Aston Villa

Paul Lambert confirmed as new Aston Villa manager

Anton Stanley — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 11:17:37 GMT

Aston Villa have confirmed Paul Lambert as their new manager to replace Alex McLeish.

The former Norwich City boss, 42, moves to the Midlands after three successful seasons at Carrow Road where he took the club from League One to a 12th place finish in the Premier League.

Transfer rumours and paper review – Saturday, June 2

Anton Stanley — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 10:18:20 GMT

These are the stories making the headlines in the papers and online this morning…

Nani is thinking about leaving Manchester United even though the Portuguese winger, 25, is being offered a pay rise from £90,000 to £130,000 a week over the next four years. (The Sun)

King and Saha head-up Premier League out of contract list

Alex Varney — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:05:35 GMT

Spurs stars Ledley King and Louis Saha are two of the top names who are out of contract at the end of the season and yet to agree new deals at their clubs.

Teams were required to inform the Premier League of players that they had either retained or had yet to agree new deals with by May 19 and several high profile stars, including Jose Bosingwa and Salomon Kalou could now be on the move.

Holt set to accompany Lambert in Aston Villa move

Nick Rostron-Pike — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 11:09:48 GMT

Norwich have been dealt another blow with the news that Grant Holt still wants to leave the club.

The Canaries are already reeling from the resignation of manager Paul Lambert, who looks set to take over at Aston Villa, and Holt could now be set to accompany him to Villa Park.

Eadie: Aston Villa a step down for Lambert

Alex Varney — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:38:40 GMT

Former Norwich star Darren Eadie admits his disappointment at Paul Lambert's decision to quit Carrow Road job, claiming it is a 'step down' for the Scot, and backs Karl Robinson to replace him.

Transfer rumours and paper review with Bruce Millington – Friday, June 1

Alex Varney — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:15:59 GMT

These are the stories making the headlines in the papers and online this morning…

Chelsea have agreed a fee of £38million for Porto striker Hulk and the deal is ready to be closed. (Guardian)

Lansley: There will be a lot of movement at Aston Villa this summer

Anton Stanley — Thu, 31 May 2012 19:53:29 GMT

The Midlands expert from The Times discusses the Villans' move for Paul Lambert and its possible consequences.

Poll: Who is the best manager?

Anton Stanley — Thu, 31 May 2012 14:57:11 GMT

As the managerial merry-go-round gets started, Adrian and Darren want to know which of these men is the better boss...

Norwich confirm Lambert 'has offered his resignation'

Alex Varney — Thu, 31 May 2012 13:48:07 GMT

Norwich have confirmed that Paul Lambert has offered his resignation to the club.

The Canaries board have not accepted his resignation but the Scot is understood to be holding talks over the vacant Aston Villa post and they will not stand in his way if, as expected, he is offered the chance to succeed Alex McLeish.

Given: Lambert will be 'fantastic' Aston Villa manager

Nick Rostron-Pike — Thu, 31 May 2012 13:37:08 GMT

Shay Given believes Paul Lambert will be a fantastic Aston Villa manager and has urged the board to appoint the Scotsman quickly.

Reports suggest the Villans are on the verge of naming Lambert as Alex McLeish’s replacement, after the Norwich boss walked resigned his post at Carrow Road.

Exclusive - Whelan: Aston Villa are not big enough for Martinez

Nick Rostron-Pike — Thu, 31 May 2012 13:04:22 GMT

Dave Whelan admits Roberto Martinez has spoken to Aston Villa about the vacant manager’s role – but claims they weren’t big enough to lure the Spaniard away from Wigan.

The Latics boss has been in demand this summer, with both Liverpool and the Villans chasing his services.

Proof English football will rule at Euro 2012

Lee Roden — Thu, 31 May 2012 09:46:05 GMT

English football is set to dominate this summer's European Championship, with England's top two divisions sending 78 players to Poland and Ukraine. German football comes second best with 49, but Spain and Italy don't even come close, only managing just over 30 each. Of the players making the trip from England, Chelsea has the most representatives with nine players.

Lambert set for vacant Villa post

Alex Varney — Thu, 31 May 2012 07:24:09 GMT

Paul Lambert looks set to become Aston Villa’s new manager amid reports he has quit Norwich.

The Scot took charge of the Canaries in August 2009 and guided them to back to back promotions before clinching an impressive 12th place finish in the Premier League last season.

Exclusive - Snodin: Rhodes' future will be sorted this week

Michael Wade — Sun, 27 May 2012 13:15:26 GMT

Huddersfield assistant manager Glynn Snodin has revealed Jordan Rhodes’ future will be resolved in the next few days.

The highly-rated 22-year-old striker has hit 40 goals this season attracting the attention of a host of Premier League sides including West Ham, Tottenham, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Fulham.

Real Betis become latest name linked to Wigan midfielder

Nick Rostron-Pike — Fri, 25 May 2012 11:43:16 GMT

Real Betis are hoping to fend off interest from Aston Villa and Newcastle and strike a deal to sign Wigan midfielder Mohamed Diame.

Diame, 24, is set to leave the DW Stadium during the summer as he is out of contract and will become a free agent.

Manchester United are believed to have pulled out of the running to sign him.

Exclusive - Grayson admits Huddersfield could cash in on Rhodes

Nick Rostron-Pike — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:30:48 GMT

Simon Grayson admits he’ll find it tough to keep hold of striker Jordan Rhodes after his scintillating form this season for Huddersfield.

The Terriers forward has scored 40 goals in 45 appearances this term, alerting the likes of Aston Villa, Norwich, Fulham and West Ham to his prowess.

Transfer rumours and paper review with Mick Dennis - Friday, May 25

Nick Rostron-Pike — Fri, 25 May 2012 06:51:24 GMT

Here are the morning's headlines from the newspapers and online...

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has reiterated his desire to stay at the club, playing down reports in the Italian press that he is to join AC Milan. (Manchester Evening News)

Manchester United are set to make an improved offer of £13m for midfielder Shinji Kagawa, 23, from Borussia Dortmund. (Daily Mail)

Thompson: Benitez wouldn't cope under FSG's structure at Liverpool

Michael Wade — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:58:57 GMT

Liverpool Echo sports editor John Thompson and Times reporter Peter Lansley joins Kick Off to bring the latest news on Aston Villa and Liverpool's search for a new manager.

Sunderland and Villa lose out to Benfica in winger chase

Alex Varney — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:23:17 GMT

Benfica have confirmed the signing of Ola John - beating Sunderland and Aston Villa to his signature.

The Premier League pair were keen on John but he has put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the Portuguese side.

John had came to the attention of Sunderland and Villa this season, with scouts tracking his progress at FC Twente.

Both clubs were expected to make their move this summer but following the sacking of Alex McLeish, Villa pulled out.

Moxley: There is no mad rush for Villa to get a new manager

Anton Stanley — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:32:22 GMT

The reporter for the Daily Mail discusses the Villans' search for their next boss after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ruled himself out of the running.

Heskey leaves Aston Villa

Michael Wade — Wed, 23 May 2012 09:51:31 GMT

Emile Heskey has been released by Aston Villa.

The striker, who scored just nine Premier League goals in three years at the club, has not done enough to warrant a new deal.

And despite not having a full-time manager, Villa have still acted and released Heskey along with Brad Guzan and Carlos Cuellar.

McGrath: Whoever becomes Villa boss will be up against it straight away

Alex Varney — Wed, 23 May 2012 08:29:27 GMT

Aston Villa legend Paul McGrath fears the club's lack of investment in recent seasons is scaring off managers, after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer pulled out of the running to replace Alex McLeish, and says whoever takes the job 'will be up against it straight away'.

Transfer rumours and paper review with John Cross - Wednesday, May 23

Alex Varney — Wed, 23 May 2012 07:16:54 GMT

Here are the morning's headlines from the newspapers and online...

Manchester United have opened talks with Everton to sign Leighton Baines, with the Red Devils prepared to splash out £12million for the England full-back. (Daily Mirror)

Solskjaer will not be the new Aston Villa manager - reports

Anton Stanley — Tue, 22 May 2012 20:55:10 GMT

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has ruled himself out of the running to become the new Aston Villa manager, according to the Birmingham Mail.

The 39-year-old Molde boss had been in pole position to take on the job after talks last week.

But it is believed that after meeting his current club’s representatives he has decided to stay in his homeland.

Premier League's BEST value season ticket - FULL TABLE revealed

Chris Mendes — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:09:33 GMT

The ING Direct Value League, compiled each season by the bank, looks at which Premier League clubs offer the best value season tickets based on criteria compiled by comparing season ticket prices with league points earned, together with a bonus for goals scored that directly affected fans’ enjoyment of the game.

Supported by Dr Steve Kelly from the University of Huddersfield, an expert in sports and society, it suggests (as you can see above) that QPR offer the Premier League's worst value ticket.