wembley.

A lot is being made of this theory that Villa haven’t won in March under Martin O’Neill but I fully expect this voodoo, or whatever you want to call it to be broken, and broken in style as Reading face the backlash of last week’s result.

Villa will be backed by a strong 4,000 travelling fans as Villa sold their whole capacity for the game earlier on in the week.

The FA Cup is known to be the romantic cup, they cup that allows the giant killings and Reading is proof of this. With a massive victory over Liverpool under their belts they are going to want to repeat that result against Villa.

Reading will be without on-loan Blackburn defender Zurab Khizanishvili (Cup Tied), Jobi McAnuff (Suspended), Jem Karacan (Hand Injury), and Kalifa Cisse (dead leg). However, the good news for the Royals is Shane Long should return to the bench.

Villa should have a full side to pick from as long as non on the International stars have returned with injuries.

Reading won’t just roll over and die in this game and they will put on a battle, but I fully expect Villa to win here simply because we are the better side.

Avillafan.com Prediction: Away Win.

Mass clear out in the Summer?

By
Stuart
Published: March 4, 2010Tags: , , , , , ,
Mass clear out in the Summer?

There are plenty of players in the Villa setup at the moment that look like they could be on their way out this summer. But the question on many people’s lips is, will they be replaced?

Habib Beye was rumoured to be in talks with Sunderland in January, but nothing actually come of it, but that doesn’t mean the player is ready to stay at Villa Park beyond the summer. Today’s Daily Star quotes him saying that he’s upset at only playing 10 games in all competitions this season.

Emile Heskey is another who could be on his way. I personally think that Emile has had a good season with Villa, and he’s my choice of striker to play alongside Gabby.

John Carew hasn’t looked himself since he was punished for his of the field antics when he visited a very popular gentleman’s club on Broad Street. When he does play he doesn’t look interested and when he doesn’t play he doesn’t look like he wants to fight for his position.

Nigel Reo-Coker is one player I expect to leave for certain once he’s fit again. It’s no secret he fell out with Martin O’Neill and despite them apparently making up; I can’t see O’Neill wanting to keep him at Villa Park.

So that’s four players who could possibly be leaving, and with Randy Lerner apparently looking for cut backs, will these players be replaced with better players? Or will we have to make do with youth?

Season begins now for Aston Villa

By
Stuart
Published: February 18, 2010Tags: , , ,
Season begins now for Aston Villa

We’ve reached the business side of the season now when results start to actually mean something, and a defeat could mean your whole season is over.

Villa have had a week free this week, with no game until Sunday when we take on Burnley in the Premier League, so Martin O’Neill has given some of the players a much needed rest.

James Milner has started to look jagged over the past few games and with the biggest game of his career just over one week away, it’s something he and the rest of the lads need.

We all remember last season and how it ended, and instead of going abroad somewhere Martin has given the players a few days of just to chill with family and friends and I personally believe this will benefit us more than it would if the players went away.

The reason I say this is because they are at home spending time with their kids, and this is something most footballers love to do. They can get up when they want, take the kids to and from school – quite possibly things they can’t do in their usual day to day running of things.

But unlike other seasons when we have faded, this season we can’t and it’s time for the players who have been spoke about for quite a long time now about possible potential they do or don’t have to step up to the plate.

This side could go on to become winners in the future, and I’m not just talking about this season, I’m talking about the future seasons.

Preview: Aston Villa v Manchester United

By
Stuart
Published: February 10, 2010Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Preview: Aston Villa v Manchester United

What a game we have at Villa Park tonight, a Carling Cup Final Preview, Aston Villa vrs Manchester United.

Since Villa’s historic win up at Old Trafford earlier in the season Manchester United have only lost one league game since, and that was away at Craven Cottage.

While Villa on the other hand look solid at the back at the moment, with four clean sheets in the last four games.

Teamnews for Villa see’s Emile Heskey very doubtful with a groin problem which could see a start for John Carew, while Stephen Warnock is still out.

I wish i could say for Manchester United, Wayne Rooney is suspended but it simple isnt the case. The only player they are missing is Rio Ferdinand who will be serving his third game from his four match ban. Nemanja Vidic could play some part and play his first game in 2010.

If Villa manage a victory over the Red Devils it will be there first League double over Alex Ferguson’s side in 55 years.

Its going to be a very hard game and when you have in my opinion the best player in the World in your side, in Wayne Rooney anything is possible.

AVILLAFAN.COM Prediction: Draw

The story so far.. James Milner

By
Stuart
Published: February 3, 2010Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
The story so far.. James Milner

Just under eighteen months ago James Milner had signed for Aston Villa and was making his second debut for the club against Liverpool.

In the 18 months hes gone from warming up the bench to possibly the first name on Martin O’Neill’s teamsheet. The yorkshireman has made such a impact in his short time at Villa park he is now virtually a dead cert to be boarding the plane to this summers World Cup in South Africa.

On his 23rd birthday, Villa played Gillingham in the FA Cup third Round at the Priestfield. The midfielder managed to score both goals that day in a 2-1 victory for the Villans.

He also went on to score his first premier league goal against Sunderland in January 2009, at the Stadium of Light. Milner headed home a Ashley Young cross to equalise for Villa that day in a game they went on to win 2-1.

It was February 7th when supporters from across the country started to sit up and take notice of this young talent. Fabio Capello named Milner in his England squad.

However it wasn’t until August 2009 when he made his first team international debut, when he came of the bench for 23 minutes against Holland. He made such a impact in that time that he set up a goal for Jermaine Defoe which gave England a share of the spoils that day as the game ended 2-2.

Milner, was originally a wide man but in the 2009/10 season he has been moved into the centre of the midfield and now some compare him to Chelsea star Frank Lampard.

His workrate is second to none and one thing you can guarentee about James Milner, is he will always give 100%.

When he signed many questions his big price tag, however if you ask any Villa fans right now im sure they would agree with me that his pricetag was just a snippet of what hes worth now and it would take a lot for any club to prize him away from Aston Villa.

Its amazing what 18 months can do, lets hope we see James Milner playing in a Villa shirt for the next 8-10 years.

So remember, Theres only one Jimmy Milner!

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