The Villa Times - 31/03/2009

Unoial Villa News...

Sultana Sports have Villa linked with Alvaro Negredo. The striker is currently at Almeria and has scored 16 goals in 33 games. Real Madrid hold the option to buy back the 23-year-old for £5million but Villa are also said to be keeping tabs on the player. Almeria boss Sanchez told As: 'I must tell Almeria fans to make the most of Negredo because unfortunately I think that he will not stay here for long.'

Tickets are still available for Villa's away trip to Manchester United this weekend. They are currently available to supporters with an away booking history in either the 2007-08 or 2008-09 seasons. But, from noon today (Tuesday), they will be available to supporters with a booking history. The game takes place on Sunday April 5, with a 4pm kick-off. The deadline for sales for this fixture is 12pm on Friday April 3. After this period, it will not be possible to purchase tickets from Villa Park. Prices £39.26 - £40.23 (adults) £22.13 - £22.62 (over-65s) £14.79 (under-16s) To get hold of your tickets, get down the Ticket Office at Villa Park or contact 0800 612 0970.

Setanta also linked us with 28-year-old midfielder Maxi Rodriguez. His current contract with Atletico Madrid ends in 2010 and setanta.com say we are amongst a host of clubs interested in the Argentina international who is apparently rated at £14million. Atletico sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch said "At the moment we are yet to receive an offer for Maxi.' The player himself refused to speculate.

Alan Wright told the official site that Villa are improving. 'Villa have been flying and doing fantastically well this season. When that happens, expectations get raised but maybe people are expecting too much too soon. You can get a little carried away. Saying that, there's still plenty of games coming and if Villa can give it a big push, they can still finish in that top four and get a Champions League spot. But even if they don't achieve that this season, great progress is being made at the club. We must not forget that.'

Ashley Young has been sticking up for his teammate Gabby Agbonlahor backing the Villa striker to end his drought. However if you look at his three seasons as a front line striker, there is little or no improvement over that time. Frustrating! Full quotes and stats: Room For Improvement From Gabby Agbonlahor

Villa reserves lost only their second game this season having taken the lead - they ended up losing 2-1

Gareth Barry is hoping to be able to play top level football for England and in the Champions League. I must admit I can't argue with a word he said but have to question the need for repeating what everyone knows already? Surely this only fans the flames of those that took afront to his comments in the press last summer? Would be much better to just focus on ending the season as high as he can with Villa and then see what happens wouldn't it? Just hoping and praying we finish in the top four, I'd hate to see him leave! Full article: Gareth Barry Looking To Play Top Level Footie

The Everton kick off time has been changed to 2pm so that the players have more time to enjoy their pre-match pies. Only one part of that sentence is true and it isn't the pie bit! Everton Kick Off Time Changed

It has been confirmed that Emile Heskey has been withdrawn from the England squad due to a hamstring injury.

The Holte Suite is next up for the 'Randy treatment' as a multi million pound refurbishment is planned. For images and info, Holte Suite Next To Get The 'Randy Treatment'

Simeon Hartwell follows up last weeks 'so where do we go from here?' with his latest on the manager. Full article: Martin O'Neill: Aston Villa Manager

The England injury run has continued, this time Spurs striker Darren Bent, called in as a replacement for Emile Heskey who picked up yet another hamstring injury after scoring for England at the weekend, has limped out of training. Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has been called up ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine. Gabby had to withdraw from the U21 squad last week as a precautionary measure after suffering a hamstring injury. A fit Michael Owen is available and Capello calls up a striker suffering a goal drought? Ok!

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