Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: J P Fear 
Date:Saturday September 4 2010
Time: 10:55AM
UK time is: 03:58:51
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Stephen Ireland Should Be Fit For Stoke
Mathew of the Kendrick has a report in the Birmingham Mail saying that Stephen Ireland should be fit to return on Monday 13th for Villa away at Stoke.
Ireland, who has had a baptism of fire since joining Villa (two games, 9 goals conceded!) had a hamstring worry whilst warming up v Everton but it looks like all is well now.
The report also has Gabby Agbonlahor quoted with reference to our new midfielder:
'Stephen Ireland is getting a good relationship with some of the players.'
Adding that we are yet to see the best of the player 'But what I`ve seen in training is that he`s been one of the top trainers. He can add a lot to the squad. If you look at him he can score goals and he`s one of the fittest players you`ll see, getting up and down the field, so it`s looking good for Villa with him playing.'
High hopes for the lad I must admit!
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Your Comments
Going to be a star for Villa I think.
The Fear
We have been crying out for goals from Mid Field every since we lost JM lol
mattyh1986
Totally agree with krfeskivilla. Ireland can do it where Ash has been playing but not at the expense of NRC. Stoke play a hard game and like most EPL teams will try to overrun a midfield with only one holding player. KMac or whoever will have noticed this and I think we can expect a tight game with Ash being subbed for Ireland at some point given Supermans tight hamstring last game. 3-0 Villa.
koolbill
totally agree with you krfeskivilla, 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1 with Ireland linking the attack to the midfield, and NRC and Petrov holding midfielders. I'd have Ash on the left (his best position), and Albrighton on the right.... keep Downing ready just in case we need to change things around a bit, but i actually see Downing playing in the centre too... maybe rotate with Ireland?
thorpyuk
4-2-3-1 is the future of Villa. Petrov and NRC as the holding midfielders, behind Albrighton-Ireland-Young, with Gabby up top. Pure class on the front six and back six!
All Hail MON
Error in last post-4-1-4-1 or any other defensive formation will work (in theory) against attacking sides. When Villa are up against defensive sides like (presumably) Stoke, then wingers (Young, Albrighton) are needed because the opposition will probably play virtually everyone behind the ball or flood the centre of the field. Ireland is (potentially) the linkman between defense and midfield, true. However, rate nearly all Villa's attacking midfield players as better goalscorers than the forwards (Agbonlahor is the one exception). At seasons end would hazard a guess that the clubs top scorer is a midfielder.
VillaWillRiseAgain
Well, all I can say is that every City manager since Sven (and god knows we've had a few!) always pointed out that Ireland was the best player in training. Unfortunately, that form was not always replicated on the pitch, as witnessed by his abysmall vanishing acts over the last 18 months of his City career. If you can get him to produce on the pitch what he does in training, then you're onto a good thing. If not, prepare to be as disappointed as we were!
fifthcolumnblue
interesting points fifthcolumnblue, I guess (?) that also the age of the player has to be taken into account, these youngsters are going to have their times when they go missing and us as fans aren't as patient as we should be whilst they learn their trade in the full glare of PL footie? Hopefully no disappointments due here but your points duly noted!
The Fear
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