The Villa Times - 07/02/2006

Aston Villa are reportedly keeping tabs on Preston North End fullback Tyrone Mears. Villa scouts have apparently watched him at Deepdale on several occasions. The 22-year old, who was a trainee at Manchester City, extended his contract with Preston last summer.

We are asking in our poll who you would pick up front at the weekend following David O'Leary admitting that Milan Baros should be fit. Full story: Click Here At the moment 91% are saying O'Leary should stick with Kevin Phillips and Luke Moore who did us proud at the weekend against Middlesbrough.

Villa have been linked to USA international defender Oguchi Onyewu. The 23-year-old, who plays for Belgian team Standard Liege, is also being tracked by Birmingham 'off to the Championship' City, Wigan and Manchester City.

Roy Aitkin has heaped praise on James Milner. Full story: Click Here

Craig Gardner will put pen to paper on a new contract today as he extends his stay until 2009. The midfielder could also feature for Villa at the weekend against Newcastle as Gavin McCann is suspended and James Milner is unavailable due to his loan terms. Full story: Click Here

We asked last week who you would prefer to manage Villa. David O'Leary got 50%, Graeme Souness 2% and Noddy got 48%!!! Noddy was in the lead with 66% until our great weekend win! Full story: Click Here

Kevin Phillips has heaped praise on Luke Moore saying: 'If he keeps putting in performances like that, who knows where he can go.' Full story: Click Here

Villa reserves drew 2-2 with Blackburn away. Agbonlahor and Herd scored. Villa: Taylor, de la Cruz, Earls, O'Halloran (booked 55), Lowry (booked 21), Whittingham, Herd, Osbourne, Agbonlahor, Paul (booked 32), Saunders. Subs: Bridges (for Paul 71 - booked 90), Olejnik, Hogg (for Osbourne 56), Lund, Green (for Early 55).

69% of those who voted said that Villa should enter the Inter-Toto cup following David O'Leary saying he wanted to fix up tougher pre-season games this summer. 19% said no way Jose and the rest agreed we should IF the club invest in a bigger squad. Fulls story: Click Here

Thought for the day: Stress reducer; Put a bag on your head. Mark it 'closed for remodelling'. *Caution - leave air holes.