The Villa Times - 29/10/2010

Unoial Villa News...

So here we go, the dreaded/looked forward to/hated/loved local derby v Blues! Lawro has sat on the fence this week. The BBC pundit says 1-1 Mystic and more: Click Here

Steve Wade: Striker light! I don't know about the denizens of the Holte End but I am partial to a bit of Shakespeare myself. But like it or not, I didn't expect to see Villa play the Macbeth (known as the Scottish play) formation on Wednesday night, and was left rather relieved that the witches' brew on view did not turn out to be the tragedy, it so often looked likely to be, through a gruelling 120 minutes of nervous League Cup torment. Full column: Something For The Weekend (305)

No real surprises to read a report by James Nursey in The Mirror is saying we are seeing the end of the John Carew spell at Aston Villa. The report says that Gerard Houllier will allow Carew to leave and also links us again, as we reported yesterday, with Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz which didn`t exactly go down swimmingly in the forum. Full details: No New Contract For John Carew?

Vital Villa asked what you would do with John Carew. He's out of here.. sell in Jan! 72% Renew his contract 19% Let go in the summer 5% Unsure 4%

Our latest poll is the win/lose/draw predictions for Villa v Blues.

Villa v Blues build up, Luke Young and John Carew are both fit, Petrov and Gabby aren`t: Carew & Young Back - Gabby Out For Blues

Hercs in the dressing room pre- Blues: Click Here

Fieldy: Gerard Houllier has confirmed that Brad Friedel will be offered an extension to his contract and will have ample opportunity to turn out for Villa as he passes 40 years of age. In a quoted interview covered by the Daily Mail Houllier confirmed that Brad would be offered a deal at the end of the season that would see him join a very select few players who have played in the Premiership aged 40. Full details: Friedel To Get 40 Contract?

I wasn't sure if the suites and bars would be open before the Blues game on Sunday so have got clarification on the matter: 'All public bars are open at 9am on Sunday but no beer until 10.00am to be served but come on down and get your seats!' So there you go.

And the man of the match v Burnley was: Click Here

Fieldy: Villa's second string clash with Chelsea has been switched owing to the first team fixture change for Liverpool. The away reserve clash against Chelsea was originally scheduled for Monday 6 December, but will now take place at Chelsea's Cobham Training Ground on Wednesday 19 January, 2011. The match will kick off at 2.05pm and will have the normal Villa coverage service. The change has been made owing to our away first team fixture with Liverpool being moved to December 6.

Ha, we are at the stage where people aren`t reading anymore so I can let you know, I have a new limited edition Dyson vacuum and some new towels. Cool!

Fieldy: Ciaran Clark has hailed the mental spirit of the team for effectively having to cope with beating Burnley twice. In his after match interview on the Official Site Clark admitted the whole team were devastated when Burnley grabbed their last minute equiliser to push the game into extra time, but he thinks it shows the mental strength of the team that they could put that blow behind them and make another mark on the game. 'It was a tough game, especially when it went into extra time. They scored and the initial reaction was being gutted. I thought we did really well (after that), pulled together as a team and showed some great spirit. We did really well in the end, we showed character to bounce back from that setback at the end.' Full article: Clarkie Hails Mental Strength

Stewart Downing has said that he was delighted to get the winning goal in the clash against Burnley. Speaking on the Official Site after having a well earnt sleep for our extra time excursions, Stewart Downing was delighted with his winning goal and the fact that the team battled on to pass through to the next round of the Carling Cup. 'I was delighted with the goal, and the timing of it too. It was a frustrating night for long periods, we missed a few chances and I thought it was going to be one of those nights where penalties decided it.' Full article: Downing Delighted With Winning Goal

And some new wardrobes....

Steve Sidwell has said he was proud of the way the squad 'dug deep' against Burnley and the game was a classic Cup encounter. Speaking on the Official Site Sidwell praised the work ethic and the determination of the team to secure progression into the next round of the Cup especially as Burnley were not making it easy with how they approached the game. 'We knew the longer the game went on, the tougher it would be. It was a traditional cup tie and we knew it was vital to dig deep to get the result we needed. We knew they'd throw everything at us, and that's what they did.' Full quotes: Sidwell On Classic Cup Tie

Not to mention a new sofa.

Villa v Burnley match report by Big Marlon: Click Here

Hercs in the dressing room post Burnley: Click Here

Previous Villa times with Burnley match stats, post manager reaction, Hercs, my match report and sooo much more! Click Here

Thought for the day: One hundred percent of the shots you don't take don't go in. - Wayne Gretzky

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