The Villa Times - 01/06/2008

Unoial Villa News...

Tottenham and Aston Villa are both apparently interested in Getafe's 27-year-old Argentinean defender Cata Diaz. I'm interested in Cameron Diaz, doesn't mean I'm going to get her though, sadly.

Reading have told would be Nicky Shorey bidders, including Aston Villa, Newcastle and West Ham and if reports are to be believed Nice, that the club won't let the 27-year-old England international defender leave on the cheap. Royals chief executive Nigel Howe told the Daily Star: 'You sometimes get clubs who will fly a kite with a stupid offer, but no-one will steal any of our players away. We have a club here we have to protect.'

Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has again told the Liverpool boss Tom Jones-mini-me Rafa Benitez he needs more games in order to keep his international place. It is reported that Manchester City, Newcastle, Portsmouth and Aston Villa are all interested in the giant striker if the Anfield club agree to drop their price of around £15million. Crouch has just one year left on his contract so you'd expect them to look at getting back some of the fee they paid for him surely? The former Southampton and Villa man said in the Daily Star: 'I have spoken to Rafa. I have to play more games if I want to stay in the England set-up. I didn't play enough last season, that's for sure. I need to play more at club level to be able to play at international level. You have got to be noticed. I need to play more games. I didn't get enough and it's something I have to look out for next season.'

Sunday's transfer rumours: Click Here
Friday's transfer rumours: Click Here

Vital Villa asked Will Gareth Barry still be at Villa next season? 41% voted 'No, he'll go for £15m'. 24% said yes. 15% say he'll be going but the price will be over £15million. 12% voted 'who knows, just get it resolved!' and 8% believe the situation to be totally in the balance.

The Aston Villa Former Players Association have organised a golf day and dinner on Friday 11th July 2008 at Abbey Golf Club & Hotel in Redditch. The event has a special significance as it will help to raise essential funds for Paul Birch who is currently fighting bone cancer. Your support of the event will greatly enhance the AVFPA fundraising efforts on Paul's behalf. AV FPA Golf Day & Dinner For Paul Birch

According to The People, Villa have made a £7million bid for Newcastle United midfielder James Milner. The 22-year-old left sided midfielder/winger enjoyed a loan spell at Villa in the 2005/06 season making 33 appearances and scoring 3 goals. Martin O'Neill very nearly secured a permanent move for the player before Freddie Shepherd recalled the player who was apparently on the way down to Villa Park to sign. Full article: Villa Back In For Newcastle Winger Milner?

Vital Villan: Gordon Cowan's has said that he expects Nathan Delfouneso to make an impact in preseason with the Villa after sterling progress last term. Full article: Del's Big Chance

Vital Villan: Martin Laursen puts the thanks for his 6 goals as their door. Laursen, Player of the Year, bagged 6 goals during the last campaign and he thanks the coaches for having a quiet word with him about how confident and aggressively he should be attacking the ball when in the oppositions box. Speaking on the official site, Ol Reliable Knees said: 'I was delighted with my goals tally. People have been telling me that I can improve - and I have to improve - when I go up for set-pieces. I've been told to be more confident when I go up into the opposition half and that's what I've tried to do. It's been working. I've believed more in myself. I now go up wanting to score rather than sometimes just to make my presence felt. I want to make something happen.' Laursen Thanks Straight Talking Coaches

Vital Villan: Curtis Davies has said he is determined to back fit and raring to go by September. Speaking on the official site, the defender said: 'You have to get your head down and work. I'm determined to get back for September. I've got to make sure I do everything right. If that means a lot of hard work this summer, that's fine with me.'

Marlon Harewood's agent says that Stoke have enquired to Villa about the availability of Marlon Harewood following press links to the former West Ham man. The Hare Not Looking To Potters Move

The ever excellent Something for the weekend column: Something for the weekend (190)

Steven Gerrard has again spoken about another clubs player and helped tap up the Villa skipper Gareth Barry. Full article: Steven Gerrard Taps Up Barry For Liverpool

Thought for the day: 'age is a very high price for maturity'.

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