A Quick Villa News Round Up!

There isn't a great deal of news about today, which is to be expected as we are working out way through the horrible international break (so boring when Villa aren't playing!)

Looks like Portsmouth might be a couple of men down when they visit Villa Park on Saturday, both Lassana Diarra (phew!) and Richard Hughes are injured and in a race against time to be fit

Meanwhile Villa new boy, who has been plagued with injury problems since moving to us in the summer, scored against his former team Chelsea in the reserves game on Monday night.

England U21 boss Stuart Pearce has tipped Gabby Agbonlahor to force his way into Fabio Capello's full squad the same as Arsenal's Theo Walcott has. Gabby, who scored the winner v Wales in the first leg v Wales last Friday, has impressed Psycho who said:

'Agbonlahor gives us a cutting edge - pace and power in attack gives us cutting edge. He's a major threat at this level and he's a major threat in the Premier League. He is one of the big driving forces behind Aston Villa when they do well. The cutting edge in their team certainly comes from him. He is improving. If you ask me if I think he can get even better, then I think so. I think that will come over the next couple of years. He needs to try to have a tilt at getting into the seniors on a regular basis. I think he can improve all-round. His pace is legendary and I don't think he can improve that but his sharpness around the box, goalscoring and hold-up play can all improve.'

And finally, in an article for the Sunday Mercury, Martin O'Neill says he is looking forward to pitting his wits against Martin Jol in the UEFA Cup group stages.

'We might need to go to Hamburg to get something to qualify. The opportunity is there for us to begin with and we start with a big game at home (v Ajax). I think it’s a great tie but it’s one which throws pressure on us immediately. Marco was one of the great players and Ajax have fantastic pedigree and history. If we have to go to Hamburg and win then so be it. I would assume seven points would be enough to get you through, that’s really what we are looking for.'

Adding, 'Prague have been involved in Champions League football for the last couple of years. That’ll be difficult. After that we have the home tie against Zilina. Who knows what might happen?'

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.