The Villa Times 03/10/2007

Unoial Villa News...

Thomas Sorensen is back in action tonight making his first appearance between the posts this season having recovered from a knee injury. Sorensen, along with Curtis Davies and Stephen O'Halloran, will play in the reserves away game against Portsmouth. Sorensen says he is up for the challenge of getting his No1 place back. Hmmm, little to no chance of that I'd hazard a guess?

Looks like Gareth Barry has given Steve McClaren little choice but to use him in the Euro qualifier against Estonia next week. The Villa skippers chances are further enhanced by the fact that Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has been ruled out of a return.

Vital Villa Fantasy League Game standings: Click Here

Martin O'Neill is looking to tie young Villa defender Stephen O'Halloran to a long term deal and then possibly loan him out to give him more first team experience. He said of the Republic of Ireland international: 'He's another one I'd like to agree a new deal with. I'm in discussion with his agent about that at the moment. He would like to go out and play games, obviously. Having had the experience at Wycombe last season and being good enough to go and play at this minute.' Adding, 'I'm torn again between the fact he needs some games and the fact that he's not a million miles away from playing here. We've had loads of enquiries about him. I see him as a left-back. He can go and play centre-half, but I think even he would say himself that he might find it difficult to get in at centre-half here.'

Martin O'Neill has agreed we need to bring in a right-back in the transfer window. We actually needed to bring one in during the last transfer window because surely with no recognised right-back at the club, we actually need two to provide competition for places and valuable cover? The Villa boss said: 'We want to try and get the right player in,' he said. 'But other players will maybe have to come in and play right-back.' Just wondered, can Marlon Harewood play at right back, he sure as heck can't play as a striker (sorry, bitch mode on today).

Injury plagued Patrik Berger has suffered a set back with his hamstring problem.

Nigel Hokey-Cokey says Martin O'Neill is a mastermind: 'We're not like Tottenham or other clubs, who have spent an enormous amount of money trying to build on their success. This is Martin O'Neill's plan, he's the mastermind behind everything, he knows exactly what he's doing and it's going well.' Is it going well? Really? Ok, we'll see. For me if money is there, you bloody well spend it and build a squad - including a right back and a striker worthy of the Villa shirt, but hey, what do I know?

Martin O'Neill has spelt out his vision for the future, he wants Villa to play attractive attacking football. Look forward to that then. Does that mean long ball hoofing will one day become a thing of the past as well? Maybe that Marlon Harewood was in fact a joke and January will see us buy a 'real' striker? Click Here

Martin Laursen, with 50%, once again won the crown. Seems strange for a defender to win motm when four goals were conceded but he did score a brace as well! 25% voted: 'After giving away 3 points, I've no idea!'

Martin O'Neill, Martin Jol and Martin Laursen + Craig Gardner on the 4-4 v Spurs: Click Here
Spurs v Villa match stats: Click Here

The official site have confirmed the rumblings that late summer signing Moustapha Salifou has had work permit troubles so has been unable to join up with the team. Following his signing a new Vital forum member suggested he was being rejected due to work permits and in truth most of the board members thought the poster was winding us up. Seems he wasn't so wide of the mark after-all! Full details: Mustapha Work Permit!

Thought for the day: A real friend is someone who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.

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