The Week In Villa #31 (20/3/09 - 26/3/09)

Friday, 20th March

MON confirms that there is interest 'from Wolves amongst other clubs` regarding a loan move for Marlon.

Saturday, 21st March

Predictably, the day before Anfield means there is lots of talk about Gareth Barry moving there in the summer. I fear that unless we pull something out the bag & regain 4th place come the end of the season, then he probably will be off. I really hope not, though.

Sunday, 22nd March

Liverpool 5 - 0 Villa. Not the best afternoon, was it? The only thing I can say is, the game was never a '5-0` type of game. Four of the five goals were a result of set-pieces, and for large parts of the first half it relatively even.

I said before the game though, like I seem to be saying before most of our games, that we should not play 4-4-2. I take absolutely no pleasure in once again saying I feel that I was proven right. Not even one slight bit of pleasure; just lots of frustration.

Monday, 23rd March

Not withstanding the obvious aftermath of the game, there was good news in the shape of Freddie Bouma playing 90 minutes for the reserves - and he set up the winner, too. Superb! Academy-level goal-machine James Collins added to his tally for the season with a goal for the reserves, which was the only goal in a 1-0 over Stoke.

Also, Marlon moved to Wolves on loan. I daresay that we have seen the last of Marlon Harewood in a Villa shirt. Hugely likeable character, but just not good enough this season, having set fairly high standards for himself as an impact substitute the season before.

Tuesday, 24th March

Brad Friedel gets his harsh red-card at Anfield rightfully rescinded, and will be available for the Manchester United match.

The Academy lad beat Ipswich 4-2, with James Collins grabbing his 25th of the season - made even more impressive by the fact that he scored for the reserves the night before. Andreas Steiber, Dominick Hofbauer and Andreas Weimann got the other goals; three young British talents there! Er…..!

Wednesday, 25th March

Internationals are coming and our news is getting lighter. Brad Friedel says Gareth Barry is world-class, Martin Laursen is being coy over his return and referees are perplexed over the decision to rescind the aforementioned Friedel`s red card.

As for the internationals, Stuart Pearce says that Gabby will be mentally stronger after being dropped against Liverpool, and Nathan Delfounso represents England U-19`s in a 0-0 draw with the Czech Republic.

Thursday, 26th March

Gabby pulls out of the England U-21 squad with a slight hamstring injury. I`m genuinely surprised he has not suffered more with that so far, given the speed in which he sprints.

Steven Defour, who we have been linked with a few times, talks up a move to Villa. I don`t know a lot about him, but everyone who talks about him seems to rate him highly. With him usually described as being a creative midfielder, then maybe he is the type of player I have been calling for us to sign.

So that`s your lot folks. International football awaits us. Zzzzzzzzzzzz….

For the very latest Premier League odds

Free £15 bet when you spend £5 on The New Football Pools

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