Aston Villa Vs Rapid Vienna Preview
Thursday’s crucial cup tie between Aston Villa and Rapid Vienna kick off. Last time these two played it ended 1-1.
Dunne wants Ireland, Warnock thinks we will lose Milner.
The internet and the paper are just full of what two of our players think and want this summer.
First of all it is not good when a player of our own club comes out and states that he believes we will lose James Milner this summer.
It make’s me wonder if he’s heard or seen something in the England Camp this past week or so for him to believe this but he should be keeping his mouth shut and concentrating on trying to force his way into the England setup especially after Leighton Baines poor performance last night against Mexico.
I often wonder why players are aloud to talk so much in the press and it annoys the hell out of me, but eh? I’m just a football fan and I don’t run a football club so what do I know? Saying that it gives me something to write about here I suppose.
Stephen Ireland
Now there are rumours around that Stephen Ireland has handed in a transfer request to seek first team football elsewhere but I have searched everywhere and I can’t seem to find anything official on this.
Anyway, Richard Dunne has stated that he would welcome Stephen Ireland to Aston Villa with open arms and If Martin O’Neill is interested I think Dunne could just be the reason why Ireland joins Aston Villa.
But you have to question at what cost though? Would Man City want to sell to us unless we allowed James Milner to move in the other direction? They have been linked with a move for Mikel Arteta today and again it makes you wonder if they have given up on Milner and are looking elsewhere but I can’t see Arteta leaving Everton as he seem’s to be very loyal towards David Moyes.
So as much as we keep talking about in’s and out’s and our neighbours across the City look to be on the verge of signing there second player already this summer we still sit around waiting for some kind of news to come out of Villa Park.
Villa lose to Blackburn
Blackburn did the double over Villa in the league this season, very much the same as we did in the cup over them.
The game had end of season wrote all over it, with two sides that looked like they had very little to play for. Villa were lucky that Liverpool failed to pick up three points away at already relegated Hull or they could of finished 7th.
Never the less we have finished 6th for the third season running now but this season we have enjoyed runs in both domestic cups.
It was a Richard Dunne own goal that came six minutes from time that gifted Blackburn all three points which was a bit unfair on possibly the best player on the pitch yesterday and one of Villa’s best all season.
Villa had there chances in the first half when Gabby Agbonlahor and James Collins both forced saves out of Paul Robinson which would of done his England chances no harm what so ever.
Both sides could of easily had a penalty on another day when David Dunn was brought down by Collins in the Villa area only to be shown a yellow card for diving, and Christopher Samba brought down John Carew five minutes later. Replays later showed that both sides had a good case for a penalty.
It was a dissapointing result to lose against a side who are very poor away from home but never the less we would of finished sixth regardless because of how results went elsewhere.
Overall a decent season and we can now go away enjoy our summers and the World Cup and look forward to the new season.
End of Season Award Winners
It was no surprise when James Milner was last night the big winner at the Aston Villa End of Season Awards bash.
The star who has been in fantastic form was voted Players Player of the Year, Goal of the Season for his strike against Sunderland and the Terrace Trophy which is voted for by the Lions Network.
Terrace Trophy – James Milner
As reported last night on our Facebook page Richard Dunne picked up the Supporters Player of the Season and again it’s no real surprise after his fantastic performances at the heart of the Villa back line.
Supporters Player of the Year – James Milner
Players and Supporters Young Player of the Year went to Nathan Delfouneso for the second season running, while Former Player of the Year went to Former European Cup winning full back Colin Gibson.
Dunne a doubt for Wednesday
Richard Dunne is a doubt for Wednesday nights clash with Sunderland.
Dunne limped off in the Wolves game after aggravating his Achilles problem.
The former Manchester City star’s ever-present record in the premiership since signing for Villa is now under threat.
As the big run of games start to take their toll on our squad I’m asking the question, would this be such a bad thing anyway?
Don’t get me wrong, I like Dunne as much as the next fan, but we have been vulnerable at right back for some time now and surely this would be Luke Young’s opportunity to regain his place in the starting line up?
Carlos Cuellar could then move into the centre and play alongside James Collins.
And Martin O’Neill stated that Gabriel Agbonlahor is once again a doubt for Sunderland:
“His groin wasn’t too bad but he stubbed his foot in training and opened up the ligaments in the joint which was a real blow for him and for us,”
And if this is the case Martin, have some balls and play Nathan Delfouneso alongside John Carew, or just play one up front.
Emile Heskey and John Carew can’t play together and Carew’s on a rich vein of goal scoring form so he can’t be dropped.
