| Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:53 PM |
Robert Pires has joined Villa until the end of the season.
The former Arsenal playmaker has put pen to paper on a contract in claret and blue.
Villa, however, are still awaiting international clearance for him to play a part in Sunday's game with Blackburn.
The 37-year-old will add valuable experience to the ranks after winning a host of trophies during a glorious career to date.
The one-time left-wing star, now moved to the central ground, signed for Villa as a free agent after being released by Villarreal in the summer.
Pires, who will wear the number eight shirt, arrives with a stunning portfolio, having won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the 2002 Footballer of the Year prize during his six year stay with Arsenal.
His fleet-of-foot and intelligent football brain was vital in the Gunners machine of the early 2000s.
Pires, speaking immediately and exclusively after penning the new deal, told AVTV: "I can't wait to play and put on that new shirt. It is very exciting.
"I am very happy to join Aston Villa because it's a big club in England.
"I am also thrilled to have the chance of working with Gerard Houllier. I know him.
"I had a good opportunity two months ago to train with Arsenal. Thanks to Arsene Wenger for that.
"Now this move represents a new opportunity and a new challenge for me. I am very happy to start.
"I can't wait to put that shirt on and play for Aston Villa. I am proud to play for Villa and to the fans, I'd like to say 'see you soon at Villa Park.'
Villa manager Gerard Houllier said: "Robert is an experienced player with a good mentality and he can help the players here, particularly our younger players.
"I believe he can bring a lot to the team and I'm delighted to welcome him here."
Assistant manager Gary McAllister welcomed the opportunity of working with Pires and believes his sheer presence will have a positive effect on the whole squad.
He said: "He is a proven winner. It gets thrown around a lot these days when people say they are a winner but he is a genuine article.
"He's a European champion and he has won the World Cup as well. He has vast experience and was a fantastic player in the Premier League for Arsenal.
"People thought he was coming to the end of his career but he went to Villareal and done well there for several seasons.
"For all the younger players - what a tremendous addition. The younger players can only learn from watching a guy like Robert on the training field.
"He will gain respect. But I am sure Robert Pires isn't coming here just to be a player that everyone is going to stand back and admire. He will want to gain the respect of the fact that he is still competitive and still able to do a job at this level."
| Posted on November 16, 2010 at 11:59 AM |
Manager Gerard Houllier has been in talks today with representatives of midfield maestro Robert Pires.
The 37-year-old, who is a free agent after being released by Villarreal in the summer, won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the 2002 Footballer of the Year prize during his six year stay with Arsenal.
He was also voted sixth greatest player of all-time by Arsenal fans in an online poll as well as emerging victorious in World Cup 1998 and the European Championships of 2000.
Gary McAllister would welcome the arrival of an experienced player who would be an example for Villa's young guns.
He said: "Robert has been training at Arsenal.
"I know the boss and Arsene Wenger are very friendly and I believe he's spoken to him.
"It would be perfect. I am sure he would arrive at the training ground in good condition.
"He's a player everyone would look up to because of what he has achieved."
Get in quick to pick up tickets for Villa against Arsenal on Saturday November 27, kick-off 12.45pm -
| Posted on October 19, 2010 at 7:32 AM |
Leicester are close to signing former Aston Villa and Manchester City striker Darius Vassell. The 30-year-old, who played under new Foxes boss Sven-Goran Eriksson at Eastlands and was handed his England debut by the Swede, is a free agent after leaving Turkish side Ankaragucu and underwent a medical on Monday night.
Eriksson is keen to reshape the squad at the Walkers Stadium and has already signed defenders Curtis Davies and Kyle Naughton on loan deals from Aston Villa and Tottenham respectively.
Vassell, who began his career with Aston Villa and signed for Manchester City in a £2million deal in the summer of 2005, has been without a club since leaving Ankaragucu in May and is not match fit.
Vassell made 22 appearances for England and scored six goals.
| Posted on October 19, 2010 at 7:26 AM |
Robert Pires has issued a come-and-get-me plea to any Premier League suitors interested in his services, and revealed he was desperate to finish his career playing in England.
The ex-Arsenal ace, 36, is back training with the Gunners after leaving Villarreal last summer, but Arsene Wenger appears happy with his midfield options and unwilling to offer his former favourite a contract, leaving Pires free to find a new club elsewhere in the country.
The former France midfielder was most enthusiastic about a move to Aston Villa, saying he would 'jump at' the chance to join Gerard Houllier's outfit, but also mentioned by name Birmingham City and Stoke City as potential new clubs.
Look who's back: Robert Pires in training with Arsenal on Monday - but Arsene Wenger appears unwilling to offer his former midfielder a contract
Pires also talked up a potential move to Championship leaders Queens Park Rangers and insisted he was not looking for a short-term contract despite his age.
Leicester, now managed by former England boss Sven Goran Eriksson, are also said to be in the running to sign Pires, having been linked with a move for the midfielder in the summer.
'I spent six beautiful years at Arsenal,' Pires told French newspaper L'Equipe. 'London became my home and I knew I would come back. On a professional level, I can imagine continuing my career here.
Adios: Pires left Spanish side Villarreal last summer
'Arsenal have offered me the opportunity to train and I can't thank Arsene Wenger enough. I am working with the reserves and sometimes with the first team, which is perfect.
'England is probably the place where I have the best chance to find a club. In England, people don't look at your age. In Spain it was not the case, which is why I had to move on.
'Even for a club like Birmingham or Stoke City? Of course, if I have an opportunity from Aston Villa, I will jump at it. But I will analyse any proposition. I don't want to go anywhere and fight every weekend against relegation.
'QPR? I would be attracted. I am not necessarily looking for a six-month contract. I could imagine myself playing much longer. I will give myself until January 31. If at the end of the winter transfer market I have not found a club, I will hang up my boots.'
| Posted on October 14, 2010 at 11:03 AM |
Aston Villa are tracking promising Toulouse winger Franck Tabanou, the player's agent has hinted.
The left winger is well known to Villa Park boss Gerard Houllier after coming through the France youth system and he played for Les Bleus Under 21s in their 3-1 friendly win against Denmark on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old has also been linked with Juventus after impressing for Toulouse this season and his agent said: 'These two clubs (Villa and Juve) are not mentioned by chance - and there are others following him.'
He is under contract till 2013 and Toulouse will want a good fee who, alongside 21-year-old Tottenham target Moussa Sissoko, is considered one of the club's bright hopes for the future.
Tabanou admitted last week that being reunited with former France technical director Houllier was an exciting prospect.
'If this rumour is true, I am proud because Aston Villa have been one of the big English clubs for several years,' said the left-sided player.
'Now I play for Toulouse and don't think about it too much. But it would be a lie to say that this club doesn't interest me. If they make an offer, then we'll see.'
| Posted on October 14, 2010 at 11:03 AM |
Aston Villa are tracking promising Toulouse winger Franck Tabanou, the player's agent has hinted.
The left winger is well known to Villa Park boss Gerard Houllier after coming through the France youth system and he played for Les Bleus Under 21s in their 3-1 friendly win against Denmark on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old has also been linked with Juventus after impressing for Toulouse this season and his agent said: 'These two clubs (Villa and Juve) are not mentioned by chance - and there are others following him.'
He is under contract till 2013 and Toulouse will want a good fee who, alongside 21-year-old Tottenham target Moussa Sissoko, is considered one of the club's bright hopes for the future.
Tabanou admitted last week that being reunited with former France technical director Houllier was an exciting prospect.
'If this rumour is true, I am proud because Aston Villa have been one of the big English clubs for several years,' said the left-sided player.
'Now I play for Toulouse and don't think about it too much. But it would be a lie to say that this club doesn't interest me. If they make an offer, then we'll see.'
| Posted on September 21, 2010 at 2:38 PM |
New Aston Villa manager Gerrard Houllier will be looking at bolstering his squad in January. With a few names apparently already on his list, Houllier is evidently wasting no time in trying to get the proven names in a claret shirt as The Villains look to climb the league.
John Mensah
The Sunderland loanee could find himself in the Premiership on a permanent basis if he maintains his form. The ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ as he is known, is now a fully fledged international for Ghana, and statistics also show that he was Sunderland’s best defender in 2009/10, with more games won during which he played. Aston Villa have shown a worrying habit of conceding sloppy goals, as evidenced by the 6-0 drubbing at Newcastle and the embarrassing 2-3 defeat at home to Rapid Vienna in the Europa League. With Mensah’s impressive overall career record, Houllier would be well advised to speak to Lyon.
Jermaine Jenas
The classic ‘Marmite’ player is seemingly content at Spurs, but may be movable if the right bid came along. The arrival of Rafael Van Der Vaart has set the cat amongst the pigeons, and although opinions remain mixed, his morale remains sky high as he looks to establish himself as Tottenham’s jewel in the crown. Jenas found himself frustrated last season, appearing in just 19 (half) of the 38 Premier League games – if indeed he is slipping out of favour at Tottenham, he could be ripe for picking come January.
Scott Loach
With goalkeeper Brad Friedel approaching 40 years old, who better to pursue than Watford’s 22 year old Scott Loach? Despite many of the premonitions and mutterings that preceded the friendly against Hungary, Loach acquitted himself surprisingly well between the sticks, especially since England have recently suffered much in this department. Loach had a good season for Watford in 2009/10, appearaing in all 46 Championship games and keeping 12 clean sheets for a team who were locked in a relegation battle until late April. Houllier should have little to lose if Loach is willing to make the jump to the top flight and catch it with both hands – literally.
Steven N’Zonzi
It wouldn’t be a Houllier target list without a couple of Frenchmen on it, and the first is Blackburn Rovers’ great white hope Steven N’Zonzi. Blackburn have a reputation for their solid, workmanlike approach but not for their style and panache, but N’Zonzi (along with mainstay Morten Gamst Pedersen on the opposite wing) defies that idea. His wonder strike against Everton back in April was astonishing in both the power and placement, and although he has recently signed a 5-year deal at Ewood Park, any additional money from Randy Lerner may do the necessary talking if Villa are to make a bid come the new year.
Djbril Cisse
It was only a matter of time before this name cropped up, and much like other rumours of him returning to Liverpool or going to Manchester United, this one could easily be dismissed on account of his morale at Panathiniakos. Cisse was the top goalscorer in the 2009/10 Greek Premier League for Panathiniakos, and stated his desire to play in the Champions League – he even has a tattoo of the Panathiniakos clover on his right thigh. All the signs may point to “no” for a transfer to Villa Park, where European football of any form is currently absent altogether, but things have a funny way of turning around in this day and age of football.
| Posted on September 12, 2010 at 2:36 PM |
Michael Owen.is in line to become Gerard Houllier’s first signing for Aston Villa.
The new Villa boss is set to make a swoop for the former England striker during the January transfer window either on loan or for a nominal fee.
Houllier watched Owen play in Jamie Carragher’s testimonial game at Anfield last Saturday and was impressed by his form and fitness.
He will be keen to reunite his relatonship with the striker which flourished so successfully at Liverpool that Owen was named European Player of the Year in 2001 after helping fire the club to a treble of trophy successes.
Owen’s contract with Manchester United expires at the end of the season and he remains a bit-part player at Old Trafford.
He might welcome to chance to reignite and extend his career by another two years at Villa under Houllier.
And it would be the sort of budget signing which will appeal to owner Randy Lerner whose decision to tighten the purse-strings led to the resignation of Martin O’Neill. (News of the World)
According to some sources Sir Alex Ferguson will willingly allow Michael Owen.leave for Villa Park in January for a fee in the region of £3m as the former Liverpool man tries to reignite a career that is once again in danger of stagnating. Gerard Houllier has expressed an interest in bringing his former Anfield charge to Aston Villa to boost his attacking options and with his contract at Old Trafford set to expire next summer a nominal fee will be agreed to complete the deal.
When called upon by Ferguson the 30 year old has done pretty well, netting nine goals in twelve starts, however injuries and lack of opportunities have left the England man down the pecking order and has managed just 32 minutes of Premier League football thus far this term and has not started a Premier League match for United since he made the starting eleven in January.
| Posted on September 10, 2010 at 2:15 PM |
We have signed Espanyol’s 16 year star Juanjo Serrano de la Cruz for a Sum of £50,000 which will rise to £800,000 with add ons in the future
At first, I know it will be hard, but yes, I want to go. The English football is more physical but also has more space, so I’m sure the position is midfielder when play- – I enjoy very much. ” Juanjo, who finished fourth secondary school, the family will live with another player on the team and his new club Aston Villa, will pay for their studies, although the first full year of dedicated to acquire the highest level of English.
And a very good sign that the reputation of our academy is spreading far and wide but I have some reservations in the amount of young stars coming in from abroad to become now ‘homegrown’. Hopefully at Villa the core of the academy is English.
| Posted on September 3, 2010 at 1:24 PM |
Aston Villa can confirm that Andy Marshall has been drafted into the claret and blues squad for the 2010-11 season.
The custodian has put pen-to-paper on a deal until June 2011.
The 35-year-old will act as goalkeeping cover for Brad Friedel and Brad Guzan.
Marshall was an integral member of Villa's title-winning Barclays Premier Reserve League South side last season.
"It's been in the pipeline for the last three weeks that it potentially could happen," he told avfc.co.uk.
"I was released in the summer with the possibility of coming back.
"I am absolutely delighted it has been done and I am very thankful for Kevin MacDonald for bringing me back because I have got a good relationship with Kev.
"I worked very well with him in the reserves with the young lads last season and he sees it as an opportunity to get Elliott (Parish) out on loan and get him some games.
"There is still the cover having myself here in case anything happens with either of the Brads."
| Posted on August 31, 2010 at 3:56 AM |
Luke Young has admitted he has received several calls asking if he fancies a move from Aston Villa - but isn't planning on going anywhere. Young rejected the chance to move to Liverpool earlier this month after being made available for transfer but now wants to play a prominent part for Villa.
He said: "I will feel more settled when the window shuts. There are still people ringing me, left right and centre to see if I'm available. "I want to play for Villa. That's why I came here in the first place because I knew it was a big club and for me, along with Tottenham, it's the two biggest clubs I've been at." Now Young is calling for Aston Villa to fill their managerial vacancy as quickly as possible and backed caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald for the role. MacDonald has promised to let Villa owner Randy Lerner know by tomorrow if he wants to be considered for the job on a permanent basis. Young believes he has the qualities to succeed but hopes Martin O'Neill's successor will be appointed sooner rather than later by Lerner.
The former England defender, hoping to rebuild his own career at the midlands club after scoring the winner in yesterday's Barclays Premier League clash with visiting Everton, said: "I hope now Kevin is given the chance if he wants to take it to be involved as manager. "I think it is important now to get this sorted out as quickly as possible. "God forbid if we had lost on Sunday. It would have been a long two weeks before we play again and there would have been a lot of doom and gloom around. "Perhaps we have given ourselves a little bit of breathing space to sort the managerial situation out. "But I think, as a club and as a squad, we need to know now if it is going to be Kev or someone else. "Hopefully that will be sorted out in the next week or so." Young believes former Liverpool midfielder MacDonald has the qualities for the job despite his limited managerial experience. He said: "I've worked with Kevin and I know he knows football inside out and he knows tactics and formations and he can see what is going right and what is going wrong. "I've played under a few people who don't know half of what Kevin does so footballing-wise he knows his stuff. "It's whether he wants to take the stress and what becomes with being a first team manager."
| Posted on August 18, 2010 at 3:20 PM |
James Milner has completed his transfer to Manchester City, with Stephen Ireland joining Aston Villa.
The England midfielder, 24, has joined the big-spending Blues after a summer of speculation over his future, although Eastlands always seemed likely to be his ultimate destination.
Milner has signed a five-year contract and midfielder Ireland has joined Villa from City as part of the deal.
Roberto Mancini told the club's official website: "I am very happy to have James with us, everybody knows we have admired him for some time.
"He is an excellent midfielder who can play in a number of positions. This is important for the team and I am looking forward to seeing him play for us. We have a very strong squad and this signing is a very important one for us.
"James is already a very good player who has proved he can play at the very top level. But he is also young and a good character, I think he can also improve and be a great player for Manchester City for a long time."
Milner replaces Ireland as City's number seven, and Mancini added of the departing midfielder: "I hope things go well for Stevie at Villa.
"He is also a very good player and he has played a big part in City's history. I think he will enjoy the change of being at another club and I hope he does well for Aston Villa."
IRELAND WANTS TO BE A REAL SUCCESS ....
Stephen Ireland is determined to rebuild his career at Aston Villa after going from Player of the Year to benchwarmer in barely 12 months at Manchester City.
The Irishman was City's outstanding player in the 2008-09 campaign, and recognised as such by his team-mates, but a year later he found himself being ushered away by new manager Roberto Mancini and with little option but to move on.
He turns 24 on Sunday, and believes by leaving Eastlands as part of the deal which took James Milner to City he has taken his career in the right direction.
"I have plenty of personal ambitions," Ireland told www.avfc.co.uk.
"I want to get back to playing the way I can - I haven't played 90 minutes in nearly eight or nine months, which isn't normal really for me.
"I've kind of forgotten the feeling what it is like to come off after a game feeling tired, winning or losing. I'm not used to sitting out for so long.
"So for me, I want to get back to playing at the top of my game and I want to work hard for my team-mates.
"I want to see if my team-mates and myself can push on and achieve something massive this season.
"Hopefully I can come here and build on that and help Aston Villa push on to better targets and reach higher goals. Hopefully I can be of benefit to the team.
"I think we have got a good bunch of young lads here who can go on and achieve something for themselves and for the club as well. We've got a very good squad."
Ireland could embarrass City if he rediscovers his best form at Villa, having looked an outstanding prospect as a midfielder with an eye for goal under Mancini's predecessor Mark Hughes.
He has joined in a deal reportedly worth £8m, and may make his debut against Newcastle on his birthday this weekend.
Since taking over from Hughes at City, Mancini has continued to spend heavily on players thanks to the backing of owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan, with Ireland and Craig Bellamy, who moved on to Cardiff this week, effectively frozen out.
Villa owner Randy Lerner is unlikely to embark on such a spree, so Ireland can expect to have a run in the team, thanks to Milner's move in the opposite direction creating a vacancy in central midfield.
Ireland said: "My number one target is to work hard for my team-mates, show them what I can bring to the table, show them they can rely on me and that I am going to work hard for them week in, week out.
"When I get my chance to get on the ball, hopefully I'll shine as well.
"I am really excited. I have only been here a day but I know what it is about already.
"It is a family club, I've seen a lot of happy faces here and a lot of friendly faces, so I am really excited for the future here."
Villa caretaker-manager Kevin MacDonald was naturally disappointed to see Milner leave, but delighted to have Ireland on board.
Speaking in Vienna ahead of the first leg of Villa’s Europa League play-off clash with Rapid at the Gerhard Hanappi Stadium tomorrow, MacDonald said: “Stephen is a very talented young player who will complement the talented young players we already have.
“Hopefully Stephen will be as good for us as James was, and good luck to him at Manchester City.
“It’s sad to see James go, but it’s a great boost for the club that Stephen is coming in.”
Asked to highlight the differences between Ireland and Milner, MacDonald said: “Stephen’s slightly different from James, but both are intelligent footballers.
“Stephen is a more inventive player who can link up with people, gets in the box and scores a lot more goals, and hopefully he’ll do that for us.
“James has developed into a natural midfield player, Stephen has obviously played there most of his career, and from a young age.
“He probably understands the position a little more – not better – but a little more than James does, but they are two very fine footballers.”
| Posted on August 18, 2010 at 6:01 AM |
Aston Villa have made an approach for Polish international winger Kamil Grosicki.
The 22-year-old has won three caps, and impressed with his first division club Jagiellonia Bialystok.
Villa officials have now spoken with Bialystok president Cezary Kulesza about Grosicki, who is under contract until 2012.
Pole sitter: Villa have made an eqnuiry to sign international winger Kamil Grosicki
Italians Chievo, Turkish champions Bursaspor and Greek side Aris Salonika are also interested in the £600,000-rated player.
'I've had calls from various clubs, such as Aris FC and most recently Aston Villa,' Kulesza said.
'But for now all I've done has been to answer the phone - we have not yet received anything official in writing.'
Grosicki began his career with hometown club Pogon Szczecin, and had spells with Legia Warsaw and Swiss side Sion before joining Bialystok in 2008.
| Posted on August 15, 2010 at 6:19 AM |
Randy Lerner is willing to finance a deal to bring Tottenham paid Robbie Keane and David Bentley to Villa Park. With James Milner set to secure his long awaited move to Manchester City, a move that appeared to trigger Martin O’Neill’s resignation, the Aston Villa owner is ready to reinvest the money raised from the sale to help bring at least, if not both, White Hart Lane players.
Kevin MacDonald did his chances of getting the permanent position at the club no end of good by guiding his side past West Ham with ease and Lerner is happy to give up to £20 to help bring both long term Tottenham targets.
Harry Redknapp may well be willing to offload former Arsenal man David Bentley but may be less keen on selling Keane who has shown great form during the pre-season matches but is still not a first choice starter at the club. Both players may be excited by a move to a club who could offer a guaranteed run in the first team.
Martin O’Neill was linked with moves for both players during his tenure and it appears that MacDonald values the potential signing of both as well.
| Posted on August 13, 2010 at 9:15 AM |
Arsenal Marouane Chamakh (free, Bordeaux)
Philippe Senderos (free, Fulham)
Eduardo (£6m, Shakhtar Donetsk)
Sol Campbell (free, Newcastle United)
Bolton Wanderers Martin Petrov (free, Manchester City)
Robbie Blake (free, Burnley)
Chelsea : Yossi Benayoun (£4.5m, Liverpool)
Everton Jermaine Beckford (free, Leeds United)
Dan Gosling (free, Newcastle United)
Chris Smalling (£10m, Manchester United)
Liverpool Joe Cole (free)
Manchester United Javier Hernandez (£6m, Chivas de Guadalajara)
Manchester City Jerome Boateng (£11m, Hamburg SV)
David Silva (£25m, Valencia)
Yaya Toure (£28m, Barcelona)
Aleksandar Kolarov (£19m, Lazio)
Ballotelli £24 m ?
West Ham United Thomas Hitzlsperger (free, Lazio)
Wolverhampton Wanderers In: Steven Fletcher (£6.5m, Burnley)
| Posted on August 11, 2010 at 6:58 PM |
Blackpool are everyones 2nd team now lol, Marlon has mvoed there today.
| Posted on August 11, 2010 at 3:26 PM |
Fingers crossed, might be announced tomorrow
| Posted on August 11, 2010 at 3:11 PM |
Tottenham have opened talks with Aston Villa over a £20million move for Ashley Young but their bid to sign the winger could be scuppered by his £75,000-a-week wage demands.
It is understood that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has been talking to Villa executives for some time about a deal that would include striker Robbie Keane – valued at £11m – as a makeweight.
Young, 25, has made it clear he wants to move to White Hart Lane and Levy has told the player’s representatives that the Londoners are willing to offer a five-year contract that would match his current £65,000-a-week package.
Yet the England international wants a £3.9m-a-year-deal – or £75,000-a-week – that would make him the highest paid player at Spurs, above Luka Modric and Robbie Keane.
Levy is unwilling to break the club’s tight wage structure and the transfer remains some way off completion, particularly given the added uncertainty at Villa Park following Martin O’Neill’s resignation.
Spurs are hoping Young will lower his demands and that the carrot of Champions League football this season – assuming they overcome Young Boys Bern in a two-legged qualifier – will work in their favour. The winger, who signed from Watford for £9.6m in January 2007, has less than two years remaining on his Villa contract and has so far been reluctant to discuss a new deal.
With Martin O’Neill out of the picture there is a very real fear that Aston Villa will see their star players picked off one by one but at least if this deal was to come to fruition then they would get a proven Premier League marksman as part of the deal. Robbie Keane has been in fine form in pre-season and is a consistent goalscorer at the highest level and could work well alongside Gabriel Agbonlahor.
Ashley Young appears to be pushing for a move away from Villa Park and it looks very much like its a case of dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s and then Harry Redknapp will have started his summer spending.
| Posted on August 10, 2010 at 2:35 PM |
Liverpool are considering a double Villa Park swoop as Roy Hodgson looks to take advantage of the uncertainty at Aston Villa to help strengthen his squad. Hodgson is looking to bring Stephen Warnock and Stiliyan Petrov to the Merseyside club and with Martin O’Neill quitting the club yesterday the Anfield boss will be hoping to persuade both players to make the move north.
England international Warnock of course started his career at Liverpool but left after nine years trying to force his way into the first team reckoning. Since leaving the club the left back has gone from strength to strength first at Ewood Park and then at Villa. Hodgson persuaded Fabio Aurelio to re-sign for the club but he could well need another full back and may feel the 28 year old Ormskirk lad would be a better option.
Petrov followed O’Neill from Celtic to Villa and will not be pleased by his departure and indeed the reasons behind it. Hodgson had already been linked with a move for the 31 year old Bulgarian but his interest will have now increased following this weeks events.
Neither player would cost a large sum and the pair could be snapped up for around £14m and with Javier Mascherano set to leave the club Hodgson should have the funds to bring in new additions.
| Posted on August 10, 2010 at 2:17 PM |
Skysports.com understands Stephen Ireland is in talks with Aston Villa over a possible move from Manchester City.
Ireland has been linked with a move to Villa as part of the deal to take James Milner to Eastlands.
City are closing in on the signing of long-term target Milner and they are believed to be ready to offer £8million-rated Ireland in part-exchange for Milner.
Ireland's future at City has been the subject of speculation for some time with the 23-year-old struggling to hold down a place in Roberto Mancini's side last season.
The arrivals of David Silva and Yaya Toure have pushed Ireland further down the pecking order at Eastlands and the introudction of 25-man squads in the Premier League appears to have made the midfielder surplus to requirements.
Villa are keen on bringing the former Republic of Ireland international to Villa Park, despite the departure of Martin O'Neill earlier this week.
Ireland is believed to have held talks with Villa officials on Tuesday as he weighs up a move to the Midlands.
If Ireland agrees to make the move to Villa it could help pave the way for Milner to move in the opposite direction.