The Villa Times - 17/11/2006

Unoial Villa News...

Following on from our successful interviews with Dennis Mortimer and General Charles Krulak, Vital Villa has lined up Paul Birch to answer your questions. Full details: Click Here Next up the sole survivor from the previous regime, Steve Stride.

Aston Villa along with Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham have all been linked to Birmingham City central defender Matthew Upson. The 27-year-old has been out for 7 months with a ruptured Achilles but is now fit. Steve Bruce has admitted he might have to sell the player if he won't put pen to paper on a new contract as the club won't allow him to see out the remaining 18months of his current deal and leave on a Bosman.

Stiliyan Petrov says that Premiership defenders will have noticed Gabriel Agbonlahor and he'll be a marked man. He also says he is being far more challenged in the Premiership than he was at Celtic. Full quotes: Click Here

Martin O'Neill says confidence is high as we go into Sunday's Sky Live game against Wigan. 'It's all about confidence. I suppose deep down people were talking about never having won an away game, but we took three points at Everton so we'll go there with plenty of confidence. We could lose the game, but we'll be up for the match. Taking the three points at Everton stopped people saying we hadn't won away. Whatever happened we had to pick up three points at some stage and the boys will be as keen as mustard.'

Martin O'Neill is thinking big and says the long term aim is to emulate the team of 1982 and see Villa once again lift the European Cup. O'Neill talking to the Fifa's official site he explained: 'In terms of this season I should say that we're still a million miles from achieving that. Ultimately, though, that is something we definitely want back here, particularly given the club's European history. It's all very well talking about restoring past glories, of course, but although the format has changed since Villa won the European Cup in 1982, the aim would certainly be to first of all qualify, and then to go in and be competitive.' Full quotes: O'Neill, what's that point?

The last Villa Poll asked your opinion on the stand re-naming issue (or should that be non-issue?) Seems the vast majority don't care as 59% say it doesn't matter as it will always be Villa Park to them. 22% said it would be a great way to generate money. Only 11% were dead against it saying it would be sacrilege leaving 8% with mixed feelings.

Dib dib dib, dub dub dub at Aston Villa as the scouts are out in force. Martin O'Neill is reportedly working his scouts hard across Europe as he looks for possibly January targets. Full quotes: Dib dib dib at Villa

O'Neill has been speaking about Chris Sutton 'I'm obviously very pleased with Sutton. I've given him a few days off because he's worked hard. He's a good character and he's very conscientious. He's still enjoying it and at this stage of his career he's got to enjoy it, otherwise it would be a real waste of time.' Full interview: O'Neill Rests Sutton

It had to happen, as soon as a few words are uttered by the manager about a player and his future, a link appears for the players exit. In this case Czech Republic international Milan Baros apparently being linked to AC Milan 'According to reports in Italy'. Full article: From Zero To San Siro

Villa's Young Lions have been drawn at home to Colchester United in the third round of this season's FA Youth Cup.

Vital Villa Fantasy Football current league standings: Click Here

Gerry McDonnell embraces his feminine side in the always controversial weekend Premiership preview.. Click Here

Gabriel Agbonlahor and Gareth Barry are both hoping to be fit to return to the team at the JJB Stadium on Sunday. (Don't forget it is a Sky Live 1.30pm kick off)

Wigan skipper Arjan de Zeeuw and, ahem, 'striker' Emile Heskey are doubts for Wigan this weekend.

Thought for the day: How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

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