The Villa Times 09/06/2006

Aston Villa fullback Mark Delaney is being linked to Middlesbrough after former team mate Gareth Southgate took over as manager at the Riverside. Delaney was angry this season when the club took out the one year option on his contract but didn't extend it. It is widely thought that the player will be sold this summer with fees of between £400 - 600 000 being reported.

The James Milner situation rumbles on. His agent told skysports.com 'We have had discussions with Newcastle about James. There has been a meeting and there is another one planned soon to see what Newcastle want to do regarding James. We know Aston Villa are interesting and we are just waiting to see what happens at Newcastle's end before progressing.' Full article: Click Here

Rookie Villa striker Sam Williams wants to follow Luke Moore and Gabriel Agbonlahor's examples and force his way into the first team. He told the official site: 'I had a great spell for the reserves around the turn of the year and that got me the loan move to Wrexham. Things went well there. They played me in the hole and I created more goals than I scored, but the experience was brilliant.' Full article: Click Here

Wilfred Bouma is looking forward to getting pre-season training under his belt and to have a major impact in what will be his first full season in the Prem. Full article: Click Here

Vital Villa asked if Lee Hendrie should be given a testimonial. 44% said no because players are paid enough without testimonials. 38% of them saying not only should he get one but that they would attend. 16% said he should but that they wouldn't go. 2% said not if he is sold.

Looks like Milan Baros might struggle to be fit for the Czech Republic's opening World game against USA on Monday due to a foot injury. The Euro's golden boot winner injured the planter arch of his foot after falling over in training. The Czech manager, Karel Bruckner said 'He cannot even run gently. He has hurt the muscle in his foot.'

Darius Vassell, who for some reason gets booed by sections of the Holte End whenever he returns with Manchester City, still considers himself a Villa fan according to the latest (16th) edition of Villa's magazine Claret and Blue. Villa asked our former striker to sign the Harmoney Register which he did. The one section of the register, which you can also sign if you go to the North Stand reception, asks 'relationship to the club'. Vassell said quite simply 'supporter'.

Villa have sold the Serpentine Land for £7million. Two articles: Is Villa now worth £7m less? Click Here + the full club statement: Click Here

Survey on Fans habits during World Cup games from Football Fans Census in association with PG Tips: Click Here

Sunderland's young midfielder Grant Leadbitter has been linked to Villa again as his contract runs out this summer. A fee would be most probably decided by a tribunal due to his age. Manchester City and Blackburn are also said to be interested. I first reported on the link on 13/3/2006: Click Here

Thought for the day: Stupidity is not a handicap. Park elsewhere!

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