The Villa Times 05/08/05

Reports suggest Villa will match the £7million valuation Baros has put on Baros and that we are now his most likely destination. I reckon he is on his way, whether he is a £7million player or not remains to be seen. Could be a top signing, if not .... well that will be DOL's problem eh?!

Solano's agent, Horacio Jauregui, has said there are clubs in Spain interested in signing him when his contract runs out at Villa next summer. Villa have reacted angrily because no one has given the player or agent permission to talk to other clubs. He can talk after January and sign a pre-contract, but not now. Expect a denial from Nobby any day soon.

29 year old Postma has lined up a half season loan at Fulham having only played five games for Villa since DOL arrived.

Wayne Henderson has a months loan to Brighton and Hove Albion after seeing a move to QPR fall through due to a disagreement over the fee. If the deal goes through for Brighton, he could make his debut tomorrow v Derby.

Meanwhile, no one has come in for me, not even a whiff of interest.

Phil Neville has joined Everton negating the rumoured links to Villa.

Villa play in Holland this evening in a friendly v Utrecht. Laursen is hoping to prove his fitness. DLC, Berson, Cahill aren't included in the squad of 18, and injured defender Mark Delaney also stays at home. Villa: Sorensen, Taylor, Ridgewell, Hughes, Mellberg, Laursen, Samuel, Whittingham, Barry, Djemba-Djemba, McCann, Davis, Hendrie, Solano, Berger, Angel, Phillips, Moore.

DOL has said left back is one of his transfer priorities 'The search definitely goes on to add to the squad before the start of the season. I've got a couple of priorities at the moment and then I'd move that way (left back). I've got to look at Gareth there, because if Jlloyd gets injured, there's no one else at this football club. Gareth has shown he can do a job there, but it's not his position. His strength is further up the field, where he has good distribution.'

DOL has also said he isn't keen on using Hughes at left-back, 'Aaron's position is right-back. We know he can fill-in at left-back, but he is solid on the right. I don't want to bog him down in a number of positions. When you start doing that, people can lose their focus.'

Thought for the day: Remember – A good friend will come and bail you out of jail…. BUT a true friend will be sat next to you saying, “Damn… that was fun!”