5 Players Villa should sign

Name: Per Mertesacker
Age: 24 Years old
Position: Centre Back
Nationality: German
Caps: 55
Valuation: 12 million

One of the biggest tasks facing Martin O'Neill is finding a replacement for Martin Laursen. Villa have also failed to replace talisman Olof Mellberg from the previous season, while Cuellar has at times looked good and Davies still holds bags of potential the end of season avalanche has shown that neither can be relied upon for leadership at the back. Cue Mertesacker, for me the giant German would be the perfect signing to replace our two Scandinavians. At the young age of 24 Mertesacker already has an incredible amount of experience playing against the worlds best. Unbeatable in the air and solid on the ground he could handle just about any striker in the league. Aquiring Mertesacker would be difficult but not impossible. Currently at Werder Bremen the player is believed to be of interest to both Bayern Munich and Milan but could the bright lights of the Premiership and a guaranteed place in the side lure the German? A huge bid for Mertesacker would be a statement of intent for Villa and he is surely the type of player we should be looking at to move forward.

Crap alternative: Robert Huth



Name: Thomas Hitzlsperger
Age: 27
Position: Central Midfield
Nationality: German
Caps: 45
Valuation: 7 million

 

"Der Hammer" once a hero of the Holte End, could he return to the club he started his career at and why should we be interested? Most Villa fans have fond memories of the German with the huge left foot who left Villa in 2005. However, many will be quick to point out the holes he had in his game, slow to the ball, too quick to shoot, lacking vision, still Hitzlsperger's value at the time outpaced Villa's ability to pay him and he left the club seeking better wages. The years passed and the player improved winning the Bundesliga with Stuttgart and claiming the captaincy while getting to the semi-finals of the World Cup and final of the European Championships with Germany. Today the German with the Brummie accent is a quality all-round player who leads from the center of the park, dictates the pace of the game, bags the odd wonder goal and can deliver a hell of a ball. Hiltzberger also retains a strong love for Villa having returned to Villa park many times as a spectator he has also stated how much he would love to be back in Claret and Blue. With the departure of Barry we need a player with many of the same qualities, international experience, proven premiership ability and strong leadership. Bring home Der Hammer! This season Hitzlsperger did what Barry could not and led his team to the Champions League it may be difficult for him to give up the opportunity to swap that stage for the Europa League next season.

Crap alternative: Any player we already have.

Name: Tuncay Şanlı
Age: 27
Position: Midfield/Forward/Utility
Nationality: Turkish
Caps: 65
Valuation: 5 million

 

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Tuncay is energy, the Middlesbrough star is full of it, chasing every ball and more often than not getting to them. This year he was undoubtedly the only bright spark in an otherwise dull team. I will be spanked for saying this but as a player he has always reminded me of Paul Merson, that solid work ethic coupled with a touch of class. Tuncay can make something magic out of nothing and that is something we really are missing from the team. The difficult question is where on Earth do we play him? Not an out-and-out striker not a winger, sometimes he plays in the hole, sometimes in the middle, still such flexibility would greatly add to our squad for me this ones a no brainer. His club are down, he is leaving, he wont be too expensive, sign him.

Crap alternative: Somebody from Scotland

Name: Joe Cole
Age: 27
Position: Winger
Nationality: English
Caps: 53
Valuation: 8 Million

 

Joe Cole needs to leave Chelsea, with a change in management his place is now uncertain and Cole needs to get games if he is going to make it to the World Cup next Summer. However there is concern over the extent of the knee injury that ended his season early but should the prognosis ensure he is fit for the start of next season, Villa would be the perfect place for him to rekindle his career and get into Capello's reckoning. Wages may pose a problem for Villa along with the age old question of switching the London social scene for Birmingham especially if soon to be Mrs Cole: Carly Zucker has anything to say but if Joe Cole wants to save his footballing career the Villa door awaits.

Crap alternative: Somebody from Tottenham

Name: Leighton Baines
Age: 24
Position: Left Back
Nationality: English
Caps: None
Valuation: 7 Million

 

It was a breakthrough year for the Everton full back who was a pivotal part of the resurgence during the second half of the season. Baines is the second best English left back after Ashley Cole but ahead of Wayne Bridge. With Everton continuing to struggle financially we could take the opportunity to strengthen our squad while weakening theirs with the addition of Baines. It's difficult to know if Baines would move to us and for how much Everton would be willing to sell but the return of the Yobo/Jagielka partnership will surely push Lescott back out wide forcing Baines back to the bench. Worth a punt.

Crap alternative: Martin O'Neill playing somebody, anybody out of position.

NY Villans Update Premiership Finale

On Sunday we have the chance to send Newcastle United packing from the Premiership and perhaps due to their financial state into potential administration. This would be by far the biggest relegation since Leeds United slipped into obscurity but to be fair it has been coming for quite some time. Newcastle were never a big club by any stretch of the imagination despite a rather good start to their history with 4 league titles prior to 1910 and one further success in 1927, from that point onwards Newcastle suffered a period of supreme mediocrity with the exception of some FA Cup success in the 1950's. By the time the Premiership was formed Newcastle had just barely avoided relegation from the old second division. The next season was to see a dramatic turnaround in their fortunes. Under Kevin Keagan Newcastle returned to the top flight of English football where they have remained to this point. 

Now before I proceed any further I must admit I do have some good friends who are Newcastle fans and I have always found in general that they are a group of supporters who have a great passion for the sport and deep knowledge of the game but with those positives comes Newcastle's great failing they are delusional when it comes to their own club.

In the early 80's Newcastle United had hit the small time, their average attendance was a measly 16,000 but in the new Keagan led Premiership era, interest in the team soared and their stadium went through a series of massive expansions to cope with the new interest. However, with the new interest came new expectations, expectations that were just too much for a small club who had not won a trophy in 50 years to cope with. Suddenly the circus began. Newcastle 12 points ahead of Man United in the 95-96 season suddenly began to believe their own media fueled hype and imploded. It played out dramatically in front of the cameras as Newcastle's manager (stroke messiah) Keven Keagan suffered what could only be described as a mental breakdown of legendary proportions. What followed was a chaotic merry-go-round of managers and expensive players fueled by massive supporter expectations and a desire for entertaining football above effective football.

Newcastle's supporters who had forgotten the long barren era where most of them hadn't bothered with the team suddenly became the most self obsessed and self important supporter group in football. The self proclaimed "Best supporters in the world" managed to annoy every other fan in English football which soon led to their once admired team of attacking footballers becoming the despised laughing stock of the Premiership.

So this Sunday the eyes of the footballing world will be firmly fixed on Villa Park and other than the Geordies everyone wants us to send them down. For Newcastle United the grim reality of the Championship might just be exactly what the club needs and it fans need. For so many years they have gripped onto that one crazy season in the 90's where they probably should have won the title and started considering themselves special, rather than enjoying the fact that their club was once again in the top flight, a luxury so many similar teams don't get to enjoy.

Villa versus Newcastle is live this Sunday from 11am Eastern on Setanta Sports, get to the pub and soak up the atmosphere, this will be a day of ups and downs.


The last home game of the season is always a bit special but Sundays game will come with a touch of sadness after the recent announcement that Martin Laursen has chosen to retire from football. Our Danish captain has suffered many years of injury and just when he thought he was finally over his terrible knee problems he damaged the other one. There can be no harder choice than for an athlete to hang up their boots. So many have made the wrong decision to continue playing and have paid a terrible price in later life as their legs suffered the consequences. Martin will be remembered as a great defender and a fearless competitor. There was no better aerial attacker from a dead ball situation and we were rewarded by many great headed goals. In his brief term as club captain he wore the armband with pride. We wish Martin many happy healthy years with his family and hope he stays involved with the club. There is a planned sendoff for him at Sunday's game and we can be sure that the Villa faithful will give him a farewell fit for a captain of this great club.

Also happening this Sunday will be the unveiling of Villa's new away kit. next seasons shirt will be a celebration of the 67 Villa players who have represented England the most from any club. Villa and Nike have put up a mini site to build the hype, you can visit it at: http://www.whenthenationcalls.com/

We would like to send our best wishes to General Krulak who is currently in hospital undergoing tests for a bacterial infection, hope you feel better soon General and there's no doubt all three points on Sunday will be the perfect cure!

Another piece of silverware came in the door yesterday as our reserves beat Sunderland 3-1 in front of an impressive crowd at Villa park to claim the FA Premier Reserve League title. Congrats to the young lions and Kevin MacDonald on the great success, many of these exciting young lads are on the verge of breaking into our first team and it's amusing to think of all the hype that surrounded Arsenals young reserve side this season that in the end finished nowhere, still no silverware at the Emerates. 

Finally I will be in Nevada's for the game on Sunday but if anyone fancies watching Leinster vs Leicester in rugby's European Cup final this Saturday come join us at the Red Lion on Bleeker and Thompson the game kicks off at noon.

There will be less frequent but equally informative updates throughout the summer hopefully they wont be to announce the signing of Titus Bramble

Up the Villa and have a great memorial Day Weekend!

NY Villans Update - Premiership Week 37

So another season comes to an end. Last year we were left waiting until the last day hoping we could stay above Blackburn and clinch the Intertoto Cup spot, this season having already qualified for Europe we have considerably less to play for over the last few games and it shows. The second half performance against Fulham last week was nothing short of lethargic (that may be the first time I've ever used that term) our players were physically at Craven Cottage for the game but unfortunately for us their minds were already in Tel Aviv, Zante, Saint Tropez, Basingstoke or whatever fancy location professional footballers spend their summer months. 

There's no guarantee that this weekends fixture against Middlesbrough will be any different. Boro who lost to Newcastle on Monday night are now on the brink of relegation a loss against us and a result for the Geordies at home to Fulham will send Gareth Southgates side into the gloomy depths of the Championship. Their only real hope for survival is to nick something off us then hope we do them a favour in our final fixture against Newcastle. Selfishly I hope that's exactly how it pans out. 

I have no real affection or dislike for either side but beating Boro on Saturday will effectively end the premiership season a week early, especially if Hull fail to overcome Bolton. In that case there's a chance that the only item to be decided on the final day of the season will be the burning question of who will finish 7th. Bollocks to that I want the season to finish on an exciting end and what better way to do that than have Villa host Newcastle in a game that decides if the Geordies stay up or fall into the Abyss. That is why my preferred result for Saturday is a draw. 

Villa vs Boro is live on Setanta Sports Xtra at 10am EST. For those of you going to the pub the Newcastle vs Fulham game will be shown alongside ours on plain old regular Setanta Sports, should be exciting but alas I'll be in Newport Rhode island for the weekend, if anyone knows a spot I can catch the action up there, then please let me know.

In other news...

As expected Stiliyan Petrov was the recipient of both the Supporters and Players Player of the year awards at the clubs annual awards dinner on Tuesday night. Other awards we handed out to John Carew for goal of the season and Nathan Delfouneso for young player of the season. Personally I would like to see the whole event spiced up with the introduction of awards for failure where players are publicly humiliated for their mistakes. Suggestions:
The Savo Milosevic award for miss of the season.
The David James award for utter incompetence.
The Bosko Balaban shit signing award.
For those supporters lucky enough to attend the highlight of the night was John Carew's acceptance speech in which he said that without the fans support the players would probably be working at McDonald's except for Heskey who's haircut suggests he'd be working in a kebab shop.

Another year, another movie to promote, another opportunity for fellow US Villa supporter Tom Hanks to publicly profess his love for the team. Last year he was dancing down the red carpet with a scarf, this year he's talking to Johnathan Ross:
http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/2500685/ about a minute into the video.
Very amusing interview, Tom playing up the American soccer "fan" stereotype. Almost like a accurate portrayal of you typical Nevada's Arsenal fan. Have no doubts he knows a lot more than he's admitting to but he's paid to act and entertain not provide football punditry.

Speaking of Pundits, FSC's very own Steven Cohen landed himself in deep water with local Liverpool fans after it emerged he made some controversial comments about the Hillsborough disaster on his radio show. I'm not a fan of Cohen, he's always talked a load of rubbish and this is no exception especially considering the timing as Liverpool fans were commemorating the 20th anniversary of the disaster. In all fairness as a radio host you fully expect ignorant and controversial opinions to be spouted, that's what drives your ratings and Liverpool fans were fully entitled to feel upset. Unfortunately doing themselves no favours it appears that a number of Liverpool fans decided it was a smart idea rather than join the majority in boycotting Cohen's show to instead send him Death threats, threaten his family, send ani-semetic remarks and threats to burn down his house. Rather embarrassing on both sides and counter productive to the continued growth and promotion of the game over here.

Once again we are faced with a slew of worthless transfer rumours, this weeks batch are heavily focused on players going out and are probably not worth the bother of me typing them out. First up apparently AC Milan and Man UTD are interested in Garreth Barry, well that is according to some Villa players mingling with fans at the awards dinner. Barry himself did not attend due to illness (he's was suffering from an acute aversion to questions from fans over his future). Next up Craig Gardner to Birmingham City for 2.5 million, complete rubbish in my opinion, I like Gardner hard worker naturally gifted and able to play in a number of positions, we would be mad to let him go. Finally the usual Ashley Young link, this time it's Chelsea with suggestions that he will be supposed new coach Carlo Ancelotti’s main target. Thanks for the interest Roman we will take 20 Million plus Joe Cole and Malouda.

Finally Martin O'Neill has been warned by the FA over his future conduct for lashing out at rubbish ref Mike Riley following Villa's 3-2 defeat to Man United. it is understood that Martin accused Riley of exchanging frilly knickers and being erotically spanked by Alex Ferguson during half time which under article 13 sub category 4 of the revised FA regulations by A.Ferguson is perfectly acceptable behavior provided one of the participants is Alex Ferguson.

Up the Villa!

Donal.

NY Villans Update - Premiership Week 33

Last weekends game wasn't dull was it? Has the blinding 3-3 draw at home to Everton done enough to reverse the downward spiral Villa has been experiencing in recent months? It bloody better have. Next up another home game this time it's Gianfranco Zola's Aston Villa tribute band West Ham United coming to town. I had written the financially troubled Hammers off as relegation fodder earlier this season but Zola has done an outstanding job getting them up to 7th place and in strong contention for a place in Europe. Our last game against West Ham was in December as far as I remember it was a poor match and we barely scrapped it thanks to an own goal. Feels like a long time since we actually had some luck in a match. Some injury concerns for Agbonlahor who is suffering from hamstring problems and will probably miss this one, maybe more. I'd love to see Delfouseno getting a start in his place but O'Neill may well opt for Heskey instead or an outside bet on Sidwell coming in for a 4-5-1. Either way there's no way he can drop Carew who has been banging them in for fun recently unfortunately not at the same rate our defence has been leaking them. This one is Live on Setanta Sports at 10 am Eastern with coverage starting a half an hour earlier for those of you who enjoy really crap coverage.

Last calls for the Newcastle game, anyone who needs tickets please tell us now or it will be too late and good luck to those going hope you have a great time.

After the game our travelling fans will be attending a dinner where the worlds Supporters club's will be honouring their player of the season, votes must be in by Monday this is a collective decision so please let us know your choice before then, simply email us the name of the player whom you think is worthy of the title, so get a vote in. My choice since I can't choose Wilfred Bouma is Petrov for consistency, so there, unless somebody else votes Petrov is currently the front runner by 1 vote to nil, lets hear them lads. If there is a tie then Isiah Osbourne will automatically be selected as our player of the season so there better not be a tie.

In other news as many people predicted Martin Laursen will not be back playing before the end of the season following more knee trouble, still no word on Bouma who had a minor setback. Both Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonlahor are in contention for the PFA Young Player of the Year Award against stiff competition from Man City's Stephen Ireland who in my opinion should walk it. Last time we won the award was Garry Shaw in 1981 following a win for Andy Gray 4 years before.

I would have an update on the Fantasy Football standings but my wife continues to be kicking my arse so I'm now officially retired from said activity.

Finally here's some pictures from today's training at Bodymoor that appear on the club site, the players look to be in good spirits for a change: http://www.avfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~1629565,00.html

On the radar more info in the next few mail blasts: Supporters Shield Tournament at Giants Stadium, NYVillans Annual General Meeting, NYVillans Annual General Pissup, group trip to see the Red Bulls, NYVillans T-Shirts, Bob being positive, Heskey scoring a goal, Mike Riley admitting he is a Man Utd supporter.

NY Villans Update - Premiership Week 32

Villa vs Everton is a remarkable fixture, two of footballs historic giants playing for the 187th time. The very first clash resulted in a 2-1 win for Villa. In this the most played fixture in football, it was against Everton that we lost for the very first time in the football league 0-2 at Anfield (originally Everton's stadium until the Liverpool FC rose from the sewer) and the record between the clubs is equally remarkable. Villa have beaten Everton 71 times, Everton have beaten Villa 70 times with 46 draws. There is a one game difference between the clubs over a period of 113 years in our favour but old history aside recent fixtures between both clubs have been equally remarkable. Many will consider our 2-3 comeback victory at Goodison Park in December with Ashley Young's last minute stunner as our moment of the season but it may be the later FA Cup fixture that has proven to be the more significant.

After a fantastic run of results stretching over 15 games a somewhat disinterested Villa team stepped out at home to face Everton in the FA Cup. At this point in the season we were commanding a Champions League spot and the FA Cup no longer seemed that worthwhile 90 minutes later our run of form had ended in a Three one defeat and one of the poorest performances all season. From there it was downhill played 9, drawn 2 and lost 7. Did we upset the gods of football by barely turning up for the oldest competition in the sport? Perhaps the players heads dropped during that match and haven't lifted since? Here we stand 2 months later and not a win, can the Grand old fixture of League Football be the place where our fortunes change once again? Easter Sunday 9am Live on Setanta Sports Xtra, note the Xtra as opposed to the regular Setanta channel that will be showing the delayed Broadcast at 12:30 EST some Setanta subscriptions don't include Xtra so be sure to check before you make plans. Despite the Holiday, beers will of course be flowing at Nevada's and I full expect John and Toni to be bringing a Dental travesty's worth of Cadbury chocolate to the bar (they had bloody better).

Quickly jumping to other news, last Weekends game was painfully akin to a sharp kick in the nuts while been burned alive and the FA yesterday had the cheek to charge Martin O'Neill with misconduct after giving the officials abuse. The same officials that bent over backwards to ensure Man United got maximum points, at times you wonder why we still follow this charade that is the Premier League, personally I'm still holding out for Zombie McGregor to rise from his grave and dish out ice cold justice.

We beat the Blues on Tuesday!!!! It was a friendly behind closed doors featuring our subs Knight, Sidwell, Reo-Coker, etc. Delfounseo scored the only goal to seal it. Despite the game meaning nothing we might as well enjoy the fact that proper order is being observed between the two clubs.

Looking ahead at fixtures we will actually be having a Saturday 10am live game against West Ham on Setanta next week, a novelty in this age of games being played at everytime but the traditional 3pm GMT Saturday slot.

Finally congrats to Chicago Villans Scott and Vicky on a newborn baby!

NY Villans Update - Premiership Week 30 Liverpool.

These updates are becoming increasingly harder to write as each week we appear to watch Villa get poorer and poorer. The Tottenham game was a particular frustration to me and marks the first time in the 23 years I have supported the team that I have walked out in the middle of a game in disgust. I lasted all of 70 minutes at which point I grabbed my jacket and went for a stroll. It's funny all those years and all those games through Graham Taylor MKI, Dr No, Big Ron, Little Brian, JG, Graham Taylor MkII minus his marbles and the roller coaster of excuses that was O'Leary through all that I pick probably our best season since Big Ron to walk out. And that's it, that is why every goal conceded and every loss hurts so bloody much these days because finally our ambitions have changed and we now believe that Villa to have a chance to reclaim their football throne and somehow we are pissing it away. By we, I have to place the blame purely on the shoulders of our manager, much in the same way I blame our recent successes on him. It baffles me that after being forced to call on him as a substitute in the past few Games, O'Neill would have had the common sense that maybe Carew needs to start or that in the worst form of his career maybe the best thing to do is not force Gabby to play every game. It is with terrible disappointment that when the call finally came for Gabby to be substituted I heard that the poor lad was boo'ed off the pitch. Now the manager comes out the next day to vent his disappointment and anger at such an occurrence. While personally I think it's disgusting to boo a player on your own team surely the fault is O'Neills for putting him in that position to begin with.

Rant over, onto the next game. the last time we played at Anfield was a heart breaker. After an own goal and a spectacular Marlon Harewood overhead kick put us 2-1 in front Peter Crouch scored a last gasp goal to steal a point for the scousers. it was made all the more painful by the numerous chances Villa missed leading up to the finale. This year Liverpool are a far more potent threat and to be fair we are a rather different team ourselves but it's hard to look at anything more than the same result from last year as our best hope this time around. And if we were to go there and snatch a point I for one would be celebrating it like I would a win.

This big one is Sunday at noon ET on FSC, we are having a special viewing trip to Hoboken New Jersey for this one. Mulligan's pub is the venue and should be fun having a change of surroundings for the day, we have a bunch of New Jersey people making the trip as well as many regulars from Nevada's. For those of you coming from the city we are going to meet on the South East corner of 14th street and 6th Ave to head over at 11am leaving at the latest by 11:10 everyone else we will see you at the bar: 159 First St. Hoboken between Bloomfield and Garden Streets. Anyone gets lost give me a call at 9175830851.

In other news Villa today announced our entry into The Peace Cup in Spain this July. The twelve club competition also features Juve, Real Madrid, Ajax, Lyon, Seville and Porto. While the competition should feature some exciting match ups and is for a good cause I can't help but feel this dashes our chances of having Villa back in the US for a preseason tour as we had hoped. The cup will be played between July 24th and August 2nd the same time period Villa came over to visit us two summers ago. Games will be played in Huelva, Seville, Jerez, Malaga and Madrid. 2 one legged league games, top team for the 4 groups playoff in a semi followed by a final.

Last up it's the oval ball game again, if anyone is interested in watching the Ireland vs Wales grand Slam decider on Saturday give me a shout. I'm hosting a few people in my flat and the more the merrier.

Up the Villa.

Donal.

NY Villans Update - Premiership Week 29 plus 2 events, St pats day and Hoboken.

We are in fourth place, have 10 games to play, a three point lead, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses. Hit it!

The Claret and Blues Brothers

Back to business after a nice little holiday in Dubai we are looking for the boys in Claret and blue to turn around the form that has evaded them in the last five games. The first half against Man City stands as one of the poorest performances I have seen by a Villa team ever. It was truly shocking and how we didn't go into half time 4 or 5 goals down was nothing short of a miracle. It was horrible to watch our four man midfield get completely overrun by City's five when the likes of Gardner and Reo Coker warmed the bench but thankfully we put up a bit more fight in the second half, saving me from a similar bout of depression caused by the Stoke collapse.

And hello? Here's an old friend returning to villa Park, the much loved Harry "Candleface" Redknapp and the North London Social Club. Our last encounter with Spurs was a 2-1 win in September that honestly I remember nothing about but they return to Villa park a different team than the shambles Juande Ramos put up against us that day. Back is our old scourge the player we should have signed back in the day Robbie Keane after one of the oddest transfer sagas in memory. In fact one of my first memories of drinking in Nevada's with a few lads who were later to become the NY Villans was watching a match against Spurs and seeing Keane coming off the bench. John Wittard the Nostradamus of our time says "He going to score" and sure enough he did. I didn't see Keane interviewed after the game but I imagine it went something like this:

Presenter: "Robbie your goal rescued the match, talk us through it?"
Robbie Keane: "Well eh, y'know, I wuz sitting on the bench and eh, y'know fair play to the manager he eh brought me on, and eh fair play to the eh lads y'know they did be playing there and eh fair play to the er fans y'know, err fair play"

If anyone wants an impression will be happy to do one Sunday unless he goes and scores again.

The game is live on FSC at 12 noon thanks to the 4 hour time difference due to DST being all over the place. No word on the squad yet but there's a chance my personal hero, the one and only man eating machine Freddy 'BallAndAll' Bouma might be in the squad. A lot more doubtful for a quick return is Laursen who has had yet another setback on his road to recovery, here's praying he doesn't join Mark Delaney in the glue factory. One would expect our stubborn manager will stick with the same rubbish lineup that started against Man City, fingers crossed he doesn't. Davies needs to be dropped, Cuellar needs to not play at right back, Heskey needs to get a clue, Ashley needs to learn a new trick and Gabby needs a sharp kick up the arse. Ten games to make the last 45 count for something and it starts on Sunday. Comon Villa!!

Something to share: Now we have all scratched our heads at one time or another as to what on Earth our manager is thinking. Well a new film will open later this month from the writer of Frost/Nixon on O'Neills late great mentor Brian Clough, there's a trailer here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/4967697/Brian-Clough-remembering-Cloughie.html but even better are the story's below remembering the madness that was the great manager. Give them a read and in doing so you might understand a little of what Martin O'Neill learned from him. Thanks to Terri for sending the link.

Coming up: Tuesday is Saint Patrick's Day and like many an Irishman I tend to make a big deal out of it. This year I'm taking over a bar with a couple of mates to celebrate the day. After years of being ripped off and drinking Guinness out of plastic cups at so called "Irish Bars" we decided to find a place that isn't Irish and does no business on St Patricks day then turn it into our own little shindig. So we have arranged to take over a bar/restaurant in the FlatIron area called Portfolio which after a heavy redecorating, alcohol restocking and revised jukebox will become Port O'Folio for the night. Party starts at 5:30pm and ends when common sense prevails, come along and bring whomever you want, there will be free munchies to soak up the river of booze. Tuesday March 17th, Portfolio Bar, 19th Street on the south side close to the corner of Fifth Ave, scaffolding overhead (unless they have removed it in the last week).

Coming up: We've talked and talked about it and now we are finally going to do it. Sunday March 22nd we are having our official excursion to New Jersey for the Liverpool match. For those of you scared to step into the wilderness it actually going to be in Hoboken essentially an extension of the city and only a stop away on the Path train. So come and join us as we wind up some scousers at Mulligan's http://mulligansonfirst.com/ 159 First St., Hoboken. About a 3 minute walk from the Path station. We would love to see those of you that are bound to their automobile and never get into the city as a result, that will not be a valid excuse for this game.

And sorry to those of you around the US for the local stuff that isn't relevant but if you are arranging anything in you area, have a view or opinion, anything at all you would like to share with the Villa fans across the US let us know and we will include it in the next update.

Up the Villa!

NY Villans Update - Premiership Week 26, UEFA Cup 2nd Leg.

We had two very big games this week the FA cup clash with Everton and the UEFA Cup clash with Moscow. It's funny at the start of the season I would have seen these games as crucial but now they almost seem insignificant compare to tomorrows fixture. Yes it's back to the league for the visit of Chelsea. When we went down 2-0 to them in October it was the best performance we have faced this season and at the time I was convinced Chelsea were going to walk the league but two weeks later they lose at home to Liverpool and their season spiraled out of control. Scolari who had been in charge barely long enough to find his way to the training ground was replaced by Russia coach Gus Hiddink. What bloody luck, we couldn't play Chelsea 2 weeks ago when they were in disarray instead we get them for the New Manager "honeymoon" period.

Regardless it was always going to be a tough test now made even more so by the unpredictable Hiddink factor. There had been rumours of splits in the camp and players throwing their toys out of the pram while Abramovich sees $9 billion dissapear from his worth but something about a new suit in the dougout somehow re-energizes a team, perhaps players feel their cushy pay check is threatened or had decided not to play for their old boss the same way my wife refuses to lift a finger around the kitchen.

Returning from injury we have both James Milner who was out of Wednesdays match with a thigh strain and Heskey who is believed to have recovered from the Achilles problem from the England Spain match. Still there is no news of Carlos Cuellar or Nigel Reo-Coker and Laursen is expected to remain out for the next 5/6 weeks. Expect Gardner to come in at at right-back.

Thankfully Chelsea are also a few down with the likes of Joe Cole, Essien, Carvalho and Alex out along with a suspended Ashley Cole.

Offer me a point and I'll take it. Game kicks off at the break of dawn 7:45 am Eastern not as bad as 4:45 Western. Match is on Setanta directly preceding Arsenal vs Sunderland another huge game for deciding the top 4. Choir master Forrester will be at the pub so bring your singing voices Nevadas people.


Next up is the return leg in crispy Moscow, this one is on Thursday and is live on Setanta at... wait for it... 11:45am Eastern, good luck skipping out of work for that hour. As usual we will arrange for the 6pm post work tape delay at Nevadas, for those of you around the country call your local boozer and they may be able to do you the same service. Remember because of the away goal rule we must score in Moscow, the only result that will eliminate us on away goals is 0-0, a result of 1-1 will push the game to extra time, 2-2 would be us winning on away goals. For this one the lads will be rubbing anti-freeze onto their chests rather than the usual Vics Vapour rub. In fairness the temperatures in Moscow differ little from what we get here in New York but while our cold is a dry cold, there they have a lot more moisture in the air so the damp mixed with the cold is nasty. Honestly we were all over them on Wednesday we just need that killer touch in front of goal, hopefully somebody can find it for this one.

Looking further ahead our following 2 games will also be live, that's Stoke on the 1st and Man City on the 4th. Down the line we have two fixture changes the April games against Man United and Everton have both been moved to Sunday for live TV however if Man U get drawn to play Champions League on the Tuesday then our game will roll back to the Saturday.

Newcastle game update: For those interested in travelling over to our last game of the season, Keith has arranged a group rate at the nitenite hotel http://www.nitenite.com/, located right by the New Street Station and the Mailbox, of £45.95 per room per night. To book call 0121 631 5550 and quote KEI23059. Bookings can be made on this code until 09/05/09 which is 14 days prior arrival. After this date guests can still book but at the rate of the day. Payment must be made at the time of booking, this is non refundable once booked. Once again if you are thinking of going drop us an email and let us know so that we have some idea of numbers.

Two final things, firstly an apology to Terri who was mad cause I didn't include her on the list of non-intimidating people to approach when newcomers visit Nevadas, sorry Terri although a fat load of good it would have done since you were too hungover to make the game.

Secondly Gavin made me aware of this on Wednesday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYRSFTJ6_uQ Radio station rings up Chelsea Chief Executive Peter Kenyon pretending to be Villa legend and all round dodgy manager Steve Staunton applying for the vacant managerial position, brilliant windup.

Up the Villa.

New York Villans Update - FA Cup and UEFA Cup

Double cup action this week, how long has it been since Villa have been able to say that this late into the season? Both matches will be a massive challenge for the team and first up is Everton. Considering the history of both clubs and the fact that Villa vs Everton is famously the most played top level league fixture we have only been drawn against them 7 times since we first entered the cup in 1879. The last time we faced them in the cup was en route to our 2000 final winning 2-1 with goals from Steve Stone and Carbone. This time out it's unlikely we will be fielding such a strong team. Already out is Garreth Barry with a suspension, Carlos Ceullar and Nigel Reo-Coker are doubtful. Luke Young may still be nursing his toe after hurting it at the England training camp meanwhile Martin O'Neill is furious over Heskey starting against Spain. Emile had suffered an Achilles injury against Blackburn and it flared up during the Spanish game which O'Neill believes the England medical staff should not have passed him fit to play.
Coverage begins at 9:20 am Eastern Time on Setanta Sports.

Setanta will be showing delayed coverage of our next game on Wednesday as we host CSKA Moscow. This one will start at 6pm Eastern. The Nevada Smiths website has this one marked down for live coverage at 3pm, not sure about this, I've looked around and can't find anyone broadcasting it at that time so be wary as this may be a mistake. Keep an eye on the Nevadas website for confirmation. As for those of us on the old 9-5 routine I'll be avoiding the score and in at 6pm for the delayed showing.

And that's it, absolutely nothing happening that's worth talking about. It's kind of dull here at the top of the league, not that we are complaining.

NY Villans Update - Premiership Week 24. Wigan.

Almost forgot to write this weeks update. Probably due to all the excitement in the transfer market, sarcasm btw. Three days of the extended transfer window left and only one signing in, granted the boy didn't do too badly last week scoring the winner on his debut. While our Emile isn't the type of flashy player that will sell shirts by the bucketload it not hard to see why MON would want him in the team. Tuesday's game was the type of banana skin fixture we rarely get anything from, Hesky is ideal for such fixtures with his brute force. Tomorrows game against Wigan is surely another occasion when Heskeys specialised set of skills will come in handy. We can be sure that our opposition will do what they usually do put men behind the ball and make things difficult. In such circumstances Gabby alone is like opening a bottle of wine with a safety pin, frustrating. However throw Heskey in there and it's like opening said bottle with a chainsaw, it's not pretty but brutally effective and with our currently league position I couldn't give a toss about prettiness just keep the points rolling in.

Tomorrows game is live on Fox Soccer Channel at 10am with Arsenal against West Ham on at the same time. Nevada goers I'm betting anything we will have the downstairs bar to ourselves, which is always a treat albeit we have to climb the stairs in order to mock the Arsenal plonkers. Since we have had so many new members recently, if you are in New York or nearby come watch the games with us at Nevada Smiths in Manhattan 3rd avenue at 11th street. If you are elsewhere and want to meet fellow Villa fans in your area, drop us a line and we will put you in contact with each other. Back to the fixture in question:

Expect the same team as we saw Tuesday with possibly Reo-Coker filling in at right-back and the once again impressive Zat Knight back on the bench. Marlon Harewood is out with a foot injury (yeah right) and his place well... prepare for the return of.... BIG JOHN CAREW!! Yes our number 10 is back from 2 months of back treatment following 45 minutes against Derby behind closed doors. Also featuring in that match was Freddy 'ball and man' Bouma. I know as Doug would say, it's like 2 new signings!! Freddy will take a little more recuperation before returning to the squad and I can't wait to see him.

Two Villa greats will be remembered at tomorrows match Vic Crowe and Johnny Dixon. Johnny was of course the captain of our 1957 FA Cup winning team spending 16 years at the club. Vic missed the cup final through injury but later captained Villa back into the top flight with added success in the 1961 League Cup, he also managed Villa from 70 to 74 a period some of our more seasoned members remember. On a more local level Vic also managed the Portland Timbers in the North American Soccer League and had a profound success at making the game popular in the Pacific Northwest.

Not much other news to report Zoltan Steiber is gone to German second division side TuS Koblenz, it's sad as I thought he had bags of talent but was unable to develop enough physically for the English game. To think if he had spent just three weeks on my diet he would be bigger than Harewood (without the muscle).

We are still linked with a couple of random players: Micah Richards, Daniel Sturridge, some Belgian with the ridiculous name of Eden Hazard, Charles N'Zogbia and every English player born after 1974. On the other side Nicky Shorey could be on his way to Boro and Marlon Harewood could be on his way to the glue factory. Martin Laursen has retired from international football in order to extend his club career, he remains on the injury list and finally there is a new Facebook group petitioning for the Doug Ellis stand to be renamed the Moustafa Salifou stand, can't disagree with that.

Up the Villa.

...and one final word, like Springer's 'final thought' only completely different.

People keep saying we have been lucky recently, it's hard to disagree with that statement but what many people on the outside don't realise is how rubbish we have been performing. Since playing Man U in November our only decent performances have been against Arsenal and Bolton, every other match we have been well below our peak and the results have continued to pile in. What I have to say to those fans of rival clubs who are calling us "lucky?" What do you think will happen when we start playing well?

Donal.