The Villa Times - 12/09/2007

Unoial Villa News...

The latest reports are linking Gary Cahill with a loan move, the most recent has him off to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Martin O'Neill has said all along that he will consider loan moves for the younger or 'fringe' players in order to get them first team football. Full article: Click Here

Martin O'Neill has assured midfielder Isaiah Osbourne that he is still in his plans. 'Isaiah was excellent against Wrexham in the Carling Cup and he is definitely improving as a player. He is a much better player than he was last season and making really good progress. I can see him making really good strides this season.'

Yesterday Vital reported quotes from Thomas Sorensen suggesting he was trying to angle a move away from Villa: 'For me the most important thing is to play, I will never choose a higher salary ahead of that. In case I don't play anymore at Aston Villa, I am willing to accept a salary reduction to find the right club.'

Today Thommo has come out (no, no, not come out like that, jeez, read the whole sentance will you? Smutty minds the lot of you!) angrily saying he was misquoted and that he does want to fight for the place between the posts at Villa. 'These stories make me look like I've given up and I'm not willing to fight for my place. That's rubbish. Basically I've not even been fit, so I couldn't give the manager a decision to make. Now I am fit and I want to give the manager a selection problem. I've said all along to everyone at Aston Villa that I'm here to fight for my place. I'm well aware of the situation. Scott has done well, but I have to work hard and wait for my chance. That's been the bottom-line' Sorry Son, Keeper Not After Exit

According to reports today, Villa skipper Gareth Barry should keep his place in the England starting 11 tomorrow night against Russia. Apparently Owen Hargreaves has failed to recover from a thigh injury in time. Barry said of his partnership with Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, 'I'm not sure whether everybody knows what good friends we are off the pitch. The communication was there, we weren't strangers and that was the key to the partnership working. Balance is about working hard for each other - when one midfielder attacks, one defends.'

Stiliyan Petrov says he isn't going to throw a hizzy fit after being dropped and promises he will do his best to fight to get his starting place back. 'We have 23 players and we will all play our part for Villa. I've never taken my place for granted nor expected to have a guaranteed place in the team. I don't expect any special treatment just because I've cost the club big money.' Good On You Stan!

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Martin O'Neill has set the world of football right saying that Gareth Barry is the same quality as the likes of Frank Lampard and that he deserves his England place on merit, not just as a stand in. 'There's hellish competition in there when you look at Frank Lampard and all the rest of those boys in there now. That's where England are particularly strong and Gareth is in there mixing it with those, which is terrific.' Graham Taylor as also speaks of the Villa skipper. Full article: O'Neill & Taylor In Praise Of Barry

Martin Laursen says The Bearded One, Olof Mellberg can fill the right-back slot without a problem. 'There is no doubt that Olof prefers to play as a centre-back but he plays well as a right-back as well. Make no mistake, he can play there. He has played the right-back role before at Villa and also done it for his country. He is better as a centre-half but he can also be a really good right-back. He is a great guy who has done well for Villa and will just get on with the job asked of him.'

Vital Villa asked for your votes for Player of August. The winner was winger Ashley Young with 39% who ran riot causing many a defender a headache! The new rock in our defence Martin Laursen came in second with 22% Shaun Maloney was next up with 12% for his Carling Cup performance and Nigel Hokey-Cokey was just 1% behind him for his midfield displays.

Our latest poll, suggested by *Holte*End*Star* asks if, following the transfer window closing, we have enough players to push for Europe.

Thought for the day: A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.... and as that is rubbish, lets have a bonus thought.... Police were called to a nursery where a three-year-old was resisting a rest.

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