The Villa Times - 10/04/2008

Unoial Villa News...

According to The Sun, Villa are going to make a 'shock' move for Arsenal's 37-year-old German keeper Jens Lehmann.

West Ham v Villa match preview: Click Here

Congratulations to Ashley Young who has won the Barclays Premier League Player of the Month for April. Young is the second Villa player this season to pick up the award as Gabby Agbonlahor last November. Full article: Ashley Young Scoops Player of Month Award

Something for the weekend (186) Click Here

Benitez claims O'Neill understands his plans for Barry and that they will be speaking again shortly. Not quite true. As the argument between Rafa and MON continues, Vital Villan has looked at the comments made over the last few days. All very unseemly if you ask me! What do you mean you didn't ask me?! Full article: Round 4 Goes To O'Neill

Gabby Agbonlahor was a surprise double winner in last nights End of Season Awards event. Gabby walked away with two awards, the Players' and Supporters' Young Player of the Year. Gareth Barry was the Players' Player of the Year and Martin Laursen walked away with Supporters' Player of the Year. It was no surprise either to see Stiliyan Petrov grab Goal of the Season with his stunner against Derby. Gordon Cowan's was rewarded with a gong for Former Players' Player of the Year.

Olof 'the bearded wonder' Mellberg is looking to help Villa pip Everton to 5th spot as he faces his last game in the shirt of the mighty claret and blue's. He told the official site: 'This is a big game for me, my last one and, who knows, it could be big for Villa too. We are still in it for that fifth spot. It's a big game in that aspect.' Adding, 'It would be fantastic for Villa to get into Europe. That is the goal we have had. Ever since I came to the club we have wanted to be up there challenging on a regular basis.....Whatever happens on Sunday we have had a good season. We have had some really great results, especially scoring 15 goals in the three recent wins. That was really something and hadn't happened before in my career here.'

Martin O'Neill says the Villa will focus on their own game tomorrow but knows the news from elsewhere will filter through. He said on www.avfc.co.uk: 'I think it's an impossibility not to know. You're very aware and you're looking to see if the results are going in your direction. If things are going alright in your game then there's a big tendency to try and find out. Maybe someone in the backroom staff will keep an eye on things but you generally know by the tone and the mood of the crowd.' Full quotes: Click Here

Meanwhile BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson, stung by backing us a few times to win when we didn't show up, is predicting 2-1 to West Ham.

Martin Laursen has a personal best in sight when Villa face Wet Spam. If he plays, he will have started every Premiership match this season. In former years with injuries he has managed to start a maximum of 14 only, and as you can imagine, he's overjoyed at potentially being an ever present this season. Full article and quotes: Laursen To Set Personal Record

Thought for the day: 'It is hot, the sun is out, the girls are walking around with plenty on display. What am I doing? Sitting in my office typing about football. It's a funny old game!'

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