The Villa Times - 27/01/2006

Unoial Villa News...

Kevin Phillips has been dealt a blow after admitting that his ankle problem will have to be 'managed' as it will never fully recover. 'It's still not 100% and it's one of those I'm going to have to manage from now until the time I retire.' Full story: Click Here

Villa sales director Stuart Ryan says 'there's been a lot of interest' from potential shirt sponsors after DWS Investments announced they wouldn't be extending their deal. Click Here

Villa have announced that sport manufacturer Hummel will continuing supplying the claret and blue kits for the next two years. There was dancing in the streets of Aston when this was announced.

David O'Leary has rubbished talk of Eric Djemba-Djemba leaving Villa on loan to a Spanish club. However the player himself is adamant that he wants out. But O'Leary said: 'The Eric Djemba-Djemba stuff just isn't true.' Jumper Jumper says: 'There is no doubt I will move to Spain after the African Cup of Nations. At Aston Villa I have found a coach who hasn't understood all the smoothness of French football.' Full story: Click Here

Interim results show that attendances are down (which is amazing as O'Leary keeps telling us about the attacking football he players) turnover is DOWN to £17.7m from £19million in 2004, the operating loss is UP to £9.4million from £8.8million in 2004 and Villa's net cash from operating activities of £2.0m DOWN from 2004's £4.2million. All in all great interim results for Villa with the Trust and Shareholders Association both condemning the results. Shareholders Reaction, Trust reaction and a typical spleen venting from me! The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

Ulises de la Cruz has said he wants out and that he should be given a free or cheap transfer. O'Leary has said he has had no offers for the player and hasn't put a price on the player.

Villa have been linked with young Kilmarnock striker Stevie Naismith. Ian Broomfield, Villa's chief scout, was apparently at Rugby Park on Saturday to watch the 19-year-old Full story:Click Here

Kevin Phillips scored twice in the reserves win against Manchester City taking his tally to three goals in two reserve meetings (he scored the week before against Birmingham City).

We asked in a poll who your favourite strike pairing was. 54% said Phillips and Baros, Phillips/Angel only got 5% which was 10% less than Hercules and Bella the club mascots got! Angel and Baros got 22% and Baros/Moore 2%, Moore/Phillips 4%.

Steven Davis who was made the first winner of the Belfast Telegraph's George Best Breakthrough Award. The Aston Villa and Northern Ireland midfielder was presented the prize by George Best's son Calum. Full story: Click Here

Olof Mellberg says Gareth Barry's second yellow card against West Ham United was harsh. The Villa skipper said: 'I thought Gareth's sending-off was harsh. I thought the referee was going to give a booking for diving. I don't know whether he caught him or not, but it didn't look that bad from where I was standing.'

Good news on the Martin Laursen front! The Aston Villa defender, who joined from AC Milan for £3million, says that he is on track to be ready for the start of pre-season training and says he will be 'stronger than ever'. Full story: Click Here

The board of Aston Villa have finally put the club in the hands of a merchant bank. Rothschild's have been hired to find suitable investors for the club. Full story: Click Here

Wayne Henderson finally sealed his move to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Thought for the day: It's frustrating when you know all the answers, but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.