The Villa Times 09/11/05

Blimey. A play me or lose me ultimatum from Lee Hendrie. Wonder if he needs any help packing his bags?! He has undergone knee surgery this season but is now fit and wanting first team action. 'It's probably the worst start I've had to a season,' Lets face it, he isn't alone in the Villa team there! 'I've got through the operation and the injury is fine. I've been back in training over a week. The knee feels fantastic and I'm fit' before adding that if he doesn't get his first team place back, he might have to look at going out on loan at Christmas time.

Reports this week suggest that Petchey is about to sell his 20% stake in Aston Villa and the suggestion is that Ellis will follow close on his heals with the Comer Homes group being the most likely purchasers. I'll believe it when the ink is dry on the contract, but it is clearly time and even Doug will know that.

Crisis, what crisis? No crisis but the league position is 'a concern' according to O'Leary. Villa current sit in 17th place with a lowly 9 points. This is our worst start for 35 years, but O'Leary is calling for the players to keep their belief despite losing 6 of the last 8 games. He told the official site 'We are not in crisis but we want to be doing better than we are. You've got to be concerned.'

Villa have reportedly joined the race with Everton to gain the signature of Spurs striker Robbie Keane. To my calculations that is the 3044th time we have been linked with Keane.

According to Doug, he made a pact with Everton supremo Bill Kenwright not to out bid each other for Beattie. Doug has stated, in his new autobiography (serialised in the Express) that it was the players dad who rang up both Villa and Everton and said he wanted to move to them and so Doug and Kenwright agreed to offer the same money and let the player make up his own mind. Full story:

The reserves game v Liverpool was called off last night as the Bescot Stadium pitch was waterlogged.

Baros is hoping to return from international duty fully fit: 'I'd gone three weeks without any training but now I've played. I was a bit tired on Saturday but hopefully when I come back from the internationals I will be back up there fitness wise and my performance can improve. I was feeling the Achilles a little bit but I can play with that. I have had some good treatment with Villa and now I will have some more when away with my country and it should be okay.'

Villa have been linked with a transfer window swoop for Liverpool and ex Leeds midfielder Harry Kewell. 'Nice' hair, not sure about his form or injury record though. He was magnificent for Leeds a few years back, but that was a few years back!

A few articles about rallying cries from players. I won't waste my time or yours with them. I'd rather they did their 'talking' on the pitch.

Thought for the day: If you can remain calm, you just don't have all the facts.