Aston Villa Blog

Rumour of the day: Jens Lehmann

Fri, 09 May 2008 06:24:41 +0100

It's a rumour from the Express and Star, but it's actually one I wouldn't mind, when you put it into context. The rumour is, Martin O'Neill is interested but that the real target is very much American Brad Guzan (http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/2211/70/), with Lehmann as the quality, experienced Premier League head.

My Aston Villa season review: Just praise and a confident feeling for next season

Fri, 09 May 2008 05:09:50 +0100

It's easy to get annoyed when we lose to Fulham. It's also very easy when you've won three on the bounce and scored fifteen goals, to get carried away. What's also very easy, is to forget about what is happening at Aston Villa Football Club, which is why it's nice to use the little search box on the site and look back every now and then.

If Martin O'Neill wants Peter Crouch he really should pay the £80k a week

Thu, 08 May 2008 06:57:06 +0100

You want to play with big boys you've got to play by their rules. If Peter Crouch wants £80,000 a week and Martin O'Neill sees him as an integral part of our assault on the top four, them I'm afraid he's got to pay it. Let's put it another way, if we can get top four football with players all earning £40,000 a week then that's what we'd do, but the simple truth is we won't be able to.

Match Prediction: Away day at West Ham

Thu, 08 May 2008 06:29:41 +0100

If there was ever a time we needed to go to London and get three points, this Sunday is it. Defeat could, if results go against us, see us finishing in eight place with no European football, of any description, for next season. We've come close this season against Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea but it's yet to happen under Martin O'Neill. Yet to happen since 2004 I think.

The Doc's Diagnosis: An Unsung Hero?

Thu, 08 May 2008 04:34:58 +0100

It's that time of year when we're all sweating on whether the big four will come in for our A-list players. Will Barry go to Anfield? Is O'Neill good enough and persuasive enough to keep Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonlahor at Villa Park? Is the Chairman prepared to back these excellent players' ambitions with the necessary cash to see Villa mount a serious challenge for trophies next season?

You just have to love Martin O'Neill

Wed, 07 May 2008 07:19:11 +0100

I've said for a long time, even been criticised for it, that you don't need European football to attract quality players. Sure it helps and it's part of the package, but it's as much about selling a vision, about getting the player to buy into the plans for the club than just been able to offer European football.

Rumour of the day: Stephen Carr from Newcastle

Wed, 07 May 2008 04:37:28 +0100

Right, with the transfer window opening up in a few days, I've decided to start a rumour of the day post where for one reason or another someone who is linked will get a mention. I'll probably list all the other rumours from the day too, but for today only, I'm starting with just the one.

Pling pling: United to win it, Fulham to survive and Blues going down

Wed, 07 May 2008 01:32:46 +0100

I'm really looking forward to this weekend. We've still to find out who's going to win the league, we're still in with a chance of finishing anywhere from 5th to 8th and two teams out of Fulham, Reading and Blues are going down. When God invented football was it weekends like this that he was thinking about? Having all the games on the same day at the same time; genius!

Berger says sorry, but the damage is done and he's dropped

Tue, 06 May 2008 08:31:44 +0100

Following his comments the other day (http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/2329/70/), Patrik Berger, who really probably doesn't care one way or the other, will not be included in the squad that travel to West Ham this weekend. Martin O'Neill has told the club web site (http://www.avfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~1306765,00.html) that he was disappointed with the comments Berger made and surprised.

The transfer window opens at midnight on Sunday and I'm getting quite excited

Tue, 06 May 2008 04:46:36 +0100

This season isn't yet over and we've really still got everything to play for and with the results on Sunday possibly having an impact on players coming in, I've got a feeling some have already been taken care of. I think this, mostly because Martin O'Neill has, quite professionally, got the squad down to his core players but there is a real immediate need to get more of his players in, ready for our assault on the top four next season.