The Villa Times - 10/07/2010

Unoial Villa News...

Win Richard Ashcroft, (RPA & The United Nations of Sound) cds with Vital Villa: Click Here

Robbie Keane and Fabio Aurelio linked. Full transfer gossip: Brazilian Free Agent Linked + Transfer Talk

Vital Villa asked in our last poll, with the press gossip hotting up that Villa will take cash + a player exchange from Manchester City for James Milner , Milner for Ireland/Onuoha + £15m? Deal?!? Results: Good Deal + Who Would You LEAST To Depart

Our latest poll asks which of the 'three' would you LEAST like to see leave Villa, Gabby, Ash or Milner.

2010/11 season will be unveiled on Thursday July 15th at an open air event, Centenary Square at The ICC Birmingham The official site say that several first team players will appear on a catwalk to show the new kits... bet they'll love that! Full details: Home & Away Kit Launch Thursday 15 July

Wadey: Beautiful losers - ugly winners? So, with a sense of relief that our patriotic suffering faded faster than an England flag bleaching in the sun, its time to pack up our troubles in the old Villa shoe-bag (£5 from Villa Direct) and accept that the World Cup party is over, and we just have to slow-dance our way through the final moments, see the cake being cut, and leave the hosts to clean up the mess and pick up the tab. Full article: Something For The Weekend (290)

Don't forget you can still do a Vital Villa summer interview, here is mine: Vital Villa Summer Interview: The Fear

Fieldy: Martin O'Neill is confident the team will hit the ground running as preparations for the new season began. preparations for the new season began today. Speaking on the Official Site following the first training sessions of the new season O'Neill was pleased with what he saw from the players in attendance - obviously those on World Cup duty have been given extra time off to have a break - and he is looking forward to the league opener against West Ham as well as our two leg Europa League play off. 'First of all, I think the most important thing is the kick off itself.' Full quotes: O'Neill: We Will Hit The Ground Running

First day of training images: Click Here

Fieldy: Stiliyan Petrov on the day he returns to training. Following on from his comments about Richard Dunne, Laursen turned his attention to our new captain and restated some earlier thoughts about him. Click Here for full article. With a refreshed and in some cases renewed Gabby, Ash, and Downing looking to terrorise defences next season, Laursen thinks that Petrov playing the anchor role will be key to their success. 'Stiliyan played a lot of games last season and he was important for the team in all of them. He is the captain and he is acting like the captain.' Full article: Petrov Key For Villa

Fieldy: Such a strange headline, and quite frankly I'd have ignored it unless the man had really said it himself...that said I wouldn't go quite that far... Laursen: Dunne Is Better Than Me

80% say they would extend the contract of Big John Carew... hmmm?! Full details: 80% Would Extend John Carew's Contract

Martin O'Neill, much like the octopus (!), has tipped Spain to win.... www.avfc.co.uk
And Carlos Cuellar is praying for a Spain win: www.avfc.co.uk

Not sure this is really new information but a report by Tim Gray in The Daily Star claims Martin O'Neill has accepted the fact that James Milner wants out and so will do a deal as long as it involves Manchester City players in exchange. The report says both Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha + £15million in cold, hard cash will be the asking price. + Scott Parker link: Mega Deal For Villa + Scott Parker? Press Links

What a massive loss to the UK. David O'Leary... idolised by Leeds United and Villa fans alike, has left the country for a job (and taken Roy Aitkin with him, after Roy left Blues to re-join DOL): Full article by Murph: Former Villa Boss Says Goodubai to the UK

Fieldy: Emile Heskey strongly believes that Nathan Delfouneso will make the grade for England and will become a household name during the U19 European Championships. Speaking to Sky Sports News Heskey said that he thinks it's time for Delboy to shine and really stake a claim for a first team spot at the Villa this season. Full article: Heskey Backs Delboy To Make An Impact

Fixture changes for TV + police requests: Click Here

Fieldy: Emile Heskey believes that Villa would provide a great backbone for England as Capello looks to rebuild. Speaking on the Official Site Heskey referenced the core of young, English players at the club that could well figure for England as we head towards the European Championships. 'As well as James, there's English players in Downing, Young and Agbonlahor.'
Emile doesn't think that it will be all change under Capello now, the whole team won't be scrapped (sadly), but there will be plenty of room for the next generation with only a few key experienced players left to ease them in. Full article: England's Bright Claret and Blue Future

Valencia tickets on sale + GREAT hospitality offer (seriously, this is top notch!) Click Here

Fieldy: Steve Froggatt is becoming a regular on the Official Site these days, and today his topic of interest is Gabby Agbonlahor. Our former left winger believes that next season we will see even more improvement from Gabby, but given how he worked over last season to bulk up, Froggatt expects he will have used his England disappointment as motivation to work on other parts of his game this summer. Full article: Froggy On Gab

astvil123 asks: IF Milner Goes - Who Should Replace Him?

The latest Villa viral video, this time Ashley Young: Ashley Young - Blindfolded And Still Brilliant!

Thought for the day: I might not be able to do a Villa Times for a while, I've stolen a lot of swimming inflatables and will have to lilo for a while.... boom boom!

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