Stephen Warnock Archive

The World Cup, Prediction League and Transfer Rumours..

The World Cup, Prediction League and Transfer Rumours..

With the World Cup just a matter of days away now there isn’t much football talk relating to Aston Villa at the moment because as you would expect its more about the biggest sports competition on the planet.

Incase you wasnt already aware we will be covering games on Avillafan.com that features Aston Villa players so this place will still be active.

If you havent already check out and join our brand new World Cup Prediction League where you have the opurtunity to win a World Cup replica shirt of your choice, sponsored by Soccerpro’s World Cup Jerseys

Transfer Rumours

As I already stated there isn’t a lot to write about on this front. We have been linked with a possible move for Martin Petrov who has been released from his contract at Man City – a player I wouldn’t mind being given a short term contract.

‘Arry Redknapp is reportedly willing to offer around £10million and Robbie Keane to take Gabby Agbonlahor of us which I don’t think will be happening any time soon seeing as Gabby is one of O’Neill’s golden boys.

England v Allstars

James Milner, Stephen Warnock and Emile Heskey all featured in Englands 3-0 victory over local South African side Platinum Allstars yesterday afternoon.

All three played the second half and now many believe Heskey will be the player to start along side Wayne Rooney against the USA on Saturday.

England’s goals come from Jermaine Defoe, Joe Cole and Wayne Rooney.

Capello picks Villa trio

Capello picks Villa trio

Fabio Capello today named James Milner, Stephen Warnock and Emile Heskey in his final 23 man squad that will travel to South Africa this week and try to win the 2010 World Cup.

This is the first time in history that Aston Villa will have three players representing England in the worlds biggest competition.

James Milner was always expected to be included in the squad because of his fantastic season, Capello’s remarks about him and of course how versatile he is.

Emile Heskey isn’t everybody’s cup of tea when it comes to Villa, let alone England but I firmly believe he brings the best out of Wayne Rooney and he will be the player that will win us the World Cup so I’m all for Emile going to South Africa.

The real surprise came when Stephen Warnock was picked instead of Everton’s Leighton Baines. Baines featured in 2 pre-world cup friendlies while Warnock didn’t feature at all and it looked certain that Warnock wouldn’t be going.

Weather we agree with Fabio or not – his squad is picked now and in ten days time we will all stand as one to support our nation.

Here is the squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham)

Defenders: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City).

Forwards: Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).

Four Villa Players could feature for England…

Four Villa Players could feature for England…

Four Aston Villa players could be in-line to feature at some point in tonight’s International friendly between England and Egypt at Wembley Stadium.

England regular Emile Heskey is the most likely to start out of the four, as he is a favourite of Wapello’s and is most likely to start alongside Wayne Rooney.

James Milner is also in with a big chance of starting. He’s gone from strength to strength this season, from being a World Cup hopeful to a certainty on the plane for next summer’s World Cup in South Africa.

Stephen Warnock will do battle with Everton full back Leighton Baines after Wayne Bridge ruled himself out last week and Ashley Coles injury.

And then finally there’s the return to the International fold for Stewart Downing. He was out with a broken leg and this is the first time he could return to the setup. I personally believe he’s least likely to play because I still think he’s capable of so much more at Villa – but then again Fabio Capello has made no secret of how much he rates the winger.

This is how tonight’s line-up could look like if he picked all four to start:

Joe Hart

Stephen Warnock – John Terry – Matthew Upson – Wesley Brown

Stewart Downing – Steven Gerrard – Frank Lampard – James Milner

Wayne Rooney – Emile Heskey

Preview: Aston Villa v Manchester United

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

Preview: Tottenham v Aston Villa

Preview: Tottenham v Aston Villa

Villa head down to North London today to take on Spurs in the 5.30pm kick off at White Hart Lane. For all those who don’t already know, the game is live on ESPN.

The race for the top four is really starting to hot up now with four teams all chasing the forth spot, and in Spurs and Villa, two of them take on eachother today.

The two sides met earlier on in the season and it ended up as a 2-2 draw at Villa Park.

Spurs boast a impressive home form this season which includes clean sheets in each of there last six home fixtures while Villa have won three of there last four games on the road.

Tottenham have Eidur Gudjohnson, Younes Kaboul and Kyle Walker all in the squad and could play some part in the fixture. David Bentley will continue in the starting line up at the expense of injured Aarron Lennon, while Luka Modric is looking for force is way back into the starting eleven.

Villa will welcome back John Carew who has missed the last four games with a knee injury, and he should start on the bench. Stiliyan Petrov is also likely to start despite a Achilles injury.

Stephen Warnock is the only real doubt as he is still struggling with a shin injury. Wilfred Bouma played 90 minutes in mid-week, but still doesn’t find himself on the bench as Martin O’Neill doesnt want him to rush back.

Going to be a good game with two sides who are very good at the back of late and also enjoy attacking football. This is a game that Villa must win if they want to really push for a top four spot and could climb above Spurs with a win this evening.

SKYBET Odds: Tottenham 11/10, Aston Villa 5/2, Draw 12/5

Avillafan.com Prediction: Draw.