Downing joins Villa

Aston Villa have completed the signing of England international Stewart Downing from relegated club, Middlesbrough.

The deal is worth £12million and for a four year period.

Downing is currently sidelined due to a foot surgery after a tackle on the last game of the season against Villa took him out until October. Despite not being able to start the season, Martin O'Neil decided to sign the player anyway.

Villa's official website read :

Villa have completed the signing of England international Stewart Downing.

The four-year deal was finalised after the left-sided star agreed terms and passed a medical.

Downing becomes Martin O'Neill's first summer signing and adds more quality to the manager's claret and blue squad.

Downing has been left a big admirer of O'Neil and said :

As soon as I spoke to the manager at the training ground, I wanted to play for Villa and I wanted to play for him.

He has great ambition and wants to build a good squad to take the club forward. I want to be part of that.

As an outsider looking in, it was obvious that Villa were a club on the up. You can see a chairman and manager who want to build great things.

They have done that over the past few seasons, particularly by finishing sixth last time around, which was great.

But once you get here and see the stadium, the training ground, the people behind the scenes and the manager with his ambition and hopes for the future, it's even better than you realised.

Downing has also reiterated his intention to play for England next year in South Africa which is what has forced him to move away from the club he has always supported and would always support.

With this deal done, do you think it makes way for Ashley Young to look for newer pastures? Manchester United anyone?

Manchester City sign Villa's GK Taylor

Manchester City have completed yet another signing to indicate that they are not going to wait for other clubs to create any interest in their chosen targets.This time they have strengthened their goalkeeping options by bringing in Stuart Taylor from Aston Villa.

Taylor,former Arsenal goalie would now be part of the revolution taking place at Manchester City with not big money signings as was expected but players who can make their mark.

He would compete with Shay Given for the number 1 stopper at Eastlands.

Manager,Mark Hughes showed his delight in acquiring the former England U-21.

We are delighted to be able to add a goalkeeper of Stuart's undoubted calibre to the squad.

Stuart is still a fairly young goalkeeper at 28 but he provides a wealth of experience and reliability.

This would mean Joe Hart can be loaned out or can move on to Birmingham City as he's failed to be part of the team since Given's arrival in January.

Gareth Barry signs for Man City

Manchester City's website confirms the reports that have been emerging throughout the day about English midfielder, Gareth Barry's switch to the Citizens.

Manchester City have signed the Aston Villa player for a fee of £12million which is lesser than what the Villans demanded for a year back from Liverpool following which the deal fell through and the player stayed for the 2008/09 season.

The deal has been signed for five years which comes in the wake of Steven Ireland's agreement to a long term with Manchester City thus ensuring a formidable midfield along with Robinho.

Only thing that bothers me from Barry's point of view is why did he sign for a club which has in the near past only finished in the mid table.Whereas, Liverpool who have publicly shown interest in the player would have made him part of the top four clubs in England and not to forget the opportunity to play in Europe. Why would a 28 year old join a club which might not even achieve those credentials?

On the other side, do Manchester City fans think its a great deal and worth the money?Especially after the bag loads of money the owner's got?

Villa's Laursen calls it quits

Aston Villa's captain Martin Laursen has called it quits to his career following persistent injuries.

The former Danish international has had an injury plagued career and has not played a game since January when he injured his knee.

He had joined Aston Villa from AC Milan in 2004 where he had the knee problems as well.However those injury problems seemed a thing of the past as he became a formidable part of the Birmingham based club's defense.

He had announced retirement from international football in January after his injury and now his complete retirement has come as a shock to manager,Martin O'Neil and many Villa fans.

The Aston Villa website read :

Villa are sad to announce Martin Laursen's retirement from football," a statement on the club's website read.

The club captain made the decision after being faced with another lengthy spell on the sidelines.

He elected to hang up his boots rather than undergo another major operation - this time on his right knee.

The retirement of the lion-hearted defender will be a huge loss to the players, manager and fans.

Speaking to Sky News,Martin O'Neil paid tribute to his former captain,

It is sad news for everyone at the football club because he has been inspirational for us.

It is a particular blow for him obviously because he can no longer play and that is very hard to take.

The irony of course is the fact that the injury happened to his very good knee, which hadn't had any problems, and he is obviously devastated as we all are.

The forecast was gloomy a couple of weeks ago and he has come to the conclusion he wouldn't be able to continue.

I have obviously lost a top-quality centre-half and a top-quality leader.

Aston Villa have had a dreadful end to the season which sees them qualify for Europa Cup at the best where they could have been challenging Arsenal for the fourth place in the League,thus earning a qualifying berth in the Champions League. Martin Laursen would most definitely need to bolster his defense after his losing such a strong player,both physically and mentally.

Aston Villa 1 - 0 Hull City

Aston Villa confirmed their place in Europe next season while Hull City's task of avoiding the drop continues.

John Carew scored the only goal of the game in the 34th minute after getting a very close offside decision in his favour courtesy an Ashley Young cross.

The deftest of touches by the Norwegian proved decisive for the Villans who claimed their first win in 13 games.

The result means Villa would definitely end in the top six and are for now above Everton.

On the other hand,Hull are three points above the drop zone and have only one win in the last 19 games.

Ashley Young wins young player of the year

The Young player of the year award went to Aston Villa's Ashley Young who beat Agbanlahor,Jonny Evans,Rafael De Silva,Aaron Lennon and Stephen Ireland for the award.

Ashley said :

"To break into the England squad, to play as well as I have done and at the end of the day to get this award shows I have been doing really well, but if I didn't have my team-mates round me to help me as well I wouldn't be standing here now,"

The Englishman was also named in the Premier League team of the year.

Bouma to again get surgery

Aston Villa's Wilfred Bouma is set to undergo another surgery on his ankle injury.This means he would not play any part in Aston Villa's attempts to gain momentum on the 4th and final Champions league spot currently being held by Arsenal.

The Dutchman was looking for a recall after completing three games for the reserves but suffered a setback in the course of action and it has been decided the best course would be to get further surgery done.

Villa manager Martin O'Neil said :

"I think he needs a bit of keyhole surgery. If he does, I think that might prevent him from making the comeback between now and the end of the season.

"We will know better about that by the middle of next week but I think the idea is that it is best to get it (the surgery) done now."

Brad Friedel red card rescinded

The red card handed out to Brad Friedel over the weekend has been overturned.

Brad Friedel was adjudged to have brought down Fernando Torres in Aston Villa's 5-0 drubbing at Anfield.

Torres was charging towards the goal when Friedel brought the Spanish forward down to hand Liverpool a penalty but in no way was it a red card.Probably a yellow card would have been a fair enough punishment.

This means Friedel would be available for Villa's clash with leaders Manchester United on April 5.

Friedel has appeared for 182 straight games in a row now after he surpassed David James' record of 166 in November.

Premiership roundup : 21-09

The weekend offered a lot of skill and style with Manchester City mauling Pompey at City of Manchester Stadium,Everton had to stage a comeback to win over Hull,Villa won the Midlands derby over West Brom,Spurs are still winless in the Premiership and in the battle of the heavyweights,Kalou came to Chelsea's rescue.


Chelsea 1 - 1 Manchester United
Park 18'
Kalou 80'

Deco had pulled out before kick off during the warm up and things didn't get any better for Chelsea when in the 13th minute Carvalho hobbled off the pitch.

5minutes later,Manchester United opened their account when a low drive from Berbatov was spilled by Cech and Park was the first to react to lash the ball home.

A shaky Van der Sar was then replaced with Kuszczak following a challenge from Malouda which left the Chelsea man demanding a penalty.

Chelsea had glorious chances to score and possibly win the game although Cole and Anelka couldn't make the most of the opportunities.

Chelsea were getting impatient and piled on attack after attack and the attacking paid dividend in the 80th minute when Rooney conceded a free kick which was headed in the back of the net by Salomon Kalou.

Manchester United are placed 14th in the table with a game in hand and Arsenal stay top.

West Brom 1 - 2 Aston Villa
J.Carew 27'
Agbanlahor 29'
J.Morrison 33'

The faithfuls at Hawthorns had to bear some miserable defending from West Brom with many chances falling to Villa in the Midlands derby.

Villa took the lead courtesy John Carew who was left totally unmarked off an Ashley Young freekick.The Norwegian big man headed the ball beyond Scott Carson to make it 1-0 to the visitors.

Within a minute Villa capitalised on West Brom's awful defending by angling the ball in the back of the net and beyond Carson.Villa were up 2-0.

In the 33rd minute,Brad Friedel made a hash of Robert Koren's shot to spill in the path of James Morisson who snapped the rebound from close range.

In the second period,Villa could have increased their goal difference only to be disallowed by the goal post and a glorious chance lost by Luke Moore.

Manchester City 6 - 0 Portsmouth
Jo 13'
R.Dunne 20'
Robinho 57'
Wright Philips 68'
Evans 78'
Fernandes 83'

David James returned to his former club but only to go back home with head bowed and a game to forget.

Brazilian striker,Jo rounded off James in the 13th minute courtesy Robinho's slide-rule pass.Citeh were off to a flyer!

James then made a blunder by misjudging Elano's corner to allow Richard Dunne to head the ball in the back of the net.

Things got worse for Pompey in the second half.Steven Ireland who had a fabulous afternoon chipped a ball pass for Jo to control fabulously and his second touch landed on the feet of Robinho who put it past James.

The best of the lot came in the 68th minute from SWP who bulleted a ball past James with a very tight angle after another neat ball from Ireland.

Portsmouth's horrible defending and misery didn't stop there.Evans capitalised on a ball from SWP's clever flick for a number 5.Five Star Performace!

The afternoon was rounded off by substitute Fernandes capitalised on further dodgy goalkeeping by England's number one.

Manchester City 6 Portsmouth 0!!

Hull City 2 - 2 Everton
M.Turner 18'
P.Neville(o.g.) 50'
Cahill 73'
Osman 78'

Hull have come a far way to be disappointed with a draw against Everton.And indeed they will,after the squandered a two goal margin only to be getting a single point at the final whislte.

Michael Turner's header from a Dean Marney's corner and Neville's own goal from a similar set piece set the tone for a Hull win.

However Everton staged their comeback after a goal scrap which Cahill converted from made the final 17 minutes very interesting.

Although Everton were level after 5 minutes through a cross by Louis Saha which was converted to by Leon Osman.

Spurs 0 - 0 Wigan Athletic

Spurs continued to hold on to their not so wanted spot of the bottom of the table after a goal less draw with Wigan.

Clearly Spurs' new side is still in a transition phase but Ramos' needs to act quickly before they end up fighting for survival.

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Aston Villa confirm signing of Shorey

Villa swoop for Shorey



He will be joined by Luke Young from Middlesbrough on a three year deal as a deal which looks imminent right now.

He would be Villa's fourth signing of the season.The previous three being Steve Sidwell,Brad Friedel and Brad Guzan.

Shorey who had shone last year for Reading in the Premiership but they had been relegated after a disastrous campaign where they lost many games at the end of the season.

Martin O'Neil had this to say on the signings,

"Strengthening the squad has obviously been in our minds for quite some considerable time."

"We have agreed a fee with Reading for Nicky Shorey - a quality natural left-back who played for England 18 months ago."

Great signings for Villa?Time to say BYE BYE BARRY?

Barry staying a Villian this year : Aston Villa

Aston Villa's Gareth Barry would stay at Villa Park,for at least one more year.


Gareth Barry had been wanted by Liverpool all throughout the transfer market and Barry himself wanted a move to Anfield to fulfill his UEFA Champions League dreams.

The deal although has fallen through after Liverpool failed to bid for Villa's asking price of 18million pounds in the stipulated time period.

Villa's website read,

This evening, Aston Villa can announce that Gareth Barry will be staying with the club following the interest from Liverpool over recent months.

During discussions in the past few days, a final deadline to conclude this episode was set that all parties were aware of and agreed to. This deadline has now passed and so Gareth will remain with Villa.

Rafa Benitez had only this week completed the move for Robbie Keane from Spurs and was expected to sell at least three players to make finances available for Barry to be his midfield partnership with Steven Gerrard.

Rafa Benitez can now look elsewhere! Options anyone!?

Pre season friendlies

A few pre season friendlies were played today and the results are below.



Aberdeen 0 - 2 Manchester United(Carrick,Rooney).
Notable inclusion for Manchester United was the start for Gary Neville who played one game the last season due to injury.





FC Zurich 2(Abdi,Abdi) - 1 Aston Villa(Agbanlahor).
Notable omission was there captain Gareth Barry whose future is still under speculation after Villa's ever rising demands.





Tranmere Rovers 0 - 1 Liverpool(Benayoun).
There was total dominance from Liverpool but as again there Goals Scored section didn't narrate that story.The game also saw return of Daniel Agger from injury plagued 2007-08 season.

Sidwell joins Villa

Steve Sidwell is set to join Aston Villa after they agreed to a 5.5 million pound deal with Chelsea.


Sidwell had joined Chelsea from Reading last season on a free transfer and had only 7 starts to his Chelsea "career".
He is also seen as a replacement for Gareth Barry who would most certainly join Liverpool.