Villa Times - 17/04/2008

Unoial Villa News...

Martin O'Neill has gagged the players from talking before this weekends local derby v Blues. 'Nobody will be doing anything. All it needs is a silly little line miss-placed or whatever the case may be - especially from players. They'll maybe think nobody will ever read it, but in this day and age there is no point in inflaming anything. We are well aware of how important the game is.' Surely Olof Mellberg should be allowed to give us his thoughts again?!?!?

Martin O'Neill is hoping Chelsea do Villa a favour tonight and beat Everton! On our chances for a 5th place finish he said: 'While it's there you might as well still go for it. Everton have got a big game against Chelsea tonight and we'll know on Sunday what we have to do. It's a big game and while we still have a chance let's keep going for it. Even if Everton beat Chelsea tonight, they still have to go to Arsenal and entertain Newcastle. We still have some really difficult fixtures ourselves of course. So the idea of trying to read into situations, I'm going to forget that. But while we still have a chance, we should go for it.'

Signed Villa ball being auctioned off for the Macmillan Cancer charity: Click Here

Villa have put up a new mosiac on the Holte End: Click Here

According to red top, The Sun, Villa are in the chase for Chelsea's Carlo Cudicini. The 34-year-old Italian goalkeeper apparently has already told Chelsea that he wants to leave despite being under contract until the end of next season. The Sun claim that his first choice would be a move to Villa with Manchester City also in the race. They also claim that Villa won't make Scott Carson's move a permanent one. For full details + quotes from Ray Clemence on Carson: Cudicini In & Carson Sent Packing?

Following reports yesterday that Liverpool want to make Gareth Barry their main transfer target in the summer, the Sun have another report, this time suggesting Steven Gerrard is backing the bid to take his mate to Anfield: Press Determined To Unsettle Barry?

Gareth Barry has hailed the impact of Marlon Harewood on the official site: 'It's been a season of patience for him and he deserves credit for keeping his head and just getting on with his job. I know the manager respects a lot of what he's done this season because he's had to wait on the sidelines while Gabby and John have been doing well up front.'

Martin O'Neill has told the Birmingham Mail that he wants to get influential Villa skipper Gareth Barry signed up to a new deal. O'Neill Wants Barry Contract Talks

Martin O'Neill has been talking about transfers from several different angles over the last few days, I guess he'll have to get used to this more and more now we are once again approaching the silly season ! On the constant links he said: 'I get letters saying: 'I see we're being linked with this Tom, Dick or Harry and why don't we go for the really big boys? I ring them back and say: 'I haven't started the link!'. I must admit I saw the link to Tom, I started the link to Dick but I'd not seen us linked to Harry? He also says that he is looking to give some of the players better contracts to ward off interest and that the links to our better players is a back-handed compliment. Full quotes: Villa Linked To Tom, Dick & Harry

Vital Villa asked, in a poll suggested by Benham, 'Would you like to see the b-lose relegated?' 68% voted: Yes...better place without them! and 32% No.....I like the derby atmosphere!

Football Fans Census survey on the standing issue: FFC On The Standing Issue At Footie

The Holte events, Villa v Everton+ Sunday lunch, quiz night and Elvis is coming to Villa Park! Click Here

Fulham reserves finished their season on a high by preventing our boys from claiming the title night before last. Fulham beat Villa (who only need 2 more points to claim the Barclays Reserve League South) 2-0

There were loads of transfer rumours linking us to players yesterday. The links including half the Getafe team, Spurs duo Aaron Lennon and Tom Huddlestone, Brian Howard from Barnsley and Fiorentina players Mario Santana, a young Argentinean midfielder along with strikers Riccardo Montolivo and Giampaolo Pazzini as well as a 'come and get me' quote from Benfica right-back Nelson. Full details: Bumper Villa Transfer Rumour Day!

Thought for the day: When you lose, don't lose the lesson

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