Blogs
It’s all gone quiet over here
21 December 2011, 1:17 pm
If you’ve been stopping by Aston Villa Central for a while now you would have noticed something amiss this past weekend and may have assumed that I had joined Darren [...]...Bolton 1 Aston Villa 2: Albrighton and Petrov grab the goals in first away win of season
10 December 2011, 5:19 pm
Marc Albrighton and Stiliyan Petrov produced the vital goals to deliver Villa’s first away win of the season, but Ivan Klasnic was able to prevent Brad Guzan earning a clean [...]...Confirmed Teamsheets: Bolton vs Aston Villa
10 December 2011, 2:15 pm
With Shay Given out for a month, Brad Guzan gets his first Premier League start, and it’s also emerged this week that the American is in contract discussions with his [...]...Aston Villa 0 Man Utd 1: Exciting line-up provides another false dawn
3 December 2011, 7:35 pm
They obviously can’t be bothered, so neither can I. It was a positive line-up, but Utd never needed to get out of 1st gear. McLeish must be giving out his [...]...Confirmed Teamsheets: Aston Villa vs Man Utd
3 December 2011, 4:42 pm
One of the bigger talking points has been the return of Ashley Young. James Milner showed class by not celebrating at Eastlands recently, expect Ashley Young to do exactly the [...]...
Ellis or Lerner – You decide?
20 February 2012, 6:55 pm
When Deadly Doug first sold the club to Randy Lerner, it was like a breath of fresh air for most supporters of the club, but how things have changed. Doug Ellis was always known for his no-nonsense approach but a very good business man. You could never ever question the man’s dedication to the club...Season Tickets – Value for money?
19 February 2012, 8:37 pm
It has been a quiet week with us being knocked out of the FA Cup and the first team on their holly bobs so I have found it hard to find anything to talk about, well until tonight. Every so often I will browse the internet to see if there is anything I have missed...The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
15 February 2012, 11:12 am
I normally only like to see and seek the positives in Aston Villa performances of late, to let’s say hide the cracks that are starting to appear. You may not agree with some things that I write but I’ve tried to be as balanced as possible. Wasting chances, leaving attacking to the last ten minutes...Aston Villa 0 Man City 1: Boring, boring Villa!
13 February 2012, 5:51 pm
I have personally be a season ticket holder at Villa Park for as long as I can remember and never have I felt the way I did yesterday as an Aston Villa supporter. When I was growing up many rival supporters used to refer to my beloved football club as ‘boring Villa’ and I used...Aston Villa v Man City Preview: 3-2 Home win?
11 February 2012, 11:45 am
Most teams used to dread coming to Villa Park, as it was a difficult place for all away teams, but it has been a very different story this season, with our last home win coming back on bonfire night. Remember, remember the 5th of November, so they rhyme goes. Well it is quite a significant...
CLOSED FOR RE-CONSTRUCTION
25 April 2011, 10:58 am
CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR RE-CONSTRUCTION....Bolton Wanderers 3-2 Aston Villa
6 March 2011, 9:49 am
The Villa fail to convert a sackful of chances and go down to another goal in the final five minutes......Manchester City 3-0 Aston Villa
2 March 2011, 5:42 pm
Rubbish team selection! Rubbish tactics! Rubbish performance! Substitutions when we're three goals down and 20 minutes left ? The fans, particularly the travelling faithful,......Aston Villa 4-1 Blackburn Rovers
26 February 2011, 12:24 pm
The Villa ease up to 12th in the league after what eventually turned out to be an easy three points......Blackpool 1-1 Aston Villa
13 February 2011, 8:01 am
With a two-week break pending, due the the lack of foresight of the FA, the Villa were pegged back by......
Advanced Look Ahead to Reebok Road Trip
Villa face a Bolton side this weekend who have the worst home record in the Premier League having won just 1 and lost 6 of their opening 7 games at the Reebok. Despite this, Bolton’s home advantage makes them slight favourites according to Betfair football, with a draw unsurprisingly the longest odds with Owen Coyle’s [...] ...Villa Preview vs Tottenham: Van der Vaart Fitness the Key
Villa face Tottenham having not beaten Spurs in their previous 5 encounters, with Redknapp’s side doing the double last season in strangely similar fashion. Both games ended 2-1 and while Marc Albrighton scored in each game for Villa, Rafael van der Vaart netted all four of Tottenham’s goals past Brad Friedel, now a teammate of [...] ...McLeish’s Villans ready for Spurs, Swansea and Man United
Aston Villa will be primed to re-launch their flailing Premier League campaign this season after the international break starting with Tottenham Hotspur, then facing Swansea City and finally coming up against Manchester United in a busy few weeks for the midlands club. With just two wins in their last 10 games (wins against Wigan and [...] ...Could Jermaine Signing be a Stroke of Jenas?
Aston Villa have 12 points after 10 games, the exact same tally as last season, and despite sitting 9th, could be in a dangerous position were they to lose, or even perhaps draw with Norwich. With United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal all to come in the next two months, Alex McLeish will no doubt [...] ...Villa Preview vs Sunderland: Goals at a Premium
It is fair to say that Villa have not exactly set the world alight under Alex McLeish so far and they will be aiming to prevent a third successive defeat in Darren Bent’s first return to Sunderland. Aston Villa After a 7-game unbeaten run at the start of the season, albeit with 5 draws thrown [...] ...
Ashley Young: Should We Sell?
16 April 2011, 8:59 pm
I don’t think even the most wishful Aston Villa supporter would be surprised to see the back of Ashley Young this summer. We’ve all come to terms that, after 4 and half wonderful seasons, our £9.75m bargain will take his … Continue reading →...Bent’s Pricetag in Perspective
31 January 2011, 3:22 pm
£18m rising to £24m… I never once denied how overpriced this transfer fee for Darren Bent was. At the time, I used Man City’s valuation of £28m for James Milner as justification for our extravagant spending. I pointed to Barcelona’s … Continue reading →...How Important is Bent?
24 January 2011, 8:52 pm
As soon as the record-breaking signature of Dazza Bent went through last Tuesday, I rejoiced for the acquisition of what we have been missing for so long. I claimed that it had been years since we had a natural goalscorer, … Continue reading →...Sunderland, Quit Your Whining
18 January 2011, 5:21 pm
The transfer of Darren Bent to Villa is imminent – in fact, it will probably be completed as I write this short piece. But the move is somewhat being soured by petulant Sunderland fans who, for some reason or another, … Continue reading →...A Goalscorer: Villa’s Forbidden Fruit
17 January 2011, 5:12 pm
Well, we’ve always wanted our 20-goals-a-season front man… it looks like we just may have got him. I read a comment earlier saying, “Aston Villa are mugs”. But, are they? £18m (possibly £24m) is an absolutely extortionate fee, granted. Aston … Continue reading →...
Delph done, Gabby back
22 February 2012, 8:26 pm
It seems our recent article on whether or not we should use Fabian Delph for the run in is a bit redundant, after news broke today that the midfielder might miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury. Mcleish had this to say on the player, and it doesn’t look good: ‘Delph is [...]...Surely Lichaj, Bannan and Weimann deserve more of a chance and playing the ‘Villa way’
21 February 2012, 5:23 pm
I love the reserves, and apologies if some of this sounds familiar but surely we need to be using more of our successful second team, with the three named in the title at the forefront. We talked about the potential of Weimann just a few days ago, and after a second hat-trick in three games [...]...Should Fabian Delph play a part in our run in?
20 February 2012, 9:23 pm
With the news that Fabian Delph has returned to the club slightly earlier than scheduled due to an ankle injury, it got us thinking whether we could use Delph for the remainder of our season. He performed well at Leeds by all accounts, and then caretaker boss Neil Redfearn (Neil Warnock has now taken over) [...]...Please Randy, bring us Robbie Keane
19 February 2012, 10:22 pm
A weekend without Villa usually means there is little to write about, thanks to Robbie Keane and his slightly mysterious comments though we have a little something to look at this fine evening. For all those who haven’t seen it, the comments concern whether Keane might be contemplating a return to the premiership, and here [...]...Time for Guzan to move on and to promote Siegrist?
18 February 2012, 1:56 pm
With the news coming from the Birmingham Mail that Guzan has been offered a new contract, it’s clear that the popular American has a tough decision to make. I’m a big fan of Guzan, and have thought for a while he was one of the very best number two keepers in the country. He has [...]...
Stewart Downing. No Goals, No Assists, No Good? #avfc #lfc
16 December 2011, 8:00 am
Regardless of what one might have thought, Villa selling Stewart Downing to Liverpool for £20 Million (2011 summer transfer window) still felt like reasonably good business at the time. A few months down the line, Downing has produced literally none of the glimpses of talent Villa fans witnessed for his new employers at Anfield. It now feels like even better business. But there is a reason for this. 15 games into his Liverpool career Downing has produced nothing. Not so much as an own ...Martin O'Neill: The Truth #avfc #safc
6 December 2011, 9:30 pm
Poor old Sunderland. First Aston Villa take Darren Bent off their hands and then they have the genuine misfortune of signing away a three year contract to Martin O’Neill. Times must be very hard indeed up north, where money is tight, the logical step being to appoint a manager of MON’s calibre, famed for his ability to bring top 6 finishes on a shoestring. Or rather not. Sarcasm and banter aside, there is a purpose to this much pondered piece. And that is to awaken Sunderland fans to t...Spotlight: Sasa Curcic #avfc #bwfc #cpfc
25 November 2011, 6:15 pm
There are clichés, tired phrases and sayings that are regularly over-used in football. But Sasa Curcic’s Villa career genuinely warrants some of them. ”Unprecedented failure”, “flop”…or the lesser coined “Serbian George Best”. The latter was amazingly not invented purely for this piece, nor said in jest. Curcic arrived at Aston Villa having exploded onto the Premier League scene with eye catching performances in a then struggling Bolton team. His stay at Villa was an u...Defeat at Spurs: Why the surprise or dismay? #avfc #thfc
22 November 2011, 6:52 pm
On this day in 1988 the USA revealed it had the capacity to deliver a nuclear warhead, by stealth, to anywhere on the planet. It paraded the B-2 aircraft proudly in Palmdale Florida; it remains a statement of defiance, intent and power to this date. Last night Aston Villa’s display could not have stood in starker contrast. Indeed it was as far from a statement as could feasibly have been made. Further, it was a clear message of simple damage limitation. If 1988 was the year of the stea...Hope: The story so far; ten games in. #avfc
4 November 2011, 4:34 pm
As any seasoned Aston Villa supporter will tell you, life can be full of ups and downs. This 2011/12 season to date has been no different. Where promising steady early season form has massively stagnated into a recurring theme of “must try harder”. Wasteful finishing, erratic defending and the distinct lack of victories as the club approaches the crucial winter period do provide cause for concern. And the whole squad appears to be guilty to some greater or lesser extent. And whilst i...
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Aston Villa focused on rising not relegation, says Marc Albrighton
13 February 2012, 11:00 pm
• Club aiming for six points from next two matches• I'm in favour of the gaffer, says AlbrightonAston Villa's Marc Albrighton says he and his team-mates are focused on moving up the Premier League, rather than fearing a relegation battle. Villa's latest home defeat, to Manchester City on Sunday, leaves them in 15th position. Their record of six wins in 25 league games has resulted in intense pressure on the manager, Alex McLeish."No, we're staying positive," said Albrighton when asked if Vil...Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne ruled out for two months
13 February 2012, 1:59 pm
• Dunne broke right shoulder in defeat by Manchester City• Shane Duffy called up to the Republic of Ireland squadThe Aston Villa central defender Richard Dunne will be sidelined for up to two months with a fractured right shoulder. Dunne suffered the injury in Sunday's home defeat by Manchester City after falling heavily when challenging the goalkeeper Joe Hart for a cross.A club said: "Richard Dunne sustained a fracture to his right clavicle in the game against Manchester City. He will unde...Premier League: the weekend's matches - in pictures
13 February 2012, 10:31 am
The best images from around the grounds in the Premier LeagueSteven Bloor...Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester City | Premier League match report
12 February 2012, 6:24 pm
Even a squad as sleek and polished as Manchester City cannot triumph unless they know how to grind their way to victory. They now lead the Premier League by two points because of a set-piece, with Joleon Lescott scoring the only goal of the game, from a corner-kick in the 63rd minute. Pragmatism was at the heart of City's display, but they quaked towards the close when Carlos Cuéllar headed high when unmarked. Later still, Joe Hart made an outstanding save from Villa's Darren Bent.Nonetheless, ...Aston Villa v Manchester City - as it happened
12 February 2012, 5:55 pm
Joleon Lescott scored the only goal of the game as Manchester City moved two points clear at the top of the tableGreat news everybody! Carlos Tevez is on his way back to Manchester. Obviously tired of Luis Suárez grabbing all he headlines, Carlitos will amble back to play his part in Manchester City's title run-in."Everyone knows Carlos is a top player," Roberto Mancini said this week, telling everyone what they already know. "If he was here and playing it would be better, because Carlos can ch...
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish told to brain storm with Cleveland Browns coach by owner Randy Lerner
15 February 2012, 1:11 pm
Aston Villa manager told to spend the next couple of days under the wing of Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur....Luis Suarez handshake snub copied by mascot at Manchester City's match with Aston Villa
14 February 2012, 9:57 am
Video: Is this definitive proof kids will copy their Premier League idols, good or bad....?...Joleon Lescott makes statement as Manchester City reclaim pole position in race for Premier League title
12 February 2012, 10:30 pm
On a day of statements, Man City made one of their own, returning to the top of the table with a controlled performance against Aston Villa....Manchester City's cold war with Carlos Tévez looks likely to end in a truce
12 February 2012, 10:30 pm
Paul Hayward: Carlos Tévez is coming into the cold. It should be "from", but nothing is straightforward with 'El Apache'....Aston Villa 0 Manchester City 1: match report
12 February 2012, 6:00 pm
City return to the top of the Premier League, beating an Aston Villa side whose nightmare home form shows no sign of easing....
David Cameron: Racism in football will not be swept under carpet
22 February 2012, 5:34 pm
David Cameron has stepped into the row over racism in football, warning the sport cannot brush the issue under the carpet any longer. He has pledged Government support....Fabian Delph out for the season
22 February 2012, 8:46 am
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish admits it is unlikely midfielder Fabian Delph will play again this season after suffering an ankle injury during his loan spell at Leeds....David Cameron orders football anti-racism summit
22 February 2012, 12:24 am
David Cameron will step into the row over racism in football by staging a Downing Street summit on the issue. High-profile incidents are damaging to football's image....FA will back Premier League star who admits to being gay
21 February 2012, 9:21 am
The FA fully support the first Premier League player to break football's final taboo and openly admit to being gay. Justin Fashanu remains the only player to 'come out'....Twitter for live goals - Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Carling Cup and more
18 February 2012, 11:13 am
We have a brilliant service that will keep you bang up to date with all the goals as they go in. For every game involving Premier League sides, we will post an update on Twitter each time the ball hits the back of the net....
EXCLUSIVE: Spurs to tempt Redknapp with new deal
22 February 2012, 10:31 pm
Levy hopes contract and arrival of new faces will convince manager to turn England down...Pearce's young Lions set to go Dutch
22 February 2012, 10:30 pm
String of senior England stars not being considered for next week's friendly by stand-in boss...Racism is a problem for society not just football, Prime Minister
22 February 2012, 10:30 pm
No, Prime Minister. We are not winning the fight against racism. Not when we are knee deep in a season characterised by race. Not when we have had the captain of our national team stripped of his position over racism allegations. Not when we have players openly abused on social networking sites on an almost daily basis. Not when we have police arresting fans on trains and staging dawn raids to round up so-called supporters who chant vile songs. Especially not when we have had Premier League m......Fergie: Prem's Euro woes are a blip
22 February 2012, 10:30 pm
English sides will bounce back from bad Champions League year predicts United boss...What are the odds Villas-Boas gets the puss before Chelsea v Napoli? Derek McGovern's Bets of the Day
22 February 2012, 10:00 pm
It was clear from Andre Villas-Boas’ team selection against Napoli that he intends to get the better of the Chelsea old guard. He has a decent chance of succeeding – everyone is getting the better of Chelsea right now. These days, AVB can’t talk to anyone without someone asking him if he’s going to be sacked. Welcome to my world, Andre. You have to feel some sympathy for Villas-Boas, who inherited a team that turned old overnight. Shortly after that, they turned on him. Ashley Cole was r...
Fabian Delph misery at season KO
23 February 2012, 12:00 am
FABIAN DELPH'S season looks over after he was sent back to Aston Villa by Leeds with an ankle injury...Aston Villa team news
21 February 2012, 12:00 am
FIND out all the latest team news for Aston Villa ahead of their next Premier League fixture against Wigan Athletic...Robbie Keane eyes summer return
20 February 2012, 12:00 am
ROBBIE KEANE will return to the Premier League this summer unless he can cure his homesickness...McLeish backs Bent call-up for GB
17 February 2012, 12:00 am
ALEX McLEISH says he would not stand in the way if any Aston Villa players were picked for Team GB...LA Galaxy news: Robbie Keane tempted by Premier League return
16 February 2012, 12:00 am
HOMESICK LA Galaxy star Robbie Keane is considering a move back to the Premier League, with Villa interested...
Aston Villa transfer rumour updates: Daily updates on the latest rumours
22 February 2012, 6:00 pm
A daily dose of Aston Villa transfers...Aston Villa: Alex McLeish reports back from Cleveland Browns fact-finding trip
22 February 2012, 11:00 am
ALEX McLeish has described Aston Villa and the Cleveland Browns as one big “family” after giving a positive report of last week’s transatlantic trip....Fabian Delph's Aston Villa career is dealt another blow with season-ending injury
22 February 2012, 10:59 am
FABIAN Delph’s season is over after the midfielder’s frustratingly unfulfilled Villa career took another turn for the worse....Aston Villa fan of the week: Mark Pearson
22 February 2012, 9:54 am
It's time for this week's Aston Villa fan of the week. ...Reserves report: Aston Villa 4 West Brom 1
22 February 2012, 7:54 am
A FINE hat-trick from Andreas Weimann and a super strike by Eric Lichaj ensured Aston Villa ran out winners in their top-of-the-table Premier Reserve League showdown against neighbours West Brom, who had Scott Allan notching his first goal for the club....
Delph blow but Gabby’s back for Villa
22 February 2012, 11:00 am
Fabian Delph today suffered the heartbreak of another injury blow after Villa’s medical staff ruled him out for the remainder of the season with an ankle injury....Villa Reserves 4 Albion Reserves 1
22 February 2012, 7:46 am
West Brom's reserves were put to the sword as Andreas Weimann gave a reminder of his ability with a hat-trick in an emphatic win for a strong Villa second-string....Carlos: This one’s for Robbie Keane
21 February 2012, 10:58 am
Carlos Cuellar today hailed the impact Robbie Keane’s had at Villa as the ex-Wolves striker prepares to play the last game of his loan spell....Transfer rumours – February 21
21 February 2012, 7:58 am
Expressandstar.com brings you the latest transfer talk from Wolves, West Brom, Aston Villa, Birmingham and Walsall....Robbie Keane leaves door open for future at Villa
20 February 2012, 9:55 am
Robbie Keane today left the door open for a permanent spell at Villa after he told fans to “watch this space” on a future return to the Premier League....
Web and Broadcasters
Cuellar looking to benefit from Dunne absence
22 February 2012, 12:54 pm
Carlos Cuellar is hoping to take advantage of fellow Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne's two-month absence with a shoulder problem....Delph doubtful for season
22 February 2012, 12:05 pm
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish admits it is unlikely midfielder Fabian Delph will play again this season after suffering an ankle injury during his loan spell at Leeds....McLeish hails "informative" US trip
22 February 2012, 11:38 am
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish believes the trip to exchange information with coaching staff from club owner Randy Lerner's NFL franchise, Cleveland Browns, was a worthwhile exercise....Foxes plan Delfouneso discussions
22 February 2012, 11:03 am
Leicester are planning talks with Aston Villa regarding the future of on-loan striker Nathan Delfouneso....Premier League - Delph doubtful for season
22 February 2012, 7:43 am
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish admits it is unlikely midfielder Fabian Delph will play again this season after suffering an ankle injury....
Leicester may extend Nathan Delfouneso's loan deal
21 February 2012, 4:49 pm
Assistant boss Craig Shakespeare says Leicester City may extend Aston Villa striker Nathan Delfouneso's loan deal....Shrewsbury's James Collins no regrets over Villa exit
16 February 2012, 1:06 pm
Shrewsbury Town's top scorer James Collins has no regrets over leaving Aston Villa....Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish to meet Cleveland Browns coach
15 February 2012, 2:45 pm
Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish is heading to the United States for a brainstorming session with NFL outfit Cleveland Browns' head coach Pat Shurmur....Aston Villa's Richard Dunne faces two months out
13 February 2012, 2:25 pm
Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne faces a period on the sidelines after a clash with Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart....Aston Villa "deserve more luck' - Alex McLeish
12 February 2012, 7:12 pm
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish says his side "deserved more luck" in their 1-0 defeat by Manchester City and blames injuries for their patchy form....
Cuellar hoping for Villa chance
22 February 2012, 5:21 pm
Carlos Cuellar is happy to fill in wherever Alex McLeish needs him if it means getting an extended run in the Aston Villa first team....Agbonlahor ready for action
22 February 2012, 9:16 am
Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has returned to training ahead of Saturday's trip to Wigan....Foxes plan Delfouneso talks
22 February 2012, 8:59 am
Leicester City are planning to hold talks with Aston Villa regarding the future of on-loan striker Nathan Delfouneso....Delph suffers new injury blow
22 February 2012, 8:31 am
Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph could miss the rest of the season following the ankle injury he suffered on loan at Leeds United....Herd steps up comeback
21 February 2012, 8:31 pm
Aston Villa midfielder Chris Herd has returned to action with the reserves after two-and-a-half months out with ankle ligament damage....
Villa boss McLeish fears Delph out for season
22 February 2012, 8:10 am
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish admits it is unlikely midfielder Fabian Delph will play again this season after suffering an ankle injury during his loan spell at Leeds....Off the Ball: Ball-ache at Rangers, Balotelli TV prank show
18 February 2012, 10:21 am
This week in Off the Ball, Michael Ball reveals he had to pay Everton £4,000 out of his own pocket every time he played for cash-strapped Rangers....Dunne sidelined with broken shoulder
15 February 2012, 12:03 pm
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has suffered a double injury blow with key defenders Richard Dunne and Ciaran Clark expected to be out of action for several weeks....Aston Villa 0-1 Man City
12 February 2012, 8:42 pm
Aston Villa 0-1 Man City...Jolly: Listless Villa repeat lack of ambition
12 February 2012, 8:06 pm
Aston Villa's tedious display against Manchester City frustrated Richard Jolly....
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