The Villa Times - 10/11/2006

Unoial Villa News...

Martin O'Neill has said that Gareth Barry has had a reaction to his back injury picked up in the 4-0 loss to Chelsea and is unlikely to feature tomorrow against Everton. 'He trained, but afterwards he was pretty uncomfortable and he's unlikely to play at Goodison Park.'

Vital Villa asked who was the best striker in the Premiership. Didier Drogba 44%, Thierry Henry 42%, Peter Crouch 3%, Wayne Rooney 7%,
Jermain Defoe 2%, Other 2%

33-year-old striker Chris Sutton should be fit to return against Everton tomorrow after being rested v Chelsea. O'Neill decided not to risk him in the Carling Cup after he played the full 90 mins v Blackburn and ended up with some cramp: 'But I took some advice from the physios and the doctor and I left it alone. That's the first time I've listened to doctors and physios, but there we go! I'm hoping he will be okay for Saturday.'

Martin O'Neill has said our 20-year-old striker Gabby Agbonlahor has to be allowed to develop at his own pace. 'Gabby has got loads of time to develop his game and that's what he is doing. Gabby is a very level-headed lad and I don't think he is affected at all by things - but let's not rush him.' Full article: Villa Youth - Give Them Time

Looks like Martin Laursen's initial optimism might not have born fruit as Martin O'Neill has confirmed the Danish international defender has picked up medial ligament damage and could be out for between 10 weeks and anything up to three months. Martin Laursen Blow

Aaron Hughes is a doubt for the trip to Everton on Saturday after picking up another groin injury. O'Neill said: 'It's the problem he picked-up on international duty earlier this season and it's come back to haunt him. It is a problem and we've got one or two injuries all of a sudden, but we have to get on with it.'

Martin O'Neill has said that Villa fans have yet to see the best of new signing Stiliyan Petrov. Martin O'Neill told the official site: 'I think he is just settling in and once he gets his bearings here he will be absolutely fine. He knows himself. He will surge back again. For the sort of level that he has set himself, he will want to get back to that as quickly as possible. I feel at sometimes in the game, my own view is that, I think he is passing it rather too easily rather than bursting forward with the ball which is his strength.' Full article: Click Here

Martin O'Neill has said forget Chelsea, it is time to focus on Everton: Click Here

Premiership betting preview: Click Here

Chelsea v Villa match stats: Click Here

Lee Hendrie still wants back in at Villa having recaptured his fitness at Stoke. 'It's where I've spent a big part of my life. Being away definitely makes me want to get back into the team, without a shadow of a doubt. I obviously want the boys to be doing well every week and they are. I'm really pleased about that and I'm always checking out the results. I'm definitely looking to come back and try and make an impact if I can.' Full article: Click Here

Thought for the day: Anorexics. When your knees become fatter than your legs, start eating cake again.

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