Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: J P Fear 
Date:Saturday August 2 2008
Time: 8:25PM
UK time is: 15:34:16
Choose your club
Other Sites
Network Navigation
Vital Partners
'If It's Football, It's Vital'
Reading 1 - Villa 1 & Sidwell Injured
Martin O'Neill said after the pre-season friendly v Reading today that the 1-1 gave the team a 'useful workout'.
Brad Friedel saved a penalty on his debut in an otherwise typical pre-season game, good atmosphere from the Villa fans and the 30 Reading fans who came also seemed to enjoy themselves!
O'Neill told the official site: 'I was very pleased with the run-out. I knew it would be a tough game and so it proved. Reading are just a week away from their own season starting, so they were up for it. So I thought it was a terrific workout. Brad Friedel made his debut and though he didn't need a penalty save to prove he's a class goalkeeper, his overall performance was really very commanding and so assured. I think that given an injury free run he will do well for us. It was very good for us to see some of the younger players in action and a chance for some of the older players who didn't get a game last weekend to play.'
'The other big bonus was of course Curtis Davies coming through another hour. That's his second game in three days and he's done very well - surprising quite a few people with the speed of his return.'
VILLA: Friedel, Gardner, Stieber, Laursen, Davies, Salifou, Osbourne, Maloney, Routledge, Carew, Harewood. Subs: Barry, Young (for Osbourne 62), Agbonlahor (for Carew ht), Delfouneso (for Maloney 75), Knight (for Davies 62), Petrov, Reo-Coker (for Gardner ht), Albrighton (for Routledge 75), Taylor.
The bad news, on a day seemingly full of gloom as Barry it appears still wants out, is that new signging Steve Sidwell picked up a calf strain and could be a doubt for the start of the new season.
Martin O'Neill told www.avfc.co.uk: 'He picked up a calf strain yesterday and he's very disappointed. It might be a couple of weeks so he might actually struggle for the start of the season. So we'll see. That's a blow to us.'
Not so sure about the pie situation at Reading either, I ordered a pie and pint and got the most disgusting Cornish Pastie instead. Surely something needs to be done about such an outrage??!! :o)
Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Monaco
Your Comments
Nicky Shorey was seen in a Pub near Solihull last night with MON. Seriously.
UpTheHolte
Not a pretty good start for Sidwell at Villa. First the own-goal, now this injury. Hope he recovers soon. Things can only get better now.
chelseaforever
Now don't try and tell us we sold you an injury prone player!
merlin
Starting to give up on the will to live now, perhaps DOL not so bad after all, billy m,cneill, doctor jo, graham turner, at least they bought some *****in players!
silkie villain
What a sad saturday evening its turning out to be. Having been (over the moon) with the news Gareth was ataying it now appears he is not. I now feel the quicker he goes the better. Gareth stop messing Mon about and GO. Thank you for all you have done for us over the past ten years it has been a pleasure to have had you in our team. I wont boo you when you return to villa park you deserve better than that.
Lets hope we can now move on and concentrate on the coming season. Please please please MON start spending and bring in the new players who will improve our team.
50 years a villan
Nicky Shorey carried mon home from the pub he was so *****ed. And if you believe that UP THE HOLTE you must believe in father christmas
50 years a villan
Wouldn't be supprised to see Shorey come in though, it seems strange he was missing today and not injured.
johnmurphy3112
Yes that was a little bit of a mystery . lets hope he signs for us this week
50 years a villan
Sky Sports News says Nicky Shorey was in the stands watching the game. Shorey is a very important player to the squad of Reading, so he should of been playing in the game if he is not injured. He has got to be on the move now, and i really hope that we get him. I think he is a quality player and will be a very good addition to our squad. I wonder if Martin O'Neil had a chat to Steve Coppell about him at the end of the game.
villa for ever
FFS so we will have to start the season with Petrov and NRC in the centre of the park and actually play Routledge or Salifou just to make up a Midfield! Jesus Christ and his Technicolour Dreamcoat with Gardner at RB who are we going to have on the Bench?!
Tez86
Well at least we've got three GK's!
Bobby Norman
Bad news for you, aren't it?
Bosko-Macedonia
aren't they***
Bosko-Macedonia
Hey Merlin we have retained the reciept and may want a refund if Sidwell turns out to be non-merchantable goods.
col8
Brilliant news about Curtis Davis, like having a new player ...
col8
You should have had a pizza pocket Fear they rocked! Even if they did have cheese in! ;)
DeanoVilla
I thought the pastie was alright myself Fear. Hardly the bargain of the century though, 6 quid for a Fosters and pastie. Friedel did well saving that pen but I reckon Carson would have caught it.......I'll get me coat.
jonah
Curtis Davis being back is awsome. Like you said col8 its like having a new player. Brilliant news. Results don't matter at this stage which is obvious but the workout yesterday seemed good so they must be getting a lot fitter now. Theres gotta be some signings this week hasn't there?
bellywipes
According to SSN the Coppell interview showed that a bid had gone in but didn't meet their asking price. Its got be Villa's bid because we are always offering paltry offers and then losing out on some major signings. Haggle yes but come on a few hundred grand is nothing is it Randy?
bellywipes
Shame about Sidwell, he needs as many games as he can before he is back to his best, and this injury will set him back a little! In regards to Shorey, i hope it was M'ON who bid for Shorey, Coppell seems to think the club will come back, and there is a 60% chance that Shorey will be gone this week! Maybe if it was M'ON who bid he asked Coppell not to play Shorey just in case he got injured and would rule out a possible move?!
JOHN.CAREWS.CREW
The Fear's pastie looked like muck in pastry. They ran out of hot dogs so i just had a coke and a packet of crisps- not good value for nearly £4. I should have had the pizza pod! :(. Boo.
randy.stand
i think this season will be the reverse of last in terms of our luck with injuries. Bouma and Sidwell out with the season yet to start. doesn't bode well, numbers needed
UTV
absolutely shocking, I cant believe that you cant even get a decent pie at a footy game these days!!!
romanianvillain
Lincoln City revisited. Very little progress in between the two games in my humble one, either on or off the pitch. The reappearance of Curtis Davies was really the only tangible thing to become excited about, certainly the performance left a lot to be desired. My mood was dampened even further after the game when three locals that we were enjoying refreshements with, told us that the talk around Reading was that Nicky Shorey looks Fratton Park bound. Martin! Wakey-Wakey!!
glensider
Wayne Routledge - no end product. Gets himself into good positions, involved in decent situations, but the final ball lets him down. Martin - Spend some money!! Who are you waiting for! Face facts, these players who you've been chasing hard and waiting on since day one of the window opening, aint gonna happen. Move on to plan B. Please!!
glensider
Kevin Doyle on his way to Villa Park I wonder. That was the definite buzz from Reading fans.
glensider
Have Your Say
Recent Articles
The Vital Villa Player Of The Season Is... (Thursday May 23 2013)
Bumper Transfer News - SOME Inward! (Thursday May 23 2013)
New Contracts? Better Deals? It's Only Money!! (Thursday May 23 2013)
Petrov Delighted With Assistant Coach Role (Wednesday May 22 2013)
Broadcasting Revenue For AVFC For 2012/13 Season (Wednesday May 22 2013)
N'Zogbia Exit And £5m Given To Keeper? (Wednesday May 22 2013)
Villa's Pre Season Schedule (Tuesday May 21 2013)
Vlaar Pleased With First Good Touch Of The Game (Tuesday May 21 2013)
Villa Season Ticket Help Sessions (Tuesday May 21 2013)
They Think It's All Over - Not Yet - Soccer Sevens (Tuesday May 21 2013)
Archived Articles
Vital Members League (view all)
| 1. | Pride of Lions | 997 |
| 2. | The Fear | 766 |
| 3. | BodyButter | 502 |
| 4. | kefkat | 409 |
| 5. | CDX_EIRE | 328 |
| 6. | ClivetheVillan | 304 |
| 7. | Villan57 | 244 |
| 8. | thefacehead | 241 |
| 9. | DeanoVilla | 230 |
| 10. | James06 | 197 |
League Results (view all)
| Latest Results | ||||
| Wigan | 2 | - | 2 | Aston Villa |
| Aston Villa | 1 | - | 2 | Chelsea |
| Norwich | 1 | - | 2 | Aston Villa |
| Aston Villa | 6 | - | 1 | Sunderland |
| Man Utd | 3 | - | 0 | Aston Villa |
| Aston Villa | 1 | - | 1 | Fulham |
League Table (view table)
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 12. Fulham | 38 | 11 | 10 | 17 | -10 | 43 |
| 13. Stoke | 38 | 9 | 15 | 14 | -11 | 42 |
| 14. Southampton | 38 | 9 | 14 | 15 | -11 | 41 |
| 15. Aston Villa | 38 | 10 | 11 | 17 | -22 | 41 |
| 16. Newcastle | 38 | 11 | 8 | 19 | -23 | 41 |
| 17. Sunderland | 38 | 9 | 12 | 17 | -13 | 39 |
| 18. Wigan | 38 | 9 | 9 | 20 | -26 | 36 |
Breaking League News
| Transfer Targets: Potential summer signings - P1
» Reading : 23/05/2013 13:35:00
|
| Liverpool: May's Player Of The Month
» Liverpool : 23/05/2013 13:28:00
|
| Martinez back in as favourite
» Everton : 23/05/2013 13:25:00
|
| Turkish Striker Interest Registered!
» Chelsea : 23/05/2013 13:07:00
|
| Match Day Moments - Man City (USA)
» Chelsea : 23/05/2013 13:06:00
|
| Mourinho Arrives at Chelsea in £50 Million Deal
» Chelsea : 23/05/2013 13:04:00
|
| Chelsea - Rooney Is Leaving United!
» Chelsea : 23/05/2013 13:03:00
|
Current Site Poll (view all polls)
|
|
1 © - All content copyright Vital Network Ltd, not to be reproduced without explicit permission Copyright Issues
Cookie Policy
At Vital Football, we along with most other modern websites use small files called 'cookies' to create the most secure, effective and functional website possible for our users. Without these files our business model, based on advertising, breaks down and we would be unable to continue to provide the services that you are here to utilise. By continuing to use this website after seeing this message, you consent to our use of cookies on this device unless you have disabled them. For full details please read our Cookie Policy which can be found here. However, if you would like to disable cookies on this device, please view our Cookie Policy which contains an opt-out tool for disabling advertising cookies. Please also visit our information pages on 'How to manage cookies' if you would also like to block all other types of cookies. Please be aware that parts of this site will not function correctly if you disable cookies.