The Villa Times - 20/09/2010

Unoial Villa News...

Vital Villa have two copies of the new and updated book Aston Villa - The Complete Record... by Rob Bishop and Frank Holt to be won. How to win: Click Here

Some gossip surrounding Villa (Owen not to us!) and ex Villa (Martin O'Neill to Liverpool?!) Villa And Ex Villa Gossip?! Owen & Martin O'Neill

Video on Owen: Click Here

John Carew said in The People that he hopes to push for another chance from his new (and former ... at Lyon) boss Gerard Houllier. 'My mission is to work hard day to day to make the starting XI at Aston Villa. I do not have problems with the coach. What is done is done and I accept it. My exit from Lyon is in the past. Now I am only interested in the present - and I think I will have a chance to play.'' Score goals and look interested, I'm sure you'll get your chance then.

Talking about strikers, Sir Alex Chewalot says that Houllier will be wasting his time if he tries to get Michael Owen in the January transfer window. 'He's wasting his time there. I understand Michael's frustration - he's exactly right - but it's because Berbatov started the season so well, then the international break came. It's difficult. We've got this Carling Cup game on Wednesday and he'll start that. He'll get enough football, Michael. It's just the early season with the internationals that disrupt you - there are four games over two two-week spells now since the start of the season. I agree he probably thinks it's passing him by but he's doing well in training, never misses a session. I brought him on for the last 20 minutes the other night but I could have brought on three centre-forwards and we would not have made a chance the way Rangers set out.'

randy.stand: Just like to say this about Kevin MacDonald. For the past decade I have known Kevin MacDonald as Villas reserve manager. A reserve team which has won many many titles in the last decade with him in charge. He has helped along the process of bringing through talent like Gabriel Agbonlahor, Gary Cahill, Liam Ridgewell, Steven Davis, Gareth Barry, Mark Delaney etc etc. He has been highly successful and all of the young lads and now established stars can't speak any more highly of him. Full article: Villa Fan Says Thanks To Kevin MacDonald

Bolton coverage:

Stats: Click Here
Match Report: Villa v Bolton (Sort of) Report + RIP Bolton Fan
Big Mac post match: Click Here

The talk of a Villa anthem continues.... The Aston Villa Anthem.... The Debate Continues

Fieldy: Gerard Houllier may have a central defence headache come Blackburn as it's unlikely Richard Dunne will be available for the Cup clash. BigMacs Final First Team Act - An Injury Update

Fieldy: Brad Friedel has insisted that Gerard Houllier will have a very positive effect on all aspects of the club now that he's official in charge. Full article: Friedel Backs Houllier To Revolutionise Club

Fieldy: Whilst most think Houllier will revolutionise the club off the pitch, Stevie Ireland definitely agrees with the evolution theory on it. Speaking to the Official Site (they have been busy today!) Stevie said he was looking forward to working under Houllier but more importantly that he was glad that the new manager and players will have until Christmas to work together properly before the 'new manager signings' can take place. He believes it will help get the best out of the players currently, and really allow Houllier the time to assess the squad's strengths and weaknesses properly before bolstering the squad in the January transfer window. Full article: Ireland Supports New Managers Mantra

Murph: Gerard Houllier has announced his Aston Villa backroom team, welcoming a number of new faces, and promoting an all too familiar one! The first, most linked, and most obvious announcement is that former Leeds United manager Gary McAllister has joined the club as assistant manager. Gary Mac had previously been first team coach under Gordon Strachan at the Scottish Annexe of the North-East of England. Full details: Aston Villa Backroom Team Named

Fieldy: Welcome to our new first team goalkeeping coach, Kevin MacDonald for a start is delighted to see Rafa make the step up permanently for the Hoooooolie years. Speaking to the Official Site BigMac was thoroughly delighted to see Rafa make the move up and pointed to some of the top class saves that Friedel has been pulling off lately as a sign of the potential and influence Gonzalez has had since stepping up following the recent managerial and backroom staff exodus at the club. Full article: Rafa Gonzalez - Who Knew?

Apparently, when the press asked Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor if he was happy with the appointment of Gerard Houllier and his cv, Gabby said: 'Next question.' He was pressed and answered: Gabby And Team Out To Impress New Boss

The great where are the fans attendance debate has been raised again in our forum. randy.stand kicked it off saying: 'The attendances are looking worrying at Villa Park at the moment. 35k for each three games vs West Ham, Everton & Bolton so far. That's with £10 tickets being on offer for the last two home fixtures. I know the MON leaving thing hasn't helped and perhaps with GH attendances will improve but apparently for Wednesdays game against Blackburn, 13k have been sold so far. That is really really poor. Why is it? I know money is tight for a lot of people but so it was last season. I really hope the attendances at Villa Park improve. Attendances were really impressive only a couple of seasons ago. It's something we need to get to again. It's a massive club in the second city of the country. We have a big fan base and should be pulling In more than what we are at the moment.' full debate: VILLA FANS... Where Are You?!?

Thought for the day: My doctor referred me to a shrhink because of my mental state, the shrink said 'so you say that you think you're a traffic light?' I replied, 'let me stop you there...'

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