The Villa Times - 15/12/2006

Unoial Villa News...

Uno'fish'ial wishes you a good weekend, one and all.

Martin O'Neill says Stiliyan Petrov will start to show us his best form now he has scored his first goal. 'Petrov took charge in Monday's game (v Sheff Utd). I know from his games at Celtic he's capable of that. It was just a wonderful performance. He started quite brightly and then the goal gave him an enormous lift. It was like the weight came off his shoulders in that he'd finally cracked it. He should have scored at West Ham on his debut, and against Watford and Manchester City with the great free kick that hit the bar. He was great, he's a really good footballer. It was marvellous to see and when he gets some real confidence about himself he'll become even better.'

The Villa's kids face a trip to Sheffield United after easing past Colchester in the FA Youth Cup third round game.

Martin O'Neill has asked the fans to make some noise and lift the team tomorrow in what is sure to be a battle he said 'Now for the first time, it's up to the crowd to help lift us. The supporters can play a huge part, and it's the first time I've asked of them.': Ian, Alex, Wiggy, Naz, watch out, the mouth is coming down and I'm going to rattle the balls out of our advertising hoarding!!!!! Click Here

Vital Villa asked which song Villa should run out to on match days. Black Sabbath singing Holteenders in Sky (or other song) got 41% . Jeff Beck and Hi Ho Silver Lining got 38%. Hells Bells by AC/DC 2% (sorry Wiggy!), Guns & Roses Welcome to Jungle 15%, Villa anthem? 1%, Nirvana Smells Like Teen Spirit 3%

Gabor Kiraly has joined Villa on loan and teamed up with the rest of the squad this morning. The 30-year-old Hungarian international shot stopper will make his debut for Villa against Bolton tomorrow. Full article:

Reports are suggesting that Villa tried to bring Rangers keeper Stefan Klos but rules prevented it. Only players from the same country can be used in an emergency situation such as this.

Gary Cahill says Nicolas Anelka is the man to watch tomorrow. ''Tomorrow is going to be an even bigger test (than Sheff Utd) because they do the same thing - Route One and it's quite effective for them. Anelka is renowned for his strength and pace and I've noticed from watching him quite a few times recently that he's been playing quite well. He's a proven player and a proven goalscorer at this level but hopefully we can keep him quiet. He likes to get the ball down and play unlike their other forwards who are more direct, so it should be interesting.'

Martin O'Neill says of the transfer window: 'It is going to be difficult because the players you are looking to improve the squad sufficiently to compete again with the top-quality clubs may not be available in the January market. The chances are if there is something there to be done you may be looking at paying over the odds for someone. January is a difficult time. But, if it is only one of two transfer windows, it is still an important time. We need to strengthen and I could go into the lower leagues and pay over the odds for players and fill the squad but that is not an ideal scenario.'

Reports say that three of O'Neill's 'targets' won't be available, they are Spurs striker Robbie Keane who is out injured anyway, James Milner who Newcastle now don't want to sell and striker David Nugent who has said he is happy to stay and fight for Preston.

According to the Daily Mirror, Martin O'Neill is set to bid £3 million bid for Small Heath defender Matthew Upson. The 27-year-old former Arsenal man, who has 7 England caps, has only recently returned from injury and obviously see's his future away from the Sty. Well, you would wouldn't you? Full article: Click Here

This weeks Football Fans Omnibus survey is asking about the Cost of Going to Football, Foreign Takeovers and The Old Firm among other things. It takes just a minute to complete and FFC Reward members will pick up points as usual. Click Here

Weekend betting preview: Click Here

Winners of the Villain book competition were: queue drum roll - Glensider and Steffthevillan. I've also made a 3rd prize which is basically my copy of the book when I've finished it. Col8 was the winner. Thanks for all the entries, some very entertaining grovelling and answers given!

Bolton fan interviewed ahead of our match tomorrow: Click Here

Vital Villa asked what consultation points do you want to put to Villa at the SCG meeting this Saturday. The three that will be put forward are: 1) Season tickets for £200 to fill Villa Park which got 43% of the votes. I think this one will be a hard sell myself! 2) Villa fans both ends with away fans moved out of the way got 33% 3) The third choice was to restore the Villa badge which got 15% of the votes. (Other votes were: Better catering and service on match days, which I thought would be one of the 3 points to put to them, got 5%. 3% voted for the club to smarten up the outside and make the Villa signs better, they presently look cheap and plastic. A PA system you can hear (!) got 1% but is definitely a point that many fans have spoken about.)

Thought for the day: The dodo died. Then Dodi died, Di died and Dando died. Dido must be bricking it.

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