The Villa Times - 17/02/2009

Unoial Villa News...

Brought to you by an old git who is 40 today!

Martin O'Neill says it is crucial that Villa bounce back this week. He told the Sun: 'It`s absolutely vital that we put Everton behind us and concentrate on games coming thick and fast. We have another two massive games. There`s no way we can let one setback knock us for the other things we have been fighting so hard for. You can start in three competitions and in a couple of weeks time only be left in one. The Premier League is the Holy Grail but we started out on our European campaign in July as we had to qualify.'

According to the Mirror today Aston Villa will make another £8m transfer bid for Manchester City defender Micah Richards in the summer. No quotes, probably no substance, who knows?! At this stage of the season, who cares?!

Craig Gardner has spoken to the official site about tomorrow's game v CSKA Moscow and says the fans have a massive role to play. He told AVTV: 'We need to play well and use the home tie to our advantage. We need our fans to get right behind the lads and sing their hearts out throughout the game - and make it a special occasion. We want a real cauldron of noise. Hopefully that will help us get the right result.' He admits it is a massive game and says confidence is still 'sky high' with the players.

I didn't realise this but just read Steve Sidwell is suspended for the CSKA Moscow game on Wednesday night. Apparently he has to serve a one-game suspension after his sending off against SV Hamburg in Germany.

avfc48 says: Confidence is the key. Not only did we win at Blackburn, not only did we reach a new record of away victories, not only did we move ahead of Chelsea, we did it with some style. Full article: Confidence Is The Key For Villa

Vital Villa asked for your man of the match against Blackburn Rovers. No real surprise I don't think that James Milner walked it with 65% of the vote, although I must admit I'd have had Zat Knight not far behind him! Full results: Villa's Man Of The Match v Blackburn

Liverpool boss and long term Gareth Barry fan (!) Rafa Benitez says that Villa are the real deal and are in the scrap for the league. The Reds boss says you can't write off Villa so the league isn't a two horse race between Liverpool and Manchester United yet. Must admit I think it is already a one horse race, once Man Utd get their noses ahead, they seldom mess up, but hey, we can but hope! Full quotes: Liverpool Boss Says Villa Are In Title Race

Martin O'Neill spoke last week about the importance of maintaining our form and also how crucial the FA Cup tie v Everton might be..... Well now we are out, I guess we'll see just how crucial, hopefully it will work in our favour (and no, I don't really believe that but if I say it enough times maybe I will !!!) Certainly the next two games, Moscow and Chelsea, are now pivotal. Fingers crossed! Full article: MON Warns This Is Crucial Part Of Season

Fancy an evening with Paul Merson at Villa Park to raise funds for Birchy? Well look no further: An Evening With Merse To Raise Birchy Funds

Reports last week ( Delfouneso To Fly Like An Eagle? ) in the Croydon Advertiser claimed that Crystal Palace were eying a loan move for Villa's young striker star Nathan Delfouneso. However it looks like the young star will be staying at Villa according to reports that followed.

Martin O'Neill stated his anger that Emile Heskey was played by England coach Capello whilst injured which ruled him out of our FA Cup clash v Everton. O'Neill's England Anger

Vital Villan: Freddy Bouma aims to play 90 minutes on Monday for our reserves against Arsenal. The Dutch international is hoping to step up his fitness and continue his recovery from a dislocated ankle with a regular run in the reserves, and the physios are content to let him start that run at Hinckley. Speaking to the E&S, O'Neill said: 'We`ve got a game on Monday night against Arsenal in the reserves and he`s hoping he could complete the 90 minutes, which he hasn`t been able to do so far. He`s doing fine. Physically he`s getting stronger which is great.' There is no timescale for a return to the first team, but as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks during his spell in the reserves, I guess Freddy would be expected to be in contention by at least the end of March.

That was the week that was by Sheriff Kimbo: The Week In Villa #25 (6/02/09 - 12/2/09)

Everton v Villa stats: Click Here
My match report: Click Here
Glensider at Goodison Park: Click Here
Martin O'Neill's post match reaction: Click Here

Vital Villan: Speaking to the Birmingham Mail, O'Neill responded to Moyes' claims that Petrov should've seen red over the handball incident by saying Everton can't have it both ways. 'You can`t get a sending-off and then get the goal - that`s not the rules. The referee played the advantage for the goal to be put in the net so once they get the goal then the second decision doesn`t count. If he`d have not played the advantage it would have been a penalty kick and a sending-off offence.' Full quotes: Does This Clear It Up?

Thought for the day: 'My mechanic told me, I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.'

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