Between them the 20 Premier League clubs have set aside £4 million to improve the experience of visiting supporters at games.

And it is believed Villa will use their £200,000 contribution towards helping fans watch Paul Lambert's team on the road.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore recently revealed measures were being put in place to arrest a 10 per cent decline in away attendances over the past five years.

"One of our unique selling points is the away attendance because it creates the tension, the passion, the show," explained Scudamore.

"The clubs are investing £4 million a season, £12 million over the next three seasons, in initiatives to make the away fan experience better and that's either helping their own fans travel away or doing something to encourage opponents' away fans to come to them."

Stoke are offering free travel to fans for all of their 19 away games this season and Chelsea will subsidise coach or train fares for 10 or more away games.

Villa are expected to announce details of their plan to help the travelling claret and blue contingent soon.

It would not be the first time Villa have given fans a financial helping hand on their travels.
Chairman Randy Lerner has laid on free coaches to League Cup matches at Chelsea and Sunderland in previous seasons.

CHARLES N'Zogbia could miss the start of the season after getting injured on holiday - as Brett Holman looks to leave Villa for a club in Dubai.

Villa are still waiting to determine the full extent of N'Zogbia's injury, but it is believed he may not be ready for the big Premier League kick off at Arsenal on August 17.

The 27-year-old winger suffer an unspecified injury during a summer break from the club.

It could to keep him out for the first month of the season and could sideline him for significantly longer depending on the severity of the problem.

N'Zogbia has struggled to consistently capture the form he displayed at previous club Wigan during a frustrating two year spell at Villa.

Since arriving from the DW Stadium for £9.5 million in July 2011 he has been in and out of the first team.

He scored two goals and provided four assists in all competitions his first campaign under former boss Alex McLeish in 2011-12 and last term he contributed three goals and six assists overall.

N'Zogbia still has three years left of the five-year deal he signed, but his latest setback is a blow to his hopes of becoming a first team regular under Paul Lambert.

The French international was given chances to impress Lambert last season, making 16 starts and 12 substitute appearances in league and cup, but was unable to force his way into the team in the closing stages of the season with Villa preferring the attacking trio of Christian Benteke, Gabby Agbonlahor and Andi Weimann.

Meanwhile, Holman disappointing stay at Villa looks to be coming to an end with Aussie midfielder poised for a transfer to Dubai.

Holman has two years left on his claret and blue deal after being signed by former boss McLeish on a Bosman deal more than a year ago.

But according to reports in the Middle East, the 29-year-old midfielder is in talks with Al-Nasr Sports Club who play in the UAE Pro-League.

Holman began last season as a regular starter in Lambert's team, but fell out of favour and was used sparingly since the turn of the year.

He initially impressed with his energy and workrate, but despite scoring at Norwich in the Capital One Cup and at QPR in the Premier League, his touch and technique tended to let him down.

The former AZ Alkmaar player has repeatedy admitted on international duty with the Socceroos that he might need to seek a move away in search of first team football.

ORDINARILY, Brad Guzan wouldn't burst out laughing when his scuffed goal-kick lands at the feet of an opposing striker who whacks it into net.

But this is Acorns, the mutual appreciation society where brave children bring smiles to the faces of Aston Villa players and vice versa.

Guzan is representing Villa on the FIFA computer game against a Manchester United team expertly controlled by Ahmed Hussain.

The goalkeeper playfully accuses the 17-year-old console whizzkid for telling him the wrong button to press when computer-generated Guzan's errant pass is seized upon by Ahmed's Wayne Rooney, resulting in goal three or four - they lose count - of the 5-0 defeat.

They both giggle.

The American resolves to go home and practice on the game so he can avenge Ahmed's defeat when he next returns.

This is a typical scene on the regular occasions Villa players visit Acorns, which also has centres in Selly Oak and Worcester, as part of the club's strong links with their principal charity partner.

Since the pioneering gesture back in 2008 when Villa chairman Randy Lerner donated, free of charge, shirt sponsorship worth millions of pounds to promote Acorns' work to a worldwide audience, the relationship between the club and their close friends has continued to grow.

Just last month, Villa's captain Ron Vlaar, current longest servant Gabby Agbonlahor and 2011-12 player of the season Stephen Ireland paid a visit to the Selly Oak hospice to interact with children.

The visits are therapeutic for the players and the kids alike.

Indeed, the force of personality of one of the children, 12-year-old Moin Younis, who has the life-limiting condition Epidermolysis Bullosa, is so endearing that Villa's players look forward to seeing him every bit as he enjoys mixing with his footballing heroes.

As the Villa reporter for the Birmingham Mail, I am lucky enough to be invited along to attend many of these Villa visits, often on the proviso of grabbing a quick word with the players and giving Acorns a much-needed plug in the paper.

It is to my shame that until Tuesday's trip to the Walsall hospice I haven't really opened my eyes wide enough to fully appreciate the work the charity's staff and team of volunteers do and the continued importance of raising awareness and cash for this most important of causes.

Usually, me and my press colleagues will be sipping coffee in the reception area, thinking of which questions to ask Guzan and Co about topical events at Aston Villa, while the amazing Acorns experience goes on around us.

But this week, Paula Mitchell, the communications manager at Acorns, asked us to accompany her on a guided tour of the hospice to learn more about the help the chairty offers life limited and life threatened children and their families at their respite centres.

The upbeat, positive mood of the place is evident immediately as we have take a peak through the door of the multi sensory room, an environment awash with colours and textures to stimulate or relax the youngsters depending on their conditions.

We see the array of bedrooms, each equipped with different styles of beds, again decided by the individual child's needs.

Acorns has 10 beds at each of its hospices, eight providing respite care, with the other two for emergency and end of life care.

We learn about the on-site apartments at each of the hospices, so that new families can stay near to their loved-ones during their early days with Acorns.

There is the hydrotherapy spa at Walsall and large hydrotherapy pools at Selly Oak and Worcester, to provide therapy with the on site physiotherapist as well as to allow mums and dads, brothers and sisters the simple pleasure of splashing around with their son/daughter/sibling which might not be possible or practical at municipal baths.

As we stroll around the corridors, we encounter several children and families completely at ease with their surroundings as the loving care from Acorns' family of experts makes it a home from home for those who benefit from its services.

It's not just the youngsters. There are support groups for siblings, parents and even
grandparents too, to meet and talk to like-minded people.

There is an complementary therapy room for families and staff to get treatments which help them relax them from their own stresses and strains and - judging by the smiles most of them are sporting on our tour - it seems to be working.

Acorns depends massively on donations.

Each of the three hospices costs £7,500 per day to run, contributing to the £8 million-plus annual cost to support 910 families, including those who are bereaved.

And then comes the moment. The moment when we are ushered into a quieter, more sombre, more respectful part of the site.

We are in the room where children can go after they die and where families go to grieve. It is only then that the impact of Acorns truly hits home.

The stark reality is that of the 640 children Acorns cares for, on average, every week one of those youngsters will pass away.

Although the room which concludes our tour is just one door away from the rest of a hospice happily going about its work, so removed is this area from the busy, smiley hubbub of the rest of the centre, it encapsulates the great work the staff here do.

That the Acorns team can create such a feel good atmosphere in an environment for such seriously ill children is a credit to this wonderful, wonderful place.

Aston Villa fans are proud to support their club - and they should be just as proud that their club supports a team which is the truly inspiring pride of the Midlands.

To find out how you can help visit http://www.acorns.org.uk/how-you-can-help and to make a donation visit http://www.acorns.org.uk/charity-donation

AS this great before and after picture of Chris Smalling's fate shows, Premier League defenders should think carefully before trying to take on the beast of Belgium.

(Photo courtesy of the 'We Want Milner To Rejoin Aston Villa' Facebook group).

In a story featuring quotes from Martin O'Neill, we printed the following statement by the former Aston Villa manager, which on closer scrutiny proves to be inaccurate.

"The people who hang around are the ones that can re-write history... I think we had 64 points, the highest that Aston Villa have ever got in the Premier League."

O'Neill claims his Villa team boasted the club's best ever Premier League points total in 2009-10.

To avoid incurring the wrath of a certain Mr R Atkinson, of Barnt Green, we are happy to set the record straight and confirm that Big Ron's runners-up of 1992-93, actually had Villa's highest ever Premier League tally of 74 points.

It was a 42-game season so gave Villa a ratio 1.76 points per game, compared to O'Neill's final 38-game season when Villa achieved 64 points at a rate of 1.68.

We hope that clears up the matter and that there will be no more petty history re-writing.

THERE was ecstacy and agony for Gabby Agbonlahor as he scored Villa's winner over Chicago Fire - before being carried off on a stretcher here at Toyota Park.

Agbonlahor's 29th minute bullet header meant that new manager Paul Lambert's claret and blue tenure has started with three successive friendly victories.

His joy turned to fear when he was left writhing in pain on the turf as he tried to spin past a challenge from Hunter Jumper midway through the second half.

Thankfully it transpired the injury is only a minor knee problem, but Agbonlahor will still be sidelined for two weeks, missing the final match of the tour.

And Villa will also be without his fellow forward Darren Bent for the next two weeks after a scan on Saturday afternoon revealed a minor thigh strain.

Lambert made 10 changes from the starting line-up which took to the field against Philadelphia Union in midweek with Stephen Ireland the only player keeping his place.

Shay Given was chosen in goal with former Union defender Eric Lichaj at left-back, Chris Herd at right-back and Richard Dunne and Nathan Baker in the centre.

Villa again played with a four man midfield with Ireland and Charles N'Zogbia playing either side of skipper for the night Fabian Delph and Gary Gardner.

Agbonlahor, who was partnered up front by Andi Weimann, opened the scoring with a powerful header from Herd's measured right-wing cross just before the half hour mark.

Paul Lambert's system in his first few matches relies on his full-backs getting forward whenever possible to add width to the attacks and it worked a treat for the goal.

By then Ireland and N'Zogbia had already fired just off target after producitve breaks down the left while later in the half Dunne headed over from a corner and Gardner forced a save from Chicago keeper Jay Nolly with a fizzing low drive.

As happened in Philly on Wednesday night, Villa's attacking impetus faded after the break as the manager changed most of the team, but they remained on top in terms of possession and territory.

Barry Bannan clipped an effort too close to the Fire keeper, while Matthew Lowton sliced a shot well wide during their only two chances of note in the second half.

Bannan also fired a free-kick over the crossbar after Samir Carruthers shot was handled on the edge of the area.

But it would have been an ever bigger miss had Agbonlahor's as serious as it first appeared, especially with the Premier League kick-off just a month away.

Villa: Given (Guzan 79), Herd (Lowton 46), Dunne (Collins 46), Baker (Clark 57), Lichaj (Warnock 57); Ireland, Gardner (El Ahmadi 67), Delph (Bannan 67), N'Zogbia; Weimann, Agbonlahor (Delfouneso 67). Sub not used: Marshall.

The Dutch defender met with Paul Lambert at Villa Park last weekend after being given permission by the Eredivisie club.

But Villa insist a deal was never at such an advanced stage as reports in Holland suggested and are considering their options.

Koeman is keen for a resolution after claiming the uncertainty is hindering his preparations for the new season.

"It is good when you invite a player and give him a positive feeling but it seems to me that then you need to try a direct transfer and complete it if you want the player," Koeman reportedly told NUsport.

"They have so much money but they do not pay for him.

"I need to gradually know where I stand. If it can't be guaranteed that Ron continues here then in the final friendly matches I will play without him in the centre of the defence."

Villa, and particularly Lambert, will not take kindly to Feyenoord's attempts to rush through the deal with the club keen to consider Vlaar and other defensive targets carefully before making their move.

In order to avoid adding to much to the wagebill, which is now at an acceptable level, the claret and blues will also be looking to move players out.

Delfouneso curled in neat 43rd minute strike to settle the friendly which was played in stifling conditions at Union's PPL Park stadium.

Villa had the best of the early chances and should have extended their lead before surving a late flurry of pressure from their American hosts.

The practice match was played in front of 17,195 passionate 'soccer' fans including an estimated turnout of 1,000 Villa supporters.

Villa largely controlled the match with new boss Paul Lambert taking the chance to have another good luck at his claret and blue squad.

And after coping with the 84 degrees fahrenheit temperatures, they will now fly to Chicago for the second leg of their American adventure.

It took until two minutes before the interval for Villa to break the deadlock despite having the better of the first half territory and chances.

Delfouneso got it when he latched onto an incisive pass from Stephen Warnock and steered a precise shot into the bottom right corner from the edge of the box.

'The Fonz' will have been relieved to have scored having spurned two earlier chances after hesitating when he should have pulled the trigger sooner.

Union's keeper Zac McMath on the other hand was much sharper with his decision making and frustrated Villa with a series of impressive saves.

McMath was called into action in the second minute when he thwarted Brett Holman from close range after Matt Lowton whipped a ball across the box.

He then denied Delfouneso following Barry Bannan's threaded pass before the striker wasted another chance as Amobi Okugo got an important block in.

At the other end, Brad Guzan was a virtual spectator with the keeper only exerting himself to belt out the US national anthem before the match.

Guzan got the nod to start the friendly ahead of Andy Marshall who was on the bench and Shay Given who was left out completely after only recently resuming training.

But despite a passionate PPL Park crowd roaring on the Major League Soccer strugglers with a constant repertoire of chants, it was Villa who continued to threaten most.

Bent hit a free-kick straight at MacMath after Okugo was booked for fouling the stand-in skipper just outside the area.

Ciaran Clark, who partnered James Collins in central defence, for the opening period then strode forward to flash a shot from distance just over the bar.

It was much the same in the second half with Philadelphia finding it difficult to push back Villa, who themselves eased off as the conditions took their toll.

Surprisingly, Lambert only made one change at the break replacing Stephen Ireland with Charles N'Zogbia, but there soon a succession of substitutes.

By the time the friendly had finished Samir Carruthers and Marshall were the only members of the 24-man travelling party not to get a run out.

Lambert took all 10 outfield players of during the course of the second half with just goalkeeper Guzan completing the entire 90 minutes.

It meant the second period became slightly disjointed with the best chance arriving when Holman waltzed through, only for the keeper to smother at his feet.

There was a scare for Villa as Philadelphia substitute Josue Martinez bursts through but the striker's angled shot rolled just past the far post.

And Martinez came close again when he worked space on the edge of the box and his shot was comfortably fielded by Guzan.

In a late flurry for the hosts, Greg Jordan also threatened with a rising drive which Guzan was relieved to see fly inches over.

Union felt they should have had a penalty in the closing stages when Keon Daniel's free kick appeared to hit Gary Gardner's arm in the box.

A late break at the other end created a shooting chance for N'Zogbia, but substitute keeper Chase Harrison got down quickly to save well.

Aston Villa: Guzan, Lowton (Lichaj 60), Collins (Dunne 66), Clark (Baker 66), Warnock (Stevens 60), Ireland (N'Zogbia 46), El Ahmadi (Herd 57), Bannan (Delph 57), Holman (Gardner 60), Bent (Agbonlahor 53), Delfouneso (Weimann 53). Subs not used: Marshall, Carruthers.

Alan Shearer was the latest to peddle the popular misconception that the Villa Park faithful's hostility towards Alex McLeish is mostly motivated by his Birmingham City connections.

Speaking on Match of the Day on Sunday evening, Shearer suggested McLeish got the same stick at Villa as Steve Bruce did at Sunderland because of his previous allegiances.

True, McLeish's St Andrew's associations hardly endeared him to the claret and blue side of the Second City when he first made the controversial 3.2 mile journey across the divide last June.

And there's no doubt that a section of Villa fans wouldn't have given the Bluenose so-and-so a chance even if he had won the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup treble on a wave of free-flowing football in the three years of his contract.

But the majority, who themselves were extremely concerned about the wisdom of recruiting a manager with two quickfire Premier League demotions on his CV, only truly turned against him because of the inept performances and ropey results.

Had say, Avram Grant, someone with a similar relegation record, but without the Blues baggage, overseen such a sorry season, instead of McLeish, would the mood on the Holte End be one of patience, tolerance and understanding instead?

Would it Eck!

ALEX McLeish resents comparisons between Blues' perilous Premier League plight last season and Villa's precarious position this season.

Nevertheless, their results records are almost identical (after 36 games last season, Blues had scored 36 goals and were three points off the bottom three, after 36 games this season, Villa have scored 36 goals and are three points off the bottom three) and their respective injury woes have been spookily similar.

But at least McLeish can console himself with the fact his Villa players aren't stupid enough to emulate their Second City rivals by getting into trouble on a night out, hours after their awards dinner and just days before a crucial relegation match against Tottenham...

Oh, Eck!

Having had to contend with Blues players staying out boozing to the early hours a year ago, McLeish will be less than impressed by Chris Herd, James Collins and Fabian Delph becoming embroiled in a brawl outside Gatecrasher nightclub in Birmingham's Broad Street at 2.45am on Tuesday.

Especially with Sunday's crunch survival clash against Spurs looming.

Not sure what deja vu is in Glaswegian, but McLeish must be alarmed at the familiar feeling he is experiencing, albeit on the opposite side of the city - with his attempts to stop relegation history repeating itself being undermined by the very people he is depending on.

Not nearly as alarmed as the disbelieving Villa Park faithful who are furious that their beloved football club seems to be lurching from one crisis to the next during this sorry, sorry season.

HARRY Redknapp's return to Villa Park this weekend reminds me of an amusing anecdote which I'm not particularly proud of.

During recent seasons the England reject has been about as popular with the claret and blue faithful as ... erm ... Alex McLeish.

Since his time at Portsmouth, Redknapp has become the target of verbal abuse from home fans whenever he has visited Villa.

But the hostility lurched out of control during the 0-0 draw against Pompey on October 18 2008 when linesman Phil Sharp was injured.

A moronic fan sitting behind the dugouts in the Trinity Road stand tried to throw a coin at Redknapp, missed and instead struck the assistant referee near the eye.

Fortunately, the idiot responsible, John Billington, was heavily fined and banned from football for five years by local magistrates.

And hopefully, such gross stupidity and dangerous behaviour will never stain the name of Aston Villa Football Club ever again.

But, during a dark incident for Villa and for football, a moment of confusion during Redknapp's post match press conference at least provided a little moment of light relief.

With journalists trying to confirm the name of the poor official who had been cut by the missile, 'Arry was asked: "Was it Phil Sharp?"

"Of course it would feel sharp - it was a 50p piece!" snapped Redknapp, mishearing the enquiry.

Cue, much immature and inappropriate sniggering from an unnamed reporter on the front row, thoroughly ashamed of himself.

Villa face the prospect of going into this evening's survival clash against Bolton with their available top Premier League scorers on just TWO goals each.

If five-goal Gabby Agbonlahor loses his fitness race, then Villa's next fit leading league marksmen are Charles N'Zogbia. Andi Weimann and Marc Albrighton who have each only found the net twice in the top flight this season.

In fact, if Agbonlahor misses out (and even if he plays, the Brummie striker himself has not scored in his last 18 league matches since November 5) then the claret and blues really will be struggling for scorers.

Without Agbonlahor, the 18-man squad available for tonight's showdown have just TWELVE league goals between them.

The other 23 goals from the club's league tally of 35 have been scored by the injured Darren Bent (9), doubtful Agbonlahor (5), stricken Stiliyan Petrov (4), departed Robbie Keane (3), crocked Richard Dunne (1) and hurt James Collins (1).

Ahead of tonight's must-win match, Alex McLeish, in delivering an upbeat bulletin on Petrov's plight, admitted Villa miss the captain's 'shooting prowess' - and he is right.

And if the claret and blues are to make the all-important breakthrough against Bolton this evening they should follow their leader and shoot on sight.

There have been occasions where Petrov has smashed the ball wildly into the stands this season but there have also been times, like in the December win at the Reebok Stadium, where he has been rewarded for taking a pop at goal.

It was evident in Saturday's scoreless stalemate with Sunderland that the confidence-shy claret and blues are cautiously taking an extra touch to make especially sure or teeing up a team-mate, which is giving opponents opportunity to set themselves defensively.

Weimann's late chance from Heskey's pass was a case in point with the Austrian preferring to set up Bannan to blaze over rather than having a shot himself.

But in a match when scoring goals are more crucial for Villa than at any stage this season tonight they have got to be bold enough to try their luck (and the anxious Villa Park crowd have got to forgive them a few mishits before they find their range).

If you don't buy a ticket, you can't win the raffle.

Even if 'a Bolton backside' is added to Villa's uninspiring roll-call of scorers, the most important thing is sticking the ball in the opposition net.

And, despite the pressure engulfing the players, the best way of doing that is, as soon as there is even the slightest glimpse of goal, by taking responsibility and taking aim between those white posts, rather than passing the football and passing the buck.

SOS. Shoot on Sight.


Villa's Premier League goalscorers 2011-12
Bent 9
Agbonlahor 5
Petrov 4
Keane 3
Albrighton 2
N'Zogbia 2
Weimann 2
Bannan 1
Dunne 1
Collins 1
Herd 1
Heskey 1
Ireland 1
Lichaj 1
Warnock 1

WITH it being the 19th today, a special event is being held in honour of Stiliyan Petrov this evening back in his native Bulgaria.

Fans gathered at 19.19 at the national stadium in Sofia to show their support for the Villa captain as he bravely battles acute leukemia.

Here, the Birmingham Mail's man at Villa Mat Kendrick pays his own tribute to Petrov with 19 reasons why he makes us smile.

Get well soon, Stan.

1) The pride of Pride Park - That goal in that 6-0 victory at Derby on April 12 2008

2) Flipping marvelous - Not only does Stan relish his responsibilities, he also used to be responsible for relish. It's an old story, but one that's worth re-telling that while he was struggling to settle at Celtic he started working on a friend's burger van in Glasgow to help him learn the language.

Stan later recalled: "He had a burger van and encouraged me to work behind the bar because it meant I had to communicate with people ordering food. Some of the customers used to stare, thinking, 'That looks like Stiliyan Petrov, but it can't be'. But soon I started to understand things better. It meant I could get involved in the dressing-room banter. That's important because a team is like a family. You can't be a part of it if you're on the outside when people are talking."

3) Top of the table - While many of today's footballers will complete their interview obligations with the press as quickly as possible before making a hasty retreat, Stan even has time for us horrible hacks.

On occasion he has even been known to challenge journalists to a game of ping pong on the table which used to be located in the players' room.

Unfortunately, I must report that he kept hitting the net more spectacularly then he did at Derby!

4) Adopted Brummie - The first time I interviewed Stan, he proudly told me about how his young son Stiliyan junior was settling into his surroundings in Sutton Coldfield. "He's started to pick up a Brummie accent a little bit!"

5) Native tongue - Stan senior still retains that strong Eastern European twang, however. When he once mentioned 'slip' and 'RADA', I thought it was a reference to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and Ashley Young's theatrical tendency to fall over! In actual fact he meant 'Villa hoped to slip under the radar into the top four...

6) Prints charming - This is a photograph which looms large in the Villa Park pressroom. It was taken ahead of the Carling Cup final and not only captures his aggression and playfulness, but is also a reminder that Stan was the first captain to lead Villa out at Wembley for nearly a decade in 2010.

7) National hero - Stan's health problems have touched the claret and blue family, but this link shows just the affect his illness has had on his own adoring public back home in Bulgaria too. Many thanks to My Old Man Said website for providing this link

8) Just the ticket - I won't mention the fans involved, but Stan has become a close friend of two Villa supporters who have been moved by the skipper's generosity. Having got chatting to the midfielder a few years ago, they are amazed that he not only remembers them but makes a point of looking after them with 'comps' for his international matches in Bulgaria and they have followed him across Europe. One of the fans, a teenage Villa fanatic, was a picture of delight when Stan came over and chatted to him at the team hotel before the friendly with Portugal last summer.

9) Gent - Stan rarely speaks to journalists in his homeland following a long-running dispute. But it was a measure of the man how he treated myself and another local reporter after Bulgaria's match with England at Wembley last year. Walking through the Wembley press mixed zone after the match he spotted us, walked over and explained that it would be unfair to be interviewed by us if he was not talking to the Bulgarian journalists. But he arranged to chat to us a couple of days later back at Bodymoor Heath.

10) Never beaten - Villa have never lost in a game when Stan has scored, winning on seven and drawing on five of the 12 occasions when he has found the net. His eight goals for Bulgaria too have come in matches when his national team have avoided defeat.

11) Chelsea dagger - His most recent goal was a crucial moment in Villa's best result of the season, the New Year's Eve triumph at Stamford Bridge and added to his efforts against Everton, Sunderland and Bolton clickhere

12) Leading by example - Not only will Stan almost always make himself available for interview after matches - win, lose or draw - but he can be relied upon to be as candid as possible. I recall at the start of the season when Villa's press officer was squirming as we asked Petrov to discuss some critical comments made about him by the club's European Cup winning captain Dennis Mortimer. But Stan tackled the subject head on and insisted he used criticism as a motivating force to prove people wrong.

13) True Villan - It was heartening to hear that just a day before he learned about his condition, Stan was meeting with Neil Rioch from the Aston Villa Former Players' Association to discuss the possibility of current members of the Villa squad donating a percentage of their wages to help the club's old stars.

14) Model professional - Stan was strutting his stuff down the catwalk the summer before last when he was chosen to model the new FX-Pro away kit. But true to form the smiling skipper had time for a mini moan when he left the stage outside the International Convention Centre, remarking on the black strip. "I look like I am the referee - hopefully this means we will get more decisions this season!"

15) Stan-ta Claus - Bit random this one, but I couldn't help smiling as Stan talks about Crimbo film Arthur Christmas and the importance of kids behaving themselves. And reveals that the Villa players took a trip to the cinema to watch.......Bridesmaids!

16) Generous general - Villa programme editor Rob Bishop revealed in Monday's matchday magazine that Stan promptly donated £200 to boost the coffers of Villa's Acorns appeal when 'Bish' and members of the club's media department completed 1874 laps of the Villa Park pitch to support their charity partner.

17) Pin up poster boy - Stan commands total love and respect from all of his team-mates, so much so that during a moving tribute this week one Villa player revealed he had posters of Petrov on his bedroom wall when he was growing up - mentioning no names, Baz.

18) Captain courageous - And on the subject of Bannan - what a positive update from the Scottish midfielder about the skipper's recent visit to the Bodymoor Heath training ground. "It was brilliant to see him. He was laughing, bantering and telling jokes - just in really good spirits. That's Stan for you."

19) Stan the family man - This photo sums up Stan's love for wife Paulina, sons Stiliyan junior and Christian and the claret and blue family.

But rather than the usual Reds-tinted tedium from Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson, it might have been better inviting Kevin MacDonald onto the Match of the Day sofa for a change.

That way instead of endless waffle about Liverpool's demise there might have been time for more than host Gary Lineker's token request for a 'quick word on Villa'.

And instead of a full SEVEN seconds of thorough Lawrenson analysis on the claret and blues, the sterling work of the Bodymoor Heath academy might have got some deserved national exposure.

I CAN still picture it now......a cheeky grin wider than the River Danube.

Andi Weimann is sitting behind a desk in the bowels of the Gerhard Hanappi Stadium, the home of Rapid Vienna, at around 6.30pm on August 18, 2010.

As if the pride at returning to his hometown, boyhood club in the claret and blue of Aston Villa isn't reason enough to smile then the comical scene unfolding in front of him certainly is.

Weimann, a former Rapid youth star, has been chosen for the press duties ahead of a young Villa line-up's Europa League qualifier against Vienna.

But instead of being the star of the show, the then 19-year-old is amusingly upstaged by someone who is probably best described as the Austrian Frank Spencer.

Getting in the eyeline of us inquisitors as we try to put our questions, scraping microphones loudly on the desk while the Villa duo try to give their responses, and then, seemingly for an enchore, tripping over a cable and banging into a row of chairs as he attempts to tip toe back to his seat. Crash, bang, wallop!

Sky Sports' roving reporter Pete Colley, never one to miss the opportunity to make a gag, can't resist when the annoying source of the disturbance finally sits, and more importantly, quietens down.

"So Andreas, this stadium is famous for its intense atmosphere, can we expect it to be noisier than that guy there!" wisecracks Colley, pointing to Austrian Frank as Weimann and the rest of the room collapse into fits of laughter.

Weimann recovers his composure to hold court in near perfect English about his hopes and aspirations not just for the match but for his fledgling Villa career - and it seems then as if that could be the start of things to come for the youngster.

Sadly, it didn't quite go according to plan.

Weimann did get on the field in the following evening's 1-1 draw as a late substitute, but he was seriously hurt moments later in a crunching challenge.

To add insult to injury, his own people, the fans of the club he supports and used to represent, spat at him and threw beer at him, as he lay in agony on a stretcher.

Unsurprisingly, it was an altogether different expression he wore as he was lifted into an ambulance and I recall wondering that evening when we would see him smile again.

There's been glimpses of it during his recent hat-trick heroics for the reserves and during the highlights of the goals he scored on loan in the Championship for Watford.

But it wasn't until last Saturday, just before 5pm, that the Danube-wide grin was revealed again when young Weimann grabbed his first senior goal for Villa in front of the Holte End, and such a crucial and dramatic one at that.

You got more than 30,000 Villa fans smiling again too, Andi.

The only thing being hurled at you by your people was adulation and not even the Austrian Frank Spencer could have been heard over the delirious din you created!

That's the way to become a Rapid hero.