Martin O’Neill Archive

Villa head for Wigan..

By
Stuart
Published: March 16, 2010Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Villa head for Wigan..

Villa head up to Lancashire tonight to take on Wigan at the D.W Stadium.

They currently lie 6 points adrift of fourth place Tottenham with two games in hand so a win tonight would take them to just three points behind Spurs.

The boys in Claret and Blue haven’t conceded a goal in there last five away outing’s including there goalless draw with Midland rivals Stoke at the weekend.

Wigan on the other hand are hard to predict. They beat Liverpool last week at home, while getting thrashed away from home at Bolton the weekend.

The home side lie just four points above the drop zone so will be looking to pick up points wherever possible.

Mario Melchiot is the only absentee for Roberto Martinez has he has a thing injury which has kept him out of the last two games.

Gabby Agbonlahor is expected to return to the starting lineup after recovering from his virus, as either John Carew or Emile Heskey will make way.

This isn’t the easiest game to predict with the way Wigan are however Villa usually do well up here and will want to avoid losing to Wigan twice in one season after the home defeat in the very first game of the campaign.

Avillafan.com Prediction: Away Win.

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

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