Aston Villa after Charlton teenager and Michael Owen while Pompey go for second best

am i the first poster??????

yeah yes i am

congratulations.

LOL

I'm kinda hoping we don't bring in any players that aren't going to go straight in and strengthen our starting 11. I'm pretty sure we have the team to finish top 4 this season, and I have a bet on us coming 1st and 2nd too (put them before PL started). So I'd much prefer we wait with the shopping till summer and we bring in real quality straight away instead of buying fillers and then have to sell them again in the summer.

I think I would suggest that Newcastle would want to keep Owen now as his goals could potentially keep them in the top flight, therefore saving them millions, so I don't think it would make sense for them to cash in. I hope we do genuinely try to sign him as there's no better finisher in the game when fit. Fair enough, he's lost his pace, but he's your fox-in-the-box type now, a la Lineker.
When does the window close? Is it Monday? (I heard something about it being extended??).
What happened to Carew returning to the squad last night I wonder? Seems very mysterious to me...

Newcastle would take that money for Owen easily!

MON has already shown interest and didnt rule out a deal him so why wait until the summer to get him free?!?!?

At that stage we will have a lot of competition for his signature.... MON should do some quiet business like he did for Heskey so before anyone knows it, Owen will be a Villa player!

We would then have the option of Heskey and Owen upfront with Gabby on the wing!

UTV!!!

Also, SWB, are you crazy? There is no way the current squad could keep this up for the remainder of the season. The stronger the team/squad now, the better IMO.

YWC

owen would be a fantastic addition. Are strikeforce ahs done brilliantly so far but i would still say we dotn have an out and out goal scorer if you know what i mean? Someone who you just knwo could score at any time. Look at it this way, when we play Newcastle and you see that owen is playing you always have that fear that he will score. We always look dangerous on the break now but we still dont have that predetor who we know will finish the chances.

*our*

not sure what i was thinkig there.

Reply to martino:

yeah yes i am

HA HA

Come Owen you little goal machine.....you know you want to!

Villa for top 2!!

YES I"M 8th! Bring on Owen

Okay 12

Good read...

LINK

Not for me, sorry... he'll be looking at £120,000 a week once out of contract - AT LEAST.

I'm not sure he'll bring enough to the party to justify the potential misharmony and he'll be leading the boys down the casino straight off!

great victory, not the way it was won but just great to win.
but my question is, when will bouma be back and will he then take the place away for cuellar?

Charlton fan here. If you have to compare Josh Wright to an England player, he's most similar to Michael Carrick. Likes to sit deep and spray passes around.

I hope we keep him as he should get more chances next season.

Villany - I don't think so - Young, Cuellar, Davis, Bouma if Laursen is injured.
Cuellar, Davis, Laursen, Bouma if Laursen is fit.

I can't see us selling any players before Monday, Harewood whilst not getting the chance to play is still there just in case. If JC were to go, im pretty sure it wouldnt be until summer when he is fit and we have a better idea of who else we may be able to get into the club (pending on final league position).
Don't know anything about the young lad from Charlton, find the whole Jan window tiresome, be better if it was only for a week in Jan and then us fans don't have to go through the whole saga (although I secretly enjoy it!).

Reply to Jon:

Villany - I don't think so - Young, Cuellar, Davis, Bouma if Laursen is injured.
Cuellar, Davis, Laursen, Bouma if Laursen is fit.

Doubt he would choose Cuellar over Young at LB....unless you mean Ashley that is?!?

Reply to Jon:

Villany - I don't think so - Young, Cuellar, Davis, Bouma if Laursen is injured.
Cuellar, Davis, Laursen, Bouma if Laursen is fit.

That would be harsh, Luke Y has been very good considering its his first season with us and at lb. Going to be a while before Bouma starts a game though so we will see.

I'd imagine Owen and O'Neill have had contact and Owen has said he'd like to see the season out and then choose what to do on a free and if Villa are in a CL spot, he'll probably come. I still think if Rafa goes to him cap in hand, he'll go there and team up well with Torres. This will probably be his last big move and he's going to want to play in the CL. Having said that I would love to see him at VP, just not being paid way over what everyone else is - don't want to spoil the morale and spirit we've got which is key to our success.

If Josh Wright is comparable to Carrick we should steer well clear, because Carrick is a shower. As for Owen, he's overrated, overpaid and over the hill. His fitness record is dire, though ironically this seems to have benfited his reputation, as people haven't realised just how poor he is these days. His game was built on lightning pace and decent (though hardly stellar) finishing. Even before his injury problems, quality defenders had learned how to deal with him. Now his pace his gone, and though people will say that his know-how makes up for his lack of pace, this is an act of faith rather than an objective judgement. He was always a limited player, and now he's even more limited.

Maybe, I'm not dissing Luke Young - although I think he'd be happier on the bench than Cuellar - and Cuellar was a lot more expensive!

Is it just me or does anyone else NOT WANT OWEN???!??

His best days are long gone, fart near the man and he is out for 4 months and also, it's not worth blowing the wage ceiling and causing unrest in the squad.

Just my humble opinion of course, but if we're signing another striker, let's make it some young blood e.g. Sturridge or Doyle, someone who can learn from Heskey and JC.

UTV

leawaylittleman---It isn't just you. I don't want Owen either, for the same reasons you cite.

I reckon that if we sign any more players this window, they'll be players who can improve the squad this season by making some sort of impact. Guys like Wright, Johnson, and Sturridge don't fall into that category, even if I would happily take Johnson and Sturridge (don't know anything about Wright). N'Zogbia will probably be our only other signing, except for this striker that we're reportedly looking at for a loan deal.

If Owen plays, he scores goals - you could get round the wage structure by offering him a big signing on fee and cutting the weekly bill, as the articlae posted by Chris suggests.

But honestly, if you were Michael Owen, would you be looking for money or ambition in your next move? He's already a millionnaire - he might actually not care that much about his wage.

He's class - always has been and I think he will be until he hangs up his boots. He doesn't need pace - he scores goals anyway.

Reply to Jon:

If Owen plays, he scores goals - you could get round the wage structure by offering him a big signing on fee and cutting the weekly bill, as the articlae posted by Chris suggests.

But honestly, if you were Michael Owen, would you be looking for money or ambition in your next move? ...

It's a romantic notion, that Owen isn't bothered about the money. I firmly belive that he is after one last, fat cat contract. He'll be on a Bosman in the summer, holding all the cards and looking to make a killing.

I would hope that he still has the hunger, but I just don't think he's worth £150k a week.

Would love to see owen in a villa strip would be a great sight, he is a top player simple as, not the ebst but hes up there would be great to see him at vp.
The young charleton lad sound great, my mate from work surports them and says hes brill. would make another great signing. MON would mould him to perection.

why are you always hinting that carew is leaving? he said that he wants to end his career here and he has stated that he LOVES THE CLUB.

an injury dont mean that he is leaving damian.

If Carew is off, we'd be back to square one again. Small squad, little options etc.

Also, got to say this is the only place I've read that Carew may consider a new club, to be honest.

As for Villa's style of play, I'll be Taglor for once: it may work against Portsmouth and plenty more Prem teams but if we're gonna progress we'd better start playing the ball on the ground too. In that respect, a real playmaker in midfield wouldn't go amiss.

I trust MON already knows that, mainly because right now he's God to me and cannot do no wrong. YES WE CAN!

p.s. am I the 31st poster???

Reply to leawaylittleman:

It's a romantic notion, that Owen isn't bothered about the money. I firmly belive that he is after one last, fat cat contract. He'll be on a Bosman in the summer, holding all the cards and looking to make a killing.

I would hope that he still has the hunger, but I just don't think...

I dont think Owen can demand the same wages he has from Newcastle, he is older now and i think heis priority is to get in the england team for his last world cup. This is somethign he knows he can achieve at villa. Sure he will want a decent wage but i dont think he will be demanding the figure that has been discussed on here.

has anyone seen the Sun headline today....HES WE CAN

Reply to wheelo2020:

has anyone seen the Sun headline today....HES WE CAN

HES WE CAN ????????

Aston Villa Football Club are set to make an offer for Paul Scharner.

After losing Wilson Palacios and Emile Heskey since the start of the transfer window, Steve Bruce has already stated he will not be selling any more of his Wigan Athletic stars this month.

Of course, it was Martin O’Neill and Villa who took Heskey off them for £3.5million, and reports suggest they are willing to pay a similar price for 28-year-old Scharner.

"Aston Villa are an ambitious club, and joining them would be an upward step for my career,” admitted the Austrian international. “If an offer comes in for me I will consider it."

Does anyone else remember the last time we brought an exciting young prospect from Charlton ?
Ladies and gentelmen I give you J Lloyd Samuel !!!!!

Reply to wheelo2020:

I dont think Owen can demand the same wages he has from Newcastle, he is older now and i think heis priority is to get in the england team for his last world cup. This is somethign he knows he can achieve at villa. Sure he will want a decent wage but i dont think he will be demanding the figure that...

Owen wants £110,000 a week if he moves to another club, i think MON would prob get him to £100,000 but no lower he stillt hinks hes worth it, but is he?

Reply to leawaylittleman:

HES WE CAN ????????

HES WE CAN INDEED!

Reply to _saz_:

why are you always hinting that carew is leaving? he said that he wants to end his career here and he has stated that he LOVES THE CLUB.

an injury dont mean that he is leaving damian.

This is the only web page i have seen anything about him leaving tbh, everywhere else hasnt even mentioned him other than saying hes out injured, i really doubt he will elave becuase hes a 1st team player, where as i can see harewood leaving for 2mill to pomey or mid bro.

I think the young charlton lad would be a good sigining but we need a play maker for about 10mill first.

Reply to leawaylittleman:

HES WE CAN ????????

Yep, they have made a cheeky twist on our slogan in ref to Heskey.

I really think there is a good chance Owen will come to us in the summer.. There is no way he will be asking for a 100k, he and his agent both know how lucky they were when he went to Newcastle. The best he can hope for is 70k a week and a nice singing on fee, which fits in with our wages structure...

The only other team that would be interested is Spurs, and there is no chance of him going there..!! What Owen really needs now is a strong manager who will get him back to his best (mentaly and physicaly).. As for getting back in the England team he will be playing with most of them at Villa Park.!

DANIAN...You are going to love this article....Get to talk to Bill Howell live on Saturday...This should be something to see..! Get yourself on Damian. I can't wait for the battle to commence. Shame I'm away on one of my walking jollies with no internet this weekend..

LINK

Who's this DANIAN guy...? Calling the writer of this blog instead....Hello DAMIAN..!

I think breaking the bank for Owen now would in my opinion cement a 4th Place or even challange for 3rd and 2nd. Can you imagine him in the same position as Gabby with the chances he had on the one on ones against Doncaster and Pompey.....Owen would have buried both..That should be the reason to get Owen..Could you imagine a strike force of Heskey,Carew,Owen and Gabby, we'de have it all...pace,power,skill and finishing

could it be that taglor is bill howell????????

yes he could
and we we can

Reply to vogra:

I think breaking the bank for Owen now would in my opinion cement a 4th Place or even challange for 3rd and 2nd. Can you imagine him in the same position as Gabby with the chances he had on the one on ones against Doncaster and Pompey.....Owen would have buried both..That should be the reason to get...

Spot on, but i really think Newcastle will keep him until the summer... There is a good chance his goals will keep them up..!

__AA__

Love that link .. maybe they'll come up with something original one day too

For the record - we'll be doing one also, but I think that's what we do here isn't it ..

Maybe we can do one at www.villabanter.com just to annoy them?

I say give the current squad 'a shot at the title', they deserve it. It is a happy and unified camp, which counts for a few points on its own. Drafting in too many new players in to the squad may have a detrimental effect on the rest of the team at this stage of the season. 'If it aint broke, don't fix it!'

HESKEY was a necessity, and would be intrigued to see him and JC starting up front against some of the more physical teams. The only other player I would consider now, would be UPSON who has the same level of experience.

Some of our players will soon be back, and this can be like having new signings. The dream is still very much alive. Another 3 points against a depleted WIGAN at the week-end will put more pressure on the big boys. WE are the hungry underdogs, with tools like LAWRO and Bill HOWELL expecting us to slip up. Can we do it??????

Reply to vogra:

I think breaking the bank for Owen now would in my opinion cement a 4th Place or even challange for 3rd and 2nd. Can you imagine him in the same position as Gabby with the chances he had on the one on ones against Doncaster and Pompey.....Owen would have buried both..That should be the reason to get...

why do we need owen when we have heskey and gabby maybe carew when hes back and like i keep saying we just settle for premier league players and evryone seems to be alright but next season if we finish fourth and want to stay there we are going to have to pull our finger out of our arses and spend that little bit more cash to get a better player

Reply Because OWEN is a better striker than GABBY. I didn't mention the possibility of OWEN coming in as I thought he was waiting till the summer to make a decision. This would be a perfect time for OWEN, as he is fit, will increase his claim for an England place and guaranteed European football next year with the greatest team and manager on the planet.

we dont need another striker what we need is a playmaker for arounf 6/7mill and a left back.
maybe someone to replace sidwell to. because in my mind hes dropped form alot.
Dame i take your offer to start a new villabanter lol

Reply to AVFCBlog:

__AA__

Love that link .. maybe they'll come up with something original one day too

For the record - we'll be doing one also, but I think that's what we do here isn't it ..

From the previous article.

“...a club record sixth victory away in the league. Is that true, that it's a record?”

The record is a “consecutive” sixth away victory in the same season, I think.

Reply to leawaylittleman:

Is it just me or does anyone else NOT WANT OWEN???!??

His best days are long gone, fart near the man and he is out for 4 months and also, it's not worth blowing the wage ceiling and causing unrest in the squad.

Just my humble opinion of course, but if we're signing...

Not just you mate....i dont think Owen should be looked at. Gabby is better than him now in my opinion (forgetting last nights poor finish). I think we are just about set up front perhaps letting the Hare loose and bringing in Sturridge would be beneficial. We still need some spice in the midfield either out wide or a playmaker in the middle. Im starting to like what Milner has been doing, so one more option in the middle would be a luxury, with the FA and EUFA still to play for. I think NZogbia is the answer as he can slot in at LB and play out wide also. He would be kind of "two birds with one stone" and would give us a couple of more options to further confuse opposing defenders. I think we dont have that versatility in the middle, all are workman like there and its quite predictable at times....

Keep em coming boys were not far now!!
YWC-UTV

i think villa should cash in on arshavin hes the type of player that can make us top four every season ive heard that zenit are now lowering the asking price to 15m
worth a punt

Reply to jacko:

i think villa should cash in on arshavin hes the type of player that can make us top four every season ive heard that zenit are now lowering the asking price to 15m
worth a punt

we would have to out bid wenger for him and i dont think hes worth it tbh, we should defo get n'zogbia because we despritly need a lb /winger
Hare for sturridge would be a awsome swop.

any pedction on the wigan match ? maybe a great 4-0 ?

LINK

We have arsenal running scared!!

READ THIS. Its nice to see they finally see us as a treat. Lets hope chelski lose and ars do to and we move 3rd! maybe liverpool could get a draw or lose and we move 2nd doubt man u lose but if this was a perfect world.

Mann u lose
Chelski lose
Ars draw or lose

VILLA 1st!!!

More likely

Man u win
Chelski Lose
Ars Draw

Villa 2nd!


Anyways read that link.!

Reply to Mlockey89:

we would have to out bid wenger for him and i dont think hes worth it tbh, we should defo get n'zogbia because we despritly need a lb /winger
Hare for sturridge would be a awsome swop.

any pedction on the wigan match ? maybe a great 4-0 ?

Outbid Wenger..???? They have wont go higher than 12mill with add ons..!

Has anybody else been watching SSN in the last few minutes...N'Zogbia has been left out of the Newcastle squad for unknown reasons against Man City tonight...could it be they don't want him getting injured before he completes a transfer???

Villa wont sign Owen b4 the summer because of his huge wage demands, whereas on a free they can give him a big signing fee and still keep the same wage structure

Reply to Hadders7:

Has anybody else been watching SSN in the last few minutes...N'Zogbia has been left out of the Newcastle squad for unknown reasons against Man City tonight...could it be they don't want him getting injured before he completes a transfer???

you never no. keep posted or try www.newsnow.com that will find anynews on villa in the world
I do hope that he is coming to us.

Reply to Sloane:

Outbid Wenger..???? They have wont go higher than 12mill with add ons..!

True but they can pay his wages thats the thing. but i dont think he would go there tbh. he would get a game.
where as villa would prob pay him 50/50 with gabbs

60. delbi1 Wrote: | 18.30GMT | Jan 28, 2009
Villa wont sign Owen b4 the summer because of his huge wage demands, whereas on a free they can give him a big signing fee and still keep the same wage structure

Wasn't this the same scenario with HESKEY? OWEN doesn't really have to worry about a signing on fee, he's already got his fingers in many profitable pies. This maybe his best opportunity to win the league; this year!!

Reply to Mlockey89:

you never no. keep posted or try www.newsnow.com that will find anynews on villa in the world
I do hope that he is coming to us.

I hope he's coming too! Thanks for the news info, I'll take a look.

Yeah I'm motherfucking 64 DOG!

Owen only has been interested in one thing and that's how much he's getting paid. He's a mercenary, he only went Newcastle because they would pay him the most and he will only go to Villa if he we shell out a much higher wage for him than we do our current stars. And even if Villa get him and he does well, the moment someone comes in with a bigger offer, he will want out. We don't need that at this club and I would say the same about N'Zogbia even though I rate him.

Nzogbia has been left out of the newcastle squad for their game tonight! I think this means he could be on his way to villa! I personally think he is a player we need and could be the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle until the summer when we get owen on a free! Nzogbia could cover the left wing and left back!

I dont think we will let Harewood go until the summer, we have the smallest squad in the prem and it would make no sense at all to let him go, even if he isnt the best (put politely)! I cant see Carew going at all either! How can anyone even say that! If anything, when he is back and fit, he will keep Heskey on the bench! He's a better finisher and I just cant see him going at all, he has a future with us this season and beyond, definately! As for Owen, if we get CL next season he will come, and I will be happy with that. With that being said, I think if we can leave the majority of our spending until the summer, we will be able to attract top players. Or profile has risen immensely and if we can stay in the top 4, which we all believe can happen, we can look forward to better names than the ones that are getting chucked about at the moment thats for sure!! UTV

Reply to AVFCBlog:

congratulations.

Damian

im pretty sure ive been the first poster on at least 2 blogs this week

surely that has to be some sort of record?

or maybe it tells you how much time i actually spen online

who knows, but do i get a prize????

Reply to taglor:

Yeah I'm motherfucking 64 DOG!

65 lol

Reply to Paul_Villa82:

I dont think we will let Harewood go until the summer, we have the smallest squad in the prem and it would make no sense at all to let him go, even if he isnt the best (put politely)! I cant see Carew going at all either! How can anyone even say that! If anything, when he is back and fit, he will...

Harewood cant go, he is our backup, i would say thata about zat too but hes really is a great player, he has sat on the bench HAPPYly (not many would) and then when we let him on WOOOOO! he blows, we dont need owen till summer Nzogbia would be a great siging and i think he's all we need at the mo.
Other than that any young up coming english player could easy step in as a back up.

does anyone REALLY know what the deal is with jc i think he is someone we need in our squad if we want to stop in the top 4 this season and seasons to come ,but if he has fallen out with MON then we have to trust his judgement if he decides to get rid of him.

Don't know what to think tay.
One or two on here think that there may be something a little mysterious going on.
Hope he comes back soon...what a strikeforce we'll have then.
Can we have Robbie Keane as well please MON ?
Hope results go our way tonight.
UP THE VILLA

Liverpool 1-0 up.
Micheal Owen off injured...get away !

For those after Arshavin, ssn report that Zenit will accept £15m if it's a one-of payment and there is only one team they're talking to.
Arshavin to Arsenal then.

Also just heard that Shay Given is off to Man City, Kinnear saying that the player wants to go.

Blackburn are making a new signing but not sure who it is. If he's forward them maybe Santa is off to Man City as well and maybe Sturridge to us ?
Mind you, sure I just heard they've let Derbyshire out on loan (?)..why ? he's decent.

Chelsea 1-0 up...oh balls ! Lets just hope Everton Arsenal ends 0-0.

dont think there is anything mysterious going on with carew ..

why was we told that he was back in training last week if he was being kept out for other reasons ??

he had a back injury and will be back soon, mark my words.

Hope you're right mark.
What a forward line we'll have.

Torres substituted for ...not Robbie Keane.
He's still on the bench. Maybe he might be on his way. To Villa I hope !

Tim Cahill..Everton 1-0 !

Why doesn't Carew say how happy he is to fight for his place??? All the other forwards are speaking to media,but not a dicky bird from from Carew. Or is he gagged?????

Second Pool sub on...and it's not Robbie Keane.
Sky presenters (Merse mainly) are making something of it now.

wigan penalty !!!

mido 1-1 ! yes

come on everton 1-0 up and wigan 1-1 both doing good

Keane finally on for Gerrard !
Last chance saloon (3 subs) for the overweight food distribution operative !
Fat prat !
Come on.

please can the games finish now!!!!! cmon everton!!

Wigan new player just smashed a lovely free kick against the bar.
Liverpool free kick came to nowt and hopefully near the end!

well done wigan ITS OVER

Full time 1-1. YYYYYEEEESSSSS !

cmon toffees hold on could be a massive night for us

Reply to _AV33:

Keane finally on for Gerrard !
Last chance saloon (3 subs) for the overweight food distribution operative !
Fat prat !
Come on.

Like that AV!!!! can you get away with fat prat??

Nice one marmite...i hope so ! lol
seconds to go at Everton now

Bollocks 1-1

gutted van persie 1-1

Reply to marmite61:

Like that AV!!!! can you get away with fat prat??

You could offend someone that's more familiar with Burger King than you!!!

still 5 points clear and they have in form hammers saturday at emirates and then away to spurs, we may be able to build up a bit of a gap !!!!

I love Burger King more than life itself!

It's finished 1-1. I've got to have a look at the table now !

gutted but we will still be 5 points above them now so i am happy

and 10 points clear of everton now so not a bad night
and this weekend
liverpool v chelsea

Everton v Arse score is not that bad for us. At least it keeps Everton off our back should be dip out of the top 4 position come the end of season run in. With I think 45 points left to take they will have to go some to overall us, now they are 10 point behind. THe point Arse got may be an important point come the end of the season, but we have to win it for orselves now and not look at what the others are doing. All we have to do is make the games count from here on in.

I'm starting to think the mathematics of the coming games are swinging our way.

Reply to martino:

am i the first poster??????

Ye dint get an'undred did tha tho'...!

Points gained on Liverpool,Arsenal and Everton,stayed with Chelsea and United, pretty good overall i would say and has been mentioned Liverpool v chelsea at the weekend so more to gain.
UTV

and man u v everton this weekend so more to gain again

Reply to villa dave:

and man u v everton this weekend so more to gain again

Forgot that one!!!. So long as we beat Wigan

we are now as low as 25 to 1 to win the league highest odds are 35 to 1 arsenal lowest odds are 40 to 1 and highest 66 to 1

Reply to lucky4:

Nzogbia has been left out of the newcastle squad for their game tonight! I think this means he could be on his way to villa! I personally think he is a player we need and could be the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle until the summer when we get owen on a free! Nzogbia could cover the left wing and...

He could've been left out as punishment for all of his stupid comments in the press.

While looking at the table now as it stands with us in fourth, you have to look at the goal difference too. I hope that i'm wrong, but the current table positions of clubs and respective goal differences may be starting to tell a tale !

Man Utd's GD is 29, Chelsea's is 31, Liverpools is 22. Then you have Villa 14, Arsenal 13 then a bit of a jump to Everton 4, Wigan 2, West Ham 0.

The table shows that we have scored as many goals as Arsenal, one more than Liverpool, but two less than Man Utd (game in hand) and six less than Chelsea.
However, we have conceded 24 goals, one less than Arsenal but nine more than Liverpool, eleven more than Chelsea and fourteen more than Man Utd !

I didn't realise the GD was that bad in comparison to Pool, Chelsea and Man U and i know only points count but I hope that this isn't the start of a gap forming.

Anyway, could have been a lot worse tonight had Liverpool or Arsenal won !
UP THE VILLA

Michael Owen on crutches out for three weeks at least according to Kinnear.
Sorry lads...he's not coming.
Kinnear has hardly got a team left through injuries, when do we play them ? Is it soon ? he he he
He reckons N'zog pulled out of the game with a knee injury (along with Man City bound) Given !
UTV

Yes, the GD is inferior but if we win against Wigan (which won't be easy), we'll be second for 24 hours - and worst case scenario after LIverpool v Chelsea is 3rd

Wigan played well tonight against Liverpool and deserved their draw from what I saw.
It won't be a walkover, they'll give us a game.
Is this where it starts to heat up and get a bit tough ?

The game is on Match of the Day at the moment

Look out for the free kick from Wigan's new guy when he comes on. Fookin mint, unfortunate not to score !

That N'Zog rumour could be getting closer to being true..?! The guy that wrote this article also said something similar prior to the Heskey signing, so Martin Banks may know something??

LINK

Nice one _AA_
I'm convinced there is something in it. Joe Kinnear just mumbled his way through an Interview with Sky and he said Given and N'Zog pulled up with injuries before the game ! He looked sheepish to say the least.
It's already come out tonight about Given going to Man City so is Zoggy oming to Villa ?
There also may be something going on at Blackburn i reckon, just a hunch though !

Reply to _AV33:

Nice one _AA_
I'm convinced there is something in it. Joe Kinnear just mumbled his way through an Interview with Sky and he said Given and N'Zog pulled up with injuries before the game ! He looked sheepish to say the least.
It's already come out tonight about Given going to Man City so...

I think Blackburn's is for the Russian striker we were linked. Please don't ask me to spell it!

The Machine
Ditto...couldn't remember his name/spell it etc but I think he's from Arshavin's team Zenit.
My train of thought says they'll get him in, sell Santa to Man City leaving Sturridge to come to us !
I know it's only speculation but it makes sense to me. But that could be the cider !

Yep, that completes a decent circle... will probably finish with a Marlon move too.

Apparently, it's Pavel Pogrebnyak, 25 year old forward for Zenit. Scored 5 in 12 for the national team and 28 in 51 for Zenit. Sounds great !
I've read that Zenit think it's a done deal but there has been a work permit roblem because he hasn't played 75% of games for Russia (?) is that right ?? that rule anyway.
Blackburn are appealing to UEFA on the grounds that he was top scorer last year in Russian league...or something like that !
Sounds like a good find though doesn't he?

I ot to thinking tonight how good Steve Bruce is at spotting a starlet. You've got to give it to him...Palicious, De Ridder, Valencia, Zaki and now this new guy.
Shame he can't keep hold of them for very long, i feel sorry for him...Zaki and will be next.

Sorry about issin lett rs, keybo ard is f c ed !

Reply to _AV33:

Apparently, it's Pavel Pogrebnyak, 25 year old forward for Zenit. Scored 5 in 12 for the national team and 28 in 51 for Zenit. Sounds great !
I've read that Zenit think it's a done deal but there has been a work permit roblem because he hasn't played 75% of games for Russia (?) is that right...

You're right about Bruce. I was glad to see him move on from Small Heath because he waas always good at preparing his team for derbies.

I think Blackburn will win the appeal, I think you've got the right % but I also recall him being injured for the Euro finals (which obviously packs in a few games and lowers his % quite a bit). I think him being out gave Pavyluchenko his chance. Let's hope it ends in Sturridge at Villa

He could be a good find... let's hope he takes until after 7th Feb to settle

Reply to _AV33:

Sorry about issin lett rs, keybo ard is f c ed !

Well that was a lovely comment mate....

Shame we weren't on the radar for the Russian too ! His record is very good. Blackburn will do well if they can get him.
I can see Sturridge and N'Zog coming before the window shuts with what i've heard tonight but i'd really like MON to try for Robbie Keane. I know i keep going on about it but I reckon he could be the key for us.
The one screaming for the ball from our defenders (instead of the hoof) so as he can attack along the ground. Someone able to bring the ball forward without losing it and then playing that clinical pass through the gap or playing a winger in. Maybe even surprising everyone by going on and finishing it himself ! Robbie Keane is the one for me.
What do you reckon?

Thanks jaf...just trying to excuse the odd mistake in my comments due to shite keyboard.
Bad day mate ?

n'zogbia seen at the belfry hotel with his agent, i am guessing he is discussing his moveto the villa, villa have agreed a £5m fee today!!

Reply to bad bobby:

n'zogbia seen at the belfry hotel with his agent, i am guessing he is discussing his moveto the villa, villa have agreed a £5m fee today!!

Wheres that rumor come from? second one i've seen today about him being in Brum, maybe theres something in it especially as he was 'injured' tonight.

Ties in with his "knee injury" that Kinnear had to think about earlier.

hi danwilson82, the rumour has come from a guy who works at the belfry, he said that arounf lunchtime today he saw mon still in his training kit and some advisors and the named player were seen going into a small conference room at the belfry! they had been in there for a while, i am sure the news will leak out tomorrow,

watch this space.

What a good night, it is difficult not to get carried away when you see Villa 5 points ahead of Arsenal, 1 point behind Chelsea and Liverpool and just 3 points behind ManU. And hopefully Wigan emptied their tank against Liverpool tonight!

i actually love this blog as it gives me a sense of being at home!living in bournemouth, where i am considered a northerner (yes a northerner)sometimes makes me lose my sense of home!but being a villa boy tru and thru always gives me a kick up the ass and lets me know, there is nowhere quite like home!villa till i die!

Great night. Shame about the late Arse goal, but rude to complain.

Does anyone else do the BBC footy predictor? Just spent 2 hours on it going bananas

Brings up some really interesting stuff though if you do it week by week.

For instance: Even though May looks like an easy month for us, our last three matches could all be with teams fighting for the place above the bottom three if all goes according to form.

I'll be looking at Fulham, Newcastle and Boro to pick up some points in the next few weeks.

Amazing how timing is also going to play a part.

Like I said...

Driving myself bananas

UTV!

....Following on from that - this and Feb are the months where we need to make hay.

March 4th to April 11th is really going to be the time when we find out whether we REALLY are going somewhere special this season.

Ok, now I have gone completely f**kin nuts. Look at the time already.

Excited!

UTV!

Reply to Ipbopmalik:

I say give the current squad 'a shot at the title', they deserve it. It is a happy and unified camp, which counts for a few points on its own. Drafting in too many new players in to the squad may have a detrimental effect on the rest of the team at this stage of the season. 'If it aint broke, don't...

Could not have put it better myself.
I commented on it in a prievous post and strongly believe the lads have got us into this position and thus should keep us there.
We are on a great wave of form and the current crop of players now how to win. Simple as.

Onto Owen, I would like him at Villa, will add another dimension to our play but having 4 top-notch strikers will make more problems then solutions. Quite simply, Villa are not at the stage, like nan reiterates where players like JC, Gabby, Owen and Heskey will happily sit on the bench. Winning or not, these players will want to play and will not want anything to do with a ''rotation'' policy or the like. But if we do sign him, MON knows best! He will add valuable experince to the likes of Fonz and Gabby and will score some very crucial goals.

To be honest the Hare has to go. I'll be quite disappointed when it happens but he hasn't lived up to expectations. In his defence though, last year he built a rep as a ''impact player'' off the bench to keep the game alive, but this has hardly had a look-in, even at times when the game was screaming for a change - ie: Fulham. If he goes I wish him all the best, but Pompey may not be the best option for him.

UTV
YES WE CAN!

I can't remember the last time I looked forward to every single Villa match at this time of the season. Come on you lions!!

Owen looks to be out for a while. O'neill won't waste money on him he's to injury prone.

Reply to Brockney:

....Following on from that - this and Feb are the months where we need to make hay.

March 4th to April 11th is really going to be the time when we find out whether we REALLY are going somewhere special this season.

Ok, now I have gone completely f**kin nuts. Look at...

Good point about the tail fixtures. I had always looked at from perspective of us being in good shape if we are still in Top 4 coming out of that tough run through March/April.

It's so close down the bottom but is opening up now, I think, so hard to say who is going to be fighting for their life. Still, finishing the season at home will be superb

The Chelsea game on 21/2 is massive though.

Reply to Brockney:

....Following on from that - this and Feb are the months where we need to make hay.

March 4th to April 11th is really going to be the time when we find out whether we REALLY are going somewhere special this season.

Ok, now I have gone completely f**kin nuts. Look at...

Lol. I've just spent my morning at work doing the bbc predictor too. It's totally pointless, but for what it's worth, the league will finish like this
Man Utd 91
Chelsea 85
Liverpool 82
Villa 71
Arsenal 70
Everton 60
And Stoke, Baggies and Boro are going down...
I wouldn't recommend doing the Predictor thing unless your boss is away today and you can put the phone off the hook

Owen proves why we should avoid him - we would paying him huge wages to sit injured in the treatment room - he is out for 6-8weeks this time.