The Week In Villa #44 (19/6/09 - 25/6/09)

Friday, 19th June

Paul Scharner apparently rules out a move to Villa as he wants to play in midfield. Say what you like about MON`s square peg/round hole policy but the bottom line is if he isn`t willing to play where he is told then I think we are better off without him anyway. In all fairness, he`d only be a squad player anyway. Not that we don`t need a beefing up of the squad, but I`m more interested in top quality players that can improve the best XI.

We are linked to Sol Campbell. He wouldn`t be a bad signing as he is on a free and has a wealth of experience, but I don`t think any of us see him as a direct replacement for Laursen.

16 year-old Courtney Cameron arrives from Northampton, joining Samir Carruthers from Arsenal as hopeful stars for the future that have arrived… how about some stars for now coming too?!

Saturday, 20th June

The general consensus seems to be that David Wheater is staying at 'Boro. He`s not a bad player at all but again, is he the man to replace Laursen?

Barcelona are linked with a move for Ashley Young but I just don`t see him going anywhere this summer. In fact apart from fringe players I don`t think anyone else will leave.

Sunday, 21st June

Barry Bannan is linked with another loan move to Derby. Personally I think he has the potential to contribute for us next season. However, in terms of his development it may well be better for us if he spends a year on loan at a Championship club.

Today we have been linked with a few familiar names and a couple of new(ish!) ones: Michael Owen, Kyle Naughton, Jurado, Royston Drenthe, David Wheater, Miguel, Aruna Dindane, Sol Campbell and Chris McCann.

Nigel Reo-Coker is linked with a move to Spurs. Well, we hadn`t been linked to a Spurs player or vice versa for a couple of days, so…

Monday, 22nd June

Craig Gardner puts in a very good performance for England U-21`s in the final group game, a 1-1 draw with Germany.

There are rumours that Standard Liege have turned down a bid from Everton for Steven Defour. Hopefully one from us will be accepted any day now…!

Tuesday, 23rd June

Today, Stuart Taylor joined Gareth Barry at Man Citeh. This leads to panic attacks for some of our less rational fans due to us making the squad even smaller. Personally, I think losing a 3rd choice goalkeeper who signed for us in 2005 but only started 14 games and made 3 substitute appearances during them 4 years really isn`t anything to get upset about.

Stilian Petrov speaks highly of Emile Heskey and backs him to 'come good` for us next season. Personally I don`t think he has been as bad for us as some people make out, but I too would hope for a bit more from him in 09/10.

Wednesday, 24th June

Today we are linked with Eidur Gudjohnsen. I`d like to see him come to Villa as he offers something a little different to what we already have. We are also linked with Kyle Naughton again.

Reports suggest that we have no interest in selling Craig Gardner. This is good news in my opinion. I do not say that just because we need to add to the squad, but because I think he is a good player who could be a regular for us for years to come.

Thursday, 25th June

John Carew joins Petrov in talking up Heskey, and Nicky Shorey backs Freddie Bouma to get fit and return to action. Aren`t we a friendly bunch?

One website reports that Spurs have accepted bids from us, Sunderland and Everton for Tom Huddlestone. No-one else does though, so I assume it`s nonsense.

Deadly Doug says lots of positive things about the future of the club. It`s nice to know he is still lucid enough to give that kind of interview!

That`s all then. By the next 'Week in Villa`, July 1st will have arrived. Some people seem to think we`ll be announcing multiple signings that day. I fear they will be disappointed; however we have to hope there will be some incoming movement this week! Up the Villa!

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