The Villa Times 12/04/2007

Unoial Villa News...

The Mirror claim that Villa are chasing WBA £6million rated striker Diomansy Kamara who is also wanted by Reading. The Senegal international has 22 goals this season for the Baggies. His agent Fabrizio Ferrari is quoted in the paper saying: 'There has been a great deal of Premiership interest in Diomansy.'

Patrik Berger says the future is bright, the future is claret and blue. Berger, who was looking like a Villa reject only a month ago, could now secure a new contract after impressing since his return from exile, well, Stoke at least, same thing really? The former Czech Republic international said: 'In my opinion this club will be challenging for a spot in Europe next season. I think it's really going places.' Full quotes: Click Here

Sky Sports say Aston Villa, Manchester United and Middlesbrough are all keen on signing Spartak Moscow youngster Vladimir Bystrov. I'm sure the 23-year-old winger was linked a few weeks ago as well. Anyway, the player said: 'I've heard that a few English clubs showed an interest in me but it'll be better to ask my agent about it. My contract with Spartak includes a point that allows me to go to another club if a customer will pay a definite sum for me. I didn't think about the possibility to move. But this could be a great chance, I don't think that it'll be worse than staying here.' Spartak director Sergei Shavlo told Sport Express: 'Nobody from England asked us about Bystrov. Spartak isn't planning to sell Bystrov.' Great story that wasn't it?!

Martin O'Neill has 'a lot of time' for 20-year-old Villa midfielder Craig Gardner whose future he says is bright AND at Villa! 'My own view is that Craig has been a bit unlucky this season. He got into the side and then he got injured but he, most definitely, has a future here at Villa. Most definitely.' Full article: Click Here

Villa fans will be able to wrap up for the last home game of the season against Sheffield United as the club have decided to give every single fan who attends a free scarf. The scarf will have the new club crest on. What a great way to introduce it to us fans! Sounds a cool idea to me, especially as this will give the fans something to hold up when the team of 82 parade around the pitch in part of the European Cup 25th anniversary celebrations. 5000 tickets are also available for a fiver for season ticket holders. Full details: Click Here

Vital Villa asked should McCann and Mellberg be offered new contracts? Results: Yes, both of them 21%. No, neither of them 11%. Olof Mellberg only 66%. Gavin McCann only 1%.
Unsure 1%. Bit of a thumbs down for Gavin McCann, although I must admit as a squad player, we are surely better to keep him for another season or so as long as we are also adding quality in midfield?

Wilfred Bouma and Gary Cahill are both fit for this weekends game away to Middlesbrough but reports today suggest John Carew is unlikely to be fit in time and he is expected to miss his third game due to a calf problem. Martin O'Neill said: 'John's improving all the time and we will see how he is tomorrow. Saturday will probably come too early for him, but we're hoping he'll be available for the Portsmouth game. It has been a blow to lose him, but it's pleasing to have taken four points from six in his absence. The players have responded very well.'

Mark Lawrenson has fallen in love with Villa as he has backed us to win for the third time in a row (also backed us rightly v Blackburn and wrongly v Wigan). The bbc pundit says 2-1 to Villa adding: 'Aston Villa have picked up a little bit of late and it was a good away win at Blackburn. They are virtually safe now. They have no pressure and, as Middlesbrough are having a stuttering end to the season, I'm going for Villa.' Mystic Mug, says 1-0 to Villa.

Martin O'Neill has backed the idea of moving away fans from behind the goal in the North Stand and replacing them with the claret and blue faithful. He said: 'That is what we are hoping for. My own belief that behind both goals has been historically and traditionally areas where home fans want to be. That is what I want to do. I think it would be good. I just think it would be better. As a home team you should be able to dictate where you want your home fans. I personally would prefer it because I am always surprised when the area behind the goal is given up for away fans.'

Villa are currently second in the fair play league behind Spurs. If we win we'll get £30 000 and a 1 in 5 chance of Uefa Cup football. Full article: Click Here

Thomas Sorensen says he isn't interested in contract talks at the moment despite having only just over 12 months left on his current deal. He says 'Contract talks are not really my focus now. It's about getting the points on the board for Aston Villa and then we'll take things from there. I've been very pleased with my form but again it has been a bit frustrating not seeing it mature into results. The most important thing for me is that we perform well as a team. But I am 30 now and the next three or four years will hopefully be the best time of my career. It is the right time to peak.'

Puke inducing thought for the day: We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colours... but they all have to learn to live in the same box. ;-))

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