Bohemians defeat and Spurs join Milner Race.
Villa lost there second pre-season game in three yesterday when they went down to Irish champions Bohemians 2-1.
A game that sore well over 700 Villa fans turn up for the fixture, sore them leave disappointed with many stating that a certain James Milner needs to go and be replaced as soon as possible.
The home side took the lead despite Villa missing a host of chances when Brad Friedel miscued his clearance which then fell kindly for Conor Powell who then lobbed the Villa keeper.
Villa were back on level terms with 21 minutes left on the clock when man of the match Marc Albrighton sent over a fantastic ball witch met big John Carews head who steered the ball into the back of the net.
Bohemians were to have the last laugh though when they scored late on witch was enough to beat Villa. Enzo and Maddan combined beautifully to unlock the Villa defence before Enzo slotted past Brad Friedel.
Although this is a nothing game, It is a game we have to be winning especially against a side who got hammered last week to TNS and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
‘Arry joins the Milner Race
Harry Redknapp has joined the race to sign James Milner and this could be just what Villa need to force the price up to around £30million as MON as stated he wants.
City looked like they wasn’t going to budge on there £24million offer but now with competition they will have to if they want to get there man.
Just like the Barry saga last summer, I just wish we could get this sorted and get it over and done with so we can move on.
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.
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!
Gardner to Blues?
Sky Sports are tonight reporting that Villa and Birmingham have agreed a fee for the transfer of Craig Gardner. The fee is believed to be in the region of £3.5million plus addons.
Gardner is expected to go to St Andrews next week for a medical and to complete the deal.
This will be the second player in recent years to move across the city after Liam Ridgewells move a few seasons ago.
There has always been questions asked about who Craig supports, although with him being from the Stetchford side of the city it would suggest hes a nose. Im sure he will show his colours if he does support them when he jumps ship.
Jones on Villa radar?
According to reports in todays papers Villa have emerged as favourites to sign Kenwyne Jones from Sunderland in a fee believed to be in the region of £12million.
It was rumoured that he could be on his way to either Birmingham, Stoke or even Tottenham.
Kenwyne Jones is not this 20 goal a season player a lot of fans believe we lack, but theres no doubt when on form he can cause a lot of problems for the opposition defenders. But thats where the problem comes, ‘when hes on form’, something in which he doesnt seem to do on a consistant basis.
And then theres the fact, is he really better than what we already have? John Carew and Emile Heskey can both do jobs – the same sort that Kenwyne Jones does, and in my opinion they are bother better players. Not to forget the most important thing the two players i say are better than Jones, combined are cheaper than the Trinidad international.
One of the newspapers reporting this story says that Emile Heskey will move to Liverpool, allowing this move. But lets think about it a little. Emile Heskey removing to the sinking ship on Merseryside? For a manager whos job looks to be gone sooner rather than later? A club that probably can’t even afford the £4-5million asking price Martin O’Neill would request.
I can’t honestly see either of these deals happening. Martin O’Neill made no secret with the fact that he has no plans to get involved in the transfer window, and i’ve seen nothing to suggest otherwise.
