Kevin MacDonald Open For Job
This is a very unexpected announcement from MacDonald after our defeat this weekend. MacDonald has said that it would be a “great opportunity” for him to manage Aston Villa on a permanent basis.
Villa No Rush For New Manager
Villa owner Randy Lerner is in no rush to appoint a new manager. It’s rumoured that Randy is yet to compile a shortlist of candidates for the job.
Full Time: Villa 0 West Ham 0
Villa could only manage a goaless draw at Villa Park today against West Ham in a game that we really should be taking all three points.
Its no secret that other clubs have sat up and took notice of whats been happening at Villa Park, as Fulham last season celebrated as if they had won the game when they drawed with us 0-0. This year it was West Hams turn to frustrate and then celebrate.
There used to be a time that the Eastend side would expect to give Villa a game, and although they did have a few chances today it was clear by Gianfranco Zolas tactics that they were here just to avoid defeat.
Villa also blew the chance to close the gap on Manchester City and Tottenham and now instead sit two points behind them after playing the same number of games.
It wasnt the most entertaining of games when there was only one chance really in the first half. Stewart Downing crossed the ball and a wonderful piece of skill sin Gabriel Agbonlahor with a spinning snap-shot only to be denied by England goalkeeper Robert Green.
In the second half Villa did get the ball in the hammers net, but John Carew was judged to of been offside.
And then Agbonlahor could of won all three points in the final minutes when Stewart Downing found him in acres of space and he broke free only to be denied once again by the West Ham goalkeeper.
Villa showed they struggle to break down a side who set out not to concede today and this route one football down the wings was once again found out. If we are to ever break the top 4 we must have more than just a plan A as its becoming obvious how Villa will attack each and every time now.
Craig Gardner, Carlos Cuellar and O’Neill on spending..
The Sunday morning papers are running in overdrive this morning when it comes to Aston Villa and thats not purely because they are taking on West Ham at Villa Park today.
Martin O’Neill has stated in the Daily Star that he would be in fact willing to splash the cash in order to improve on Villa’s season even though its not in Randy Lerners 5-year plan. Randy Lerner is set to return to England this week after a lenghy period in the States and O’Neill has stated he wants to sit down with the chairman.
This is Martin O’Neill talking here remember though, he has a tendancy to say what the fans want to hear, we just need to remember that actions always speaker louder than words.
The Birmingham Mail are going with more talk from Martin O’Neill, this time about our strong versatile defender Carlos Cuellar. The Spanish star has been linked with moves to Barcelona, Real Madrid and Seville this month but O’Neill has stated that Carlos Cuellar is going nowhere.
I dont think you would find a player whos playing in the best league in the world, playing week in week out and trying to break into his countries world cup squad would risk it by moving clubs and possible wrecking his chances wanting to leave really can you?
Another story from the Mail, is about Craig Gardners move to local rivals Birmingham City. Is it on or off? Would he move across the City or not? Apparently they are on the verge of making a new £3.5million offer for the former England under 21 star after already having a lower bid rejected.
Gardner is a good player in my opinion and he does owe it to himself to move clubs and get regular first team football, but would he really move to Birmingham City? Hes always said hes Villa through and through, but this is football and as Liam Ridgewell proved it could work in his favour.
I think this is a interesting one and i will be watching on very closely.
Meanwhile, as i already stated we entertain West Ham today in the battle of the ‘Claret & Blue’. There are still tickets available from £18 – £40 so be sure to get down to Villa Park and get behind the lads. After-all a win will take us joing forth, with Tottenham and Manchester City.
Preview: Villa v West Ham
Aston Villa welcome Gianfranco Zola’s relegation fighting West Ham side to Villa Park tomorrow as they look to take revenge on the defeat they suffered at Upton Park earlier in the season.
Villa, are currently on a high after getting there one foot in the Wembley door after Thursday’s win over Blackburn at Ewood Park although Villa havent won in two league games after defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal.
Brad Friedel will be recalled after sitting out Thursdays nights game, and Luke Young could replace James Collins in the side as Carlos Cueller will move back into the center.
West Ham on the other hand will be looking to avoid there fourth defeat on the bounce away from home. Zola has no first team strikers at his disposal so Freddy Sears and Frank Nouble are both on line for starts.
This is a big game for Villa, its important we get three points in the league after seeing Liverpool and Tottenham both drop points in the league today.
Avillafan Prediction: Home win.
