The Villa Times - 3/11/2007

Unoial Villa News...

Martin O'Neill says Villa need to get back to winning ways against Derby County today. 'It is important that we make the most of playing at home, We also need to make sure that we play more like we did for the first 30 minutes in our previous home game against Manchester United than like we did in the draw at Bolton last Sunday. We have got to make sure that we start winning again. It is vital that we make sure we approach this game properly because it will be a hard match. If we can come out of the blocks quickly then I will be very pleased but if we start the same way we did against Bolton then it will be a long hard day.' He also warns that Derby will be no pushovers as they proved to Newcastle by beating the Magpies 1-0

Looks like John Carew is close but no cigar as he looks to recover from his knee injury. After today he will have missed his sixth game. O'Neill said: 'John is close but we don't want to risk him when he is not 100 per cent.

Villa launch their new official site on Monday.

Patrik Berger says that Gabby Agbonlahor is a very important player for Villa adding on the official site the speedy striker has 'improved massively over that time. Now he knows how to use his speed. He can hold the ball very well and he's scoring goals. That's what it's all about. He has the speed and he can score goals. So I think he is a very important player for us. He will get even better and the confidence comes. The more he plays in the Premier League and the more he plays against the top players, he will realise they are only human beings and he can play against anyone. He is strong, he has the speed and he is improving every single game. I think he is one of the top strikers in the league.'

Former Villa man Milan Baros has been caught speeding at 169mph in his Ferrari. Can't say I blame him!

Ashley Young says it is essential that Villa keep hold of Gareth Barry saying 'He's sheer quality and a player we just can't afford to lose. There's nothing flash about him but there's nobody more effective in doing the simple things well. You can't get the ball off him and he never wastes a pass - he's been a revelation for England in our last four games.'

Martin O'Neill says Villa have had no contact from anyone with regards to Gareth Barry following paper reports linking him with a £15m move to Chelsea adding on Sky Sports News, 'We've heard absolutely nothing about that either from the football club itself or from Gareth's agent, But that doesn't mean that someone wouldn't attract the attention of clubs who are playing big, big football, Champions League football - for instance Chelsea, who have won the league two out of the last three years. I think as well that's probably something in the way Gareth's been playing and that maybe it's something I'll have to come to expect.'

Martin O'Neill says the average players with high wages are a problem but thinks the big wages for top players is ok. This follows the Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe comments last week when he said wages for the likes of John Terry (£150k a week?) are 'obscene'. O'Neill said: 'I do not begrudge the top-quality players getting well paid and I don't care what era you happen to be in. It seems to be as if the Premier League is awash with money and the very good players seem to be availing themselves of that through their own efforts and the efforts of agents. I haven't got a major problem with that, what I do is the follow-on from that, that the very average players are getting well paid and that has been a bit of a problem, whereas in our day average players got average money - and I would know plenty about that.' Must admit I think it is these wages that will drive the decent fans away from the game but hey ho, I'd take it if that sort of money was offered to me!

Martin O'Neill has cleared up the reports over the last week following Peter Ridsdales book that he had agreed to join Leeds whilst Celtic manager. Martin O'Neill says that he had agreed in principle to join Leeds with certain conditions. That was because Celtic hadn't offered him a new deal which had 'disappointed' him and he was free to talk to other interested parties. Full article if you like storms in a tea cup: O'Neill Clears Up Ridsdale Comments

Short FFC survey on how many goals you've missed whilst watching football: Click Here

Derby preview: Click Here
Derby predictions poll: Mystic Mug, Lawro and Fans Say Win
Derby fan interviewed: Interview with a Ram

Thought for the day: COME ON YOU VILLA BOYS! And as a bonus thought! We were so poor when I was growing up we couldn't even afford to pay attention.

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