The Villa Times - 18/03/2008

Unoial Villa News...

Don't forget the FA Youth Cup v Chelsea at Villa Park tomorrow night (7pm kick off, free entry) Click Here

Vital Villa asked for your man of the match votes for Pompey away. The results have come back at what I can only assume is a protest vote as Moustapha Salifou won with 50%. Nigel Hokey-Cokey, who by eye witness accounts was in superb form came second with 10%. Other results: Click Here

Our latest poll, suggested by still skeggy, asks which player would be the hardest to replace if he was sold. For me our world class player is Martin Laursen, if we could get the same quality and desire as him in all our positions, we'd be winning the Champions League!

Villa have been linked with Porto right-back Jose Bosingwa, Sheffield United striker James Beattie, yes you read right, James Beattie, Atletico Madrids Diego Forlan, and Hamburg midfielder Rafael van der Vaart. We've also bagged a Rotherham keeper on trial. Full details as the silly season approaches: Click Here

The time for the Manchester United v Villa match on the 29th of March? Well, that is anyone's guess! Apparently the time should be announced today by the PL. Click Here

Martin Laursen has told the Independent that referee Chris Foy was wrong sending off Olof Mellberg during Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Portsmouth. 'It was not right - I don't think what Olof did was enough for a second yellow card.'

(By Vital Villan) Olof Mellberg is adamant Villa can still quality for Europe before he leaves for Italy. Despite his optimism when speaking on the official site, it must be acknowledged that he says 'we need a hell of a run,' and by God do we if we hope to salvage the automatic European dream from this campaign. Too many hiccups, too many errors and way too many dropped points have put a slight downer on our season - but I still maintain it shows how far we have come, despite small squad, general whinges etc, for us to be disappointed with where we sit in the league. We only have 8 games left, and Mellberg believes: 'It is still possible, we can still qualify but we obviously need a hell of a run. We are ten points behind Liverpool, and it is tough because they are playing really well at the moment. 'We are obviously aware of the situation with Portsmouth and the teams behind us as well, like Blackburn and Manchester City.' Full article: Click Here

Stephen O'Halloran and Jonathan Hogg have travelled to the US of A to see Villa's friend, Dr Richard Steadman. The two young players are facing lengthy spells on the sidelines due to knee injuries they sustained earlier in the month. Full article: Click Here

According to some reports Thomas Sorensen is in talks with Barcelona over a free summer switch. Lucky sod, could do with a bit of sun myself! Click Here

A reminder from the club: 'Villa's Barclays Premier Reserve League (south) trip to Fulham will now be played on Tuesday April 15 at Motspur Park (ko 7pm). The game had been scheduled for tonight, but has been postponed due to tomorrow's FA Youth Cup semi-final against Chelsea.'

Vital Villa fantasy league table: Click Here

Announcement of two new Villa bus services to Villa Park. These new routes include a service from Aldridge & Streetly and a service from Hinckley, Bedworth and Nuneaton. Full details: Click Here

Glensider's Pompey match report: Click Here
Stats v Pompey: Click Here
Post match reaction by MON: Click Here

Martin Laursen says on the official site that Scott Carson will bounce back following the errors at Fratton Park last Saturday in our 2-0 loss to Portsmouth. 'The goals were such frustrating goals and one was an own-goal as well. For the second goal Scott tried to clear it, but unfortunately he hit Nigel and the ball just went into the goal - it was very unlucky. But Scott will put this behind him. It is a tough business and as our goalkeeper he will be in the spotlight now. He needs to be strong, but we know that he is strong. He has proved it already, coming back like he did after his big mistake with England against Croatia.'

Martin O'Neill says that Gabby will get back amongst the goals and also that he brings more than goals to the team. Gabby hasn't scored in 10 games but O'Neill says: 'He hasn't scored for a number of games. He hasn't scored this year and he will be worrying about that, but it doesn't bother me a jot. It will worry him a bit - of course it will. I know Gabby does so much more and so many other things for us as well as attempting to score goals. Saturday wasn't his best day, but I am not concerned about Gabby. He will get a goal again and he is the least of my concerns at this football club.'

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. - Dr. Seuss

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