Aston Villa

There’s a very solid look about Aston Villa going from the result and performance against Birmingham City. Brad Friedel had a couple of long range shots to take care of but I can’t remember him having to do anything else of note. James Collins and Richard Dunne look …

The winners were clearly Aston Villa, over a very ordinary Portsmouth side, and, of course, Martin O’Neill over Nigel Reo Coker after their little spat last week. NRC is now back in training and has apparently said sorry for the kerfuffle.

Portsmouth had a few shots on goal without …

I didn’t enjoy the result against Blackburn. I didn’t enjoy watching Delph and Petrov play together in the middle. I didn’t enjoy seeing Villa’s name come out of the hat away to Sunderland. I don’t like the way NRC is being treated, naughty boy though he is, …

Another gap for the internationals and we’re back to league business. At home to Chelsea in the live match this Saturday after Milner, Gabby and Heskey did their bit in making sure that England sewed up the easiest of tasks in getting us over the line for World Cup qualification.

Heskey …

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by MATT HOWARD “Hoof, hoof, hoof” “anti-football”, “Bolton garbage”. Unfortunately for Sam Allardyce that was the reaction of a large section of the Blackburn Rovers fan base AFTER his December 2008 appointment.

Fifteen months on since the hapless Paul Ince was put out of his misery (luckily he’s back in work, managing some franchise last I heard) it still cannot be said that Big Sam has fully won over the club’s supporters. Yet, with top flight safety secured with months to spare, plus a Carling Cup semi final appearance, what more does he have to prove?  

For the majority of clubs, Premier League life is an unforgiving, relentless appearance, governed by a fear that you are only one bad run of results or managerial appointment away from relegation and financial Armageddon.

In the post Jack Walker era, Roverites are well aware that the club lives a hand to mouth existence, the club’s budget is on a knife edge each season; finishing lower in the table then budgeted for, less Sky TV appearances than forecast all these factors matter for a small town club with no benefactor. The tangible result of a poor year; fees accrued for the likes of Roque Santa Cruz and Stephen siphoned off to pay off debts and not to be reinvested fully in the team.

Therefore Chairman John Williams has often been on record stating that the club has no margin for error when it comes to managerial appointments. Of course Mark Hughes was always going to prove exceptionally hard to replace, however the hiring of Paul Ince was at best a gamble and at worst reckless. The photo of Ince’s notepad at Upton Park displaying just the one word- ‘Shoot!’ saying all you need about the self styled Guv’nor’s tactical nous .

There is no doubting the fact that Allardyce inherited a club on its knees, however the relegation battle was won with four games to spare. A tough backbone was put through the side, though not pretty Big Sam did exactly what he was asked to.

This season however has been fraught with tension, discontent and isolated calls for his substantial head, for outsiders this would seem bizarre, as a club with modest resources is once again punching above its weight. Yet, many fans struggle to accept that a reliance on set pieces and at times a direct style should be accepted at the expense of ‘flowing football’. The game though is littered with teams that have tried to ‘play football the right way’, however without players of sufficient quality, they quickly find themselves back in the Football League. 

However, with two home defeats all season, a Wembley near miss and the emergence of young talent in the form of Nikola Kalinic, Steven N’Zonzi and Martin Olsson, Allardyce’s record speaks for itself.

So you would think that with a proven track record of working on a shoestring, man management and upsetting the big boys, he would be manna from heaven for Blackburn Rovers supporters? Well, the jury it seems is still out.

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This isn’t meant to wind up the red half of Liverpool, but it needs to be said, just so there is a reference point to it in the future. Martin O’Neill will not leave Aston Villa to manage Liverpool, simply because it isn’t the step up a manager like Martin O’Neill would need to take, at this stage in his career.

Martin O’Neill is 58 years old and while he doesn’t need to work, is probably as addicted to football as the rest of us and wants to achieve things with a club, that he can truly call his own. At Aston Villa he isn’t living in a shadow but if he went to Liverpool, rightly or wrongly, he would be and that shadow at Liverpool would never be his.

You’ve all heard of The Clowns – they are a football team that play at The Circus down the road. They have a new Ringmaster who has instilled this belief that anything is possible. It isn’t really new manager syndrome, but it is, sort of.

The thing with The Clowns is, not even Sinbad the Sailor, borrowing three wishes from Aladdin, could turn that poor excuse for a travelling Circus into anything worthwhile or valuable. They are the typical yo-yo club and this is a great season for them, but we all know it is temporary.

Portsmouth are on the verge of becoming the first Premier League club to go into administration, and if many fans fears are to be believed Pompey may not be the first to go.

Manchester United,…

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With the latest ignominy of losing to out-of-form, relegation candidates Wigan Athletic, Liverpool now stand not only on the precipice of being ousted from their perennial Champions League spot but a malaise that threatens to last a generation.
The troubles at Anfield run right the way through the club and show no sign of abating.  With [...]

By JAMES HUNT Theo Walcott’s poor performance against Egypt may well have put him to the back of the line for a trip to South Africa.

Walcott, who was a surprise inclusion in Sven Goran Eriksson’s 2006 World Cup squad, had seemingly booked his place with a hat-trick against Croatia in 2008.

18 months on, however, the Arsenal winger has struggled for form and fitness. Aaron Lennon has jumped ahead as England’s first-choice right winger, and it was only his injury that gave Walcott his start against Egypt.

He looked off the pace throughout the game and really struggled to make an impact. He did then put in a man of the match performance for Arsenal against Burnley at the weekend, but the jury is still out on his ability to do it against top-class opposition.

Walcott said: “It has been very frustrating. Everything had gone so well before. Then suddenly this stop-start. But I’m not even thinking about England at the moment. I’m just focused on trying to get back into starting for a winning team at Arsenal.

“If I perform for Arsenal, that will get me on the plane. Simple as that. There is time yet”

England boss Fabio Capello has plenty of options for that right wing berth. Lennon and Walcott aside, there’s also Shaun Wright-Philips, who replaced Walcott against Egypt and scored one and created another, James Milner, Ashley Young and of course, David Beckham.

Capello has previously said: “I saw the last game Theo played, he was on for 72 minutes and did very well, but he is not in a fantastic moment. He needs to regain confidence because he has lost a lot of balls. He is getting better and better but he needs to play more.

“Theo is one of the fastest players we have. I remember the performance of Theo before he was injured. He has time to recover that form. When you don’t play a lot of games and then have the chance to start a game you try to do impossible things. But you have to play with confidence. He has time before we decide the squad. By the time I decide, I hope he is fit.”

Capello’s comments have made people take notice, with some seeing it as a sign that Walcott is assured a place on the plane.

Bookmakers Ladbrokes have Walcott at 4/7 to go to the World Cup, while he is 5/4 not to go. That is in comparison with Lennon (2/5 to go, 7/4 not to go), Wright-Philips (5/6, 5/6), Milner (1/12, 6/1), Young (5/1, 1/10) and Beckham (1/12, 6/1).

Walcott has so far made nine appearances for England, scoring three goals. It will no doubt be an anxious wait before Capello names his provisional 30 man squad on May 11, before cutting that down to 23 on May 30.

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No time for faffing about today, straight to the news and we have another nice bit to begin with. The Aston Villa Academy team made the semi-final of the FA Youth Cup last night after beating Fulham on penalties. That means, for all you non smart people who struggle to add up, that we have two FA Cup semi-finals this season – the future must be really positive with these kids coming through.

We have won the FA Youth Cup before and most will be aware of the 2002 win against Everton and a certain Wayne Rooney, but we also beat Liverpool 5-2 in 1972 and Manchester City 3-2 in 1980.

“Every time I play a game I put it behind me as soon as it’s finished. Sometimes it’s one of those days and today I put it right. I’m happy with my hat-trick, but tomorrow we move on.”

In the same paper Oliver Holt picks out Sol Campbell’s display. ‘There are plenty of second acts in the lives of English footballers, plenty of comeback stories, plenty of career resurrections. But few of them have been as dramatic and as unexpected as the return to Arsenal colours of Sol Campbell.

A few months ago, Campbell was being booed at Morecambe as he contemplated seeing out the winter of his career with Notts County in League Two. Last night, in the fifth game since his rebirth, his solid display in the centre of defence helped Arsenal keep a vital clean sheet against FC Porto and propelled them into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.’

Of course, Nasri’s superb display shouldn’t be overlooked and with Cesc Fabregas a doubt for the trip to Hull his displays could prove vital.

The Telegraph says AW rates Fabregas a only 50-50 to recover from his hamstring problem in time for Saturday’s Premier League game. “What Nasri has shown in the game, he has shown in training and I have expected that to come out,” said AW. “He has talent and now he starts to be efficient – great players can assist and score goals, he is starting to do that now.”

Final word, as always, must go to Henry Norris in the Bugle who writes: “Well done Bendtner — your hat-trick will shut up a few critics especially that odious creep Stan Collymore whose prediction for last night was 1-1…sad Villa clown.”

Aston Villa Youth side managed to progress to the Semi Finals of the FA youth Cup last night after a thrilling game against Fulham Youth which they eventually won on penalties.
Fulham were the side who took the lead after dominating the first half and they were soon awarded on the 39th minute.
Keanu-March Brown slotted in [...]

By JACK SUMNER Wayne Rooney has hit twenty-eight goals in all competitions this season, placing him at the top of Europe’s goal-scoring tree – ahead of heavyweight rivals such as David Villa and Lionel Messi. In a World Cup year it is enough to send shivers of expectation down the spine of any red-blooded Englishman, but with the tournament only three months away, England are yet to establish a strike partner for the talisman.

A twenty-three man squad typically allows for four strikers and barring ill-fated injury, Rooney will certainly make the plane. This leaves just three vacancies for Capello in attack and as the 2006 tournament demonstrated, the selection of forwards can be crucial.

Peter Crouch certainly did his chances no harm with a brace against Egypt, improving his international tally to twenty in thirty-seven appearances – many of which have come as a substitute. It is rumoured that Capello appreciates a physical presence alongside Rooney, something that the 6’ 7” striker undoubtedly is, although the same could be applied to both Carlton Cole and Emile Heskey. Neither man is as proven at international level however, and presented with the same opportunity would they have found the net against Egypt for the equaliser? Crouch dispatched a difficult chance with a classy finish for his first goal.

On domestic form, Jermaine Defoe should fly to South Africa. Yet the Tottenham player’s predatory instincts failed him in the friendly on Wednesday, perhaps reminding Capello why he has rarely started Defoe with Rooney. The Italian was keen to see how the two would play together though, and with the threat that Defoe carries it is unthinkable that he could be left at home. Even if Capello prefers a bigger man to start, Defoe will make the bench.

The curtain has finally closed on Michael Owen’s chances. A hamstring injury picked up in the Carling Cup Final has him out for the season, so England cannot rely on his experience this summer. The once touted ‘wonder-kid’ rolled back the years to equalise against Aston Villa, but his absence from the England scene could now open the door for his former Liverpool team-mate, Heskey. Heskey now presents the best option in terms of experience and with Crouch looking to be in pole position as the big-man to start with Rooney, he could nick the other seat on the England bench as he is preferred to Carlton Cole.

The most likely arrangement now looks like this; Rooney and Crouch to start, with Defoe and Heskey taken as other options. Capello has long stated however that he will take the players who are in the best form come the end of the season, so many twists and turns may lie ahead. A few other names may be thrown into the mix to; if Theo Walcott is forced out to accommodate Lennon or Wright-Phillips on the wing, he could perhaps become an attacking choice.

By JAMES TAYLOR Manchester United go into the second leg of their Champions League game against AC Milan in a strong position after scoring 3 away goals in the first leg. United will be firm favourites to qualify on Wednesday however Milan showed that they had the ability to trouble United’s defence especially through Brazilian left winger Ronaldinho.

Both teams have received fitness boosts ahead of the tie at Old Trafford. Manchester United will welcome back Wayne Rooney and Alexandre Pato returns for Milan.

Rooney missed United’s weekend win against Wolves and Sir Alex Ferguson feared the striker may not be fit in time to face Milan. However, it appears that the Rooney, who scored twice in the first leg, is likely to recover from a knee injury in time to lead the line for United.

United will be without Wes Brown who was substituted at half time on Saturday with a suspected broken metatarsal. The England international is expected to miss the remainder of the season and his World Cup hopes will be over if a scan confirms the injury. United must also cope without Michael Carrick. The midfielder is suspended after being sent off late in the game at the San Siro for kicking the ball away.

Darren Fletcher and Ji-Sung Park will almost certainly be recalled to the midfield after they were rested against Wolves. Sir Alex Ferguson could play Park in a more central role as Carrick and Anderson are both unavailable. However, Fergie may choose to continue with Darron Gibson who failed to impress after being given a rare start against Wolves. The Man United manager also has the option of playing 4-4-2 however United generally line-up with an extra man in midfield in Europe.

Ferguson’s other selection dilemma comes at right back with captain Gary Neville and Rafael Da Silva pushing to start. The Brazilian is expected to play as he has been preferred to Neville in a number of recent key games, including the Carling Cup final and the first leg.

AC Milan have included Pato in their squad for the second leg. The striker missed their goalless draw with Roma at the weekend with a hamstring injury but Milan are hopeful that he will be fit to play.

Marco Borriello is also expected to start for Milan after missing the 2-3 defeat through injury. The Italian has scored 10 goals this season and his form has led to him becoming a first team regular ahead of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

David Beckham will once again be the centre of attention as he returns to Old Trafford for the first time since he left United to join Real Madrid in 2003. The midfielder, who is on loan from LA Galaxy, was a substitute in Milan’s last game but will be hopeful of earning a recall to face his former side.

He told Milan’s TV channel: “If I play on Wednesday I won’t be frightened but I will be excited because I played in that stadium for many years and I know what it means to be a Manchester United player.

“I know what it means for opponents to play there.”

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By CHRIS SLATER ‘Thanks for the money, you’re welcome to him’ a West Ham supporting relative of mine told me last January when City paid the Hammers £14 million for the Craig Bellamy. His inflated price, injury record and lack of form at the time were all cited as evidence that the signing was just Mark Hughes sticking to his Welsh mates.

‘He won’t last long’ was the collective cry from fans and commentators alike. Admittedly it did seem a strange signing set compared to the ‘galactico’ Robinho and the more established European names like Wayne Bridge and Nigel De Jong who arrived at the same time.

More eyebrows were raised when his footballing godfather Hughes was harshly sacked and Bellamy fronted a group which stormed into the Eastland’s boardroom to protest. ‘He definitely won’t last much longer’ went the pub chatter.’

Yet Bellamy did what he’s good at and proved everyone wrong. In fact it is ironic that already the greatest legacy of Hughes’s reign has been the making of Mancini.

The Italian soon learnt old Bellers was as important and effective as 3 Robinho’s. It wasn’t the British-record signing City fans sang for during Mancin’s first game at home Stoke. And it was eventually the Brazilian who was shipped out on loan to leave Bellamy the first choice left winger.

The way he cuts in from the left and runs at defenders with his blistering pace has seen him score ??? goals already and set up countless more. Included in his haul are two brilliant braces at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge.

And it is a testament to Bellers that it this calibre of club that are now courting him. Arsene Wenger was recently quoted as saying he’d love Bellamy in his team, but simply couldn’t afford. Recent newspaper speculation linked also claimed Spurs were willing to swap Jermain Defoe for him.

But why would City sell him? Ok, he’s trouble. He has been since his career began. It’s the reason Alan Shearer hates his guts and the reason Rafa shipped him out of Liverpool quicker than you can say ‘golf clubs.’

And he has been back up to his old tricks already. 2 weeks ago he got in a scuffle with a Man United fan in a bar which left him nursing a black eye. Then there was his supposed ‘bust up’ with Roberto Mancini over training methods.

But no matter what goes on behind the scenes, Bellamy won’t leave City for two reasons.

Firstly, no one could afford him. As the richest club in the world City are in the unique position of never having to sell someone unless they really want to. As Arsene Wenger said, ‘we can’t afford to buy anyone from Manchester City and definitely not Craig Bellamy.’

City also used Bellamy in a recent marketing campaign, aptly entitled ‘I give my all’, showing he can a commercial as much as a footballing asset.

But the main reason he won’t leave is that he has proved himself indispensible on the pitch.

He is a fans’ favourite and without his goals, work-rate and endeavour, City would be coming up way short in the race for the Champions League.

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When I didn’t see Gabby anywhere on the team sheet on Sunday, I was firstly disappointed, then surprised. By the end of the day I wasn’t that concerned by it and had decided that whatever the relationship between John Carew and the manager or whatever the reason why Carew seems to play second fiddle to Heskey and Gabby, there is going to be a few surprised people if Carew doesn’t start next time out, even if Gabby is fit as a fiddle.

Before, I get started though, I just want to make it clear where I stand on the three strikers, just so I don’t have to answer again and hopefully so you can see where I am coming from, because my view might surprise you, especially as you’ll learn very soon I am a fan of Gabby and you’ll think I’m contradicting myself.