The Villa Times - 01/03/2007

Villa boss Martin O'Neill hopes the training camp break in Spain last week will help set the team up for a final push UP the Premiership table. He said: 'I'll know more over the next eleven games. It was beneficial in the sense that we had very little pre-season in terms of proper preparation, and so this was a bit of an update. I'm not saying that we worked through every single detail, or anything like that but it was good. It was good for the players to get together and at this time of year it was excellent. But the proof will be in the pudding- it is whether you win the games or not.' Full article: (No Gain without Spain)

Shaun Maloney has spoken about his move to the Premiership and says he doesn't regret coming to Villa Park despite the fact he could have been playing in the Champions League with Celtic.

Martin O'Neill has dismissed reports linking Aaron Hughes to Sunderland on loan or the paper talk of Jlloyd Samuel being lined up by Bolton in a summer Bosman move and Juan Pablo Angel back to River Plate. O'Neill said: 'I have not heard anything about those two. I have not heard from the football clubs. Nobody from Bolton has contacted me about Jlloyd Samuel, although I am not saying that they should. I didn't know about River Plate or about Sunderland and Hughes.'

Peter Whittingham is doing great at Cardiff by the sounds of it, good to see an ex-Villan doing the business.

The mothers day (sorry mom) home Premiership game v Liverpool (March 18) has sold out.

Some reports are suggesting Villa will make a £6million bid for West Brom's Diomansy Kamara. Also linked are Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Roma. Kamara joined the Baggies from Portsmouth for £1.6million. Jason Koumas has also been linked.

Vital Villa asked what was the best Villa chat. Holteenders in the Sky - 55%, My old man - 27%, Villa, Villa, Villa - 9%, Birmingham, are you listening? - 5%, Villa till I die - 3%, Aston Villa fc - 1%. Baffled with those results, Aston Villa fc below a song about Small Heath? Ho hum.

Prem betting preview: Click Here

Martin O'Neill has said he is very happy with the partnership of new boys John Carew and Ashley Young but says it is too early to draw any conclusions. He said 'I am delighted with both of them, John and Ashley. I am delighted they have played well. It was important for us to go and get a bit of quality in January. For every reason under the sun, the whole squad was crying out for it. The very fact they've come in and done so well together is encouraging. But I am surprised people draw conclusions about things so quickly. Full article: Click Here

Martin O'Neill is still considering the Inter Two Bob Cup but is tempted to say Villa won't enter the competition as the team could be going Stateside. Jeez, hope I can win the lottery, would love to have my first visit to America to coincide with some Villa matches. Lucky balls, all I need are some lucky balls...... NO COMMENTS thank you very much! Full article: Click Here

Thought for the day: Families are like fudge...mostly sweet, with a few nuts.

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