The Villa Times 20/11/2006

Unoial Villa News...

Aston Villa have announced a new CEO and Finance Director. Richard FitzGerald is the new CEO, starting in January and Robin Russell is the Chief Financial Officer, starting today. Full details: Click Here

Having completed 200 games for Aston Villa last weekend, Swedish international defender Olof Mellberg is looking to win some silverware in his next 100 at the mighty claret and blue. Full quotes from the bearded wonder: Click Here

Aston Villa's Under-18s beat Birmingham City 3-0. Zoltan Stieber, Danny Earls and Tobias Mikaelsson all scored in the first half.

Villa reserves take on Spurs at Stevenage Borough tonight. Kevin MacDonald's men has won two, lost two and drawn one and have still to play at home this season!

Vital Villa asked which striker you would like to see brought in to Villa in a poll suggested by Newman. Alan Smith 2%, Jermain Defoe 10%, Antonio Cassano 20%, Robbie Keane 49%, Freddy Eastwood 4%, Dean Ashton 15%.

Martin O'Neill was happy with the hard fought point against Wigan: 'Going into the last two games I'd have settled for four points from six.' adding 'This was a hard-fought point and not too many teams come here and take anything from the game. We've had to work hard and were rewarded for all that effort and commitment.' Full article: Click Here

Wigan v Villa match stats: Click Here
Wigan v Villa match report: Click Here

Vital Villa asked for match predictions, 26% said a draw, 7% said a loss and the rest said Villa would win.

Milan Baros has questioned his future at Villa saying: 'If the situation remains like this in the longer term, then I will have to think about things more. I thought I would do better this season, but I haven't played much and the performances have not been as good as they can be. I am working hard in training and waiting for my chance. But it is difficult if you go to a match and know if you do not play well, you will be on the bench in the next match.' Baros was linked to Milan last week. Full article: Click Here

Martin O'Neill has suggested players are paid too much and are now alienated from the fans. Full quotes: Click Here

In another poll last week we asked who was our best striker over the last ten years. 74% voted Dwight Yorke, 15% said Dion Dublin, 7% Juan Pablo Angel, 2% Stan Collymore, 1% Darius Vassell and 1% Savo Milosevic.

Another good idea to get bums on seats as Villa have decided not to charge ticket upgrades for the forthcoming home Premiership clash with Manchester City (Nov 29). That means if the kids cannot go (because it's a school night) an adult can gain admission using a child's season ticket.

Some reports are suggesting that Newcastle United are tracking Villa midfielder Steven Davis and might use James Milner as part of a swap deal. Davis was virtually ever present last season under David O'Leary but has fallen out of favour and is spending more time on the bench in the current campaign.

In the Sunday Sun Newcastle has also been linked to supposed Villa target - Celtic's Shaun Maloney. As we've reported before the player is out of contract in the summer and has put contract talks on hold until January when he can talk with other clubs. The Sunday Sun quote a 'source close to Maloney' saying 'Shaun knows Newcastle are interested, as is Roy Keane at Sunderland. There's been talk of Aston Villa coming in - probably due to Martin O'Neill knowing Shaun from his days at Celtic - but we've heard nothing about that.'

Thought for the day: Borrow money from pessimists -- they don't expect it back.

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