The Villa Times - 17/01/2008

Unoial Villa News...

According to Lisa Smith at the Birmingham Post, Villa are closing in on Spurs striker Jermain Defoe. Lisa says that the England international could be due to sign if the two clubs can agree a fee for the 25-year-old who has found himself getting splinters on the Spurs bench in recent seasons. The fee might be a problem though as Spurs are notoriously difficult to negotiate with, after all they got £18million for Carrick who was also in his last year of a contract. £18million? The report claims 'a source close to the player' says that Defoe was at Bodymoor Heath (Villa's training ground) yesterday talking to Martin O'Neill. Full article: Click Here

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The Mirror have an exclusive report by Alan Nixon claiming that Bolton manager Gary Megson is going to bid £1.5million for Villa defender Olof Mellberg. The 30-year-old could face a choice between Juventus and Bolton if he chooses not to extend his contract at Villa. Hmmmm, wonder which he'd choose?

The Mirror also claim that goalie Thomas Sorenson is 'fuming' at being outpriced in his attempts to move to get first team football. According to the report Villa want £500 000 for the Danish international who is out of contract in the summer. Is that too high a price for the 31 year old? I don't think so. O'Neill is reported as saying no one has enquired about him!

Gareth Barry has picked up a hip injury in training and is in a race to be fit for Monday's game against Liverpool at Anfield. Meanwhile Olof Mellberg, although not back in training, is feeling better after being too sick to play last weekend and Patrik Berger is once again back in training following an injury.

Villa's home reserve game against Arsenal will now be played at Villa Park. The match is being played on Monday 10th March, with a 7pm kick-off. The game was originally scheduled to be played at Bescot Stadium.

Tickets for Villa v Blackburn (remember, the game has been moved to Saturday 26th now) are on general sale and the price starts at just £10 for adults. Click Here

There were a number of rumours linking Isaiah Osbourne to a loan move to Leicester and now the deal has been done and dusted, all that remains is for him to recover sufficient fitness and he'll be off for a month. The Foxes manager, Ian Holloway, is hopeful that Osbourne can make his loan debut this Saturday in their game against Norwich, which is most likely going to happen. Full article Click Here

Villa and Republic of Ireland central defender Stephen O'Halloran has gone to Southampton on a month's loan.

Villa have a survey at the moment to see what giant sized flag you would like produced to be brought out on match days. To have your say see the article and follow the link: Click Here

Martin O'Neill has said that Villa owe the fans attacking and exciting football due to how much we pay these days. Full quotes: Click Here

We've all seen the speculation and the various clubs that have been linked to our centre half Gary Cahill and now although not commenting specifically on any clubs, O'Neill has admitted a number of bids have been put on the table for him. If rumours are to be believed, we are looking for £4 million upfront, with a £1 million in add on, which to me is still too low when you compare it to what we paid for Curtis Davies. Full article: Click Here

Martin O'Neill has said he has no knowledge of any interest from Reading over striker Luke Moore. Speaking to the Evening Mail, our manager said: 'That is news to me. As I have said before I would prefer to keep people here, if at all possible, because we don't have a massive squad. I can understand people maybe wanting to play but I'll treat every case on its merit. If there are things that I think are going to be suitable for us, and for the player to be fair, then I will try and do it. It really has to be a two-way thing.' You would think if we do sign Defoe, that Moore will have even more reason to want to leave? Full quotes: Click Here

Villa made it through to the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup after a 1-0 win away to Colchester. England youth player Nathan Delfouneso scored the winner. Full report on the official site. Click Here

Vital Villa asked if Stan Collymore was right, should we snap up Jermain Defoe from Spurs? 77% voted 'yes, get him now'. 11% said possibly but there are better and a further 11% said no. That left 1% who were unsure.

Summary article on recent posts in General Krulak's thread: Click Here

John Carew sealed his place in the team of the week in The Actim Index, the official player ratings system of the Barclays Premier League, following his display in Aston Villa’s win over Reading.
Villa team-mate Martin Laursen was also in the team of the week after he registered 31 points against the Royals to move six places to 11th with 335 points. Full table: Click Here

ESPN Classic have a special week of programmes for Villa called 'when we were kings'....which is nice. Schedule: Click Here

Thought for the day: A bicycle can't stand on its own because it is two-tyred.

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