Tag Archives: Villa

Villa set new boss terms

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Aston Villa (9/1 to finish in the Premier League top four) have announced they are looking to appoint a new manager in the near future, but it will be someone with proven Premier League experience.

Kevin MacDonald has been in caretaker charge since Martin O’Neill resigned five days before the start of this season, and his time in charge has been up-and-down.

An opening day win over West Ham was then followed by a 6-0 thumping at Newcastle and Villa’s elimination from Europe at the hands of Rapid Vienna.

The Villans managed a 1-0 win over Everton on Sunday thanks to a Luke Young goal, and it was expected a new manager would be in place by the time they face Stoke City (1/7 to be relegated) in their next Premier League game.

Name such as Bob Bradley, Ronald Koeman and Jurgen Klinsman have all been linked with the managers position, but a statement from the club’s chief executive Paul Faulkner seems to rule them out of the running.

His claim that the new man should have managed in the Premier League before could also seem to suggest that MacDonald might not remain in the Villa hot seat for much longer – though the current caretaker has stated he would inform club owner Randy Lerner on Tuesday if he wants the job permanently or not.

Faulkner said the club have “immersed” themselves in the process have “clearly” identified “key criteria” the new boss must have.

“Two of the traits we believe are of crucial importance are that candidates have experience of managing in the Premier League and a strategy for building on the existing strengths in our current squad,” he added.

“We have thoroughly researched potential candidates and have reached out to a variety of contacts we have within the game for advice and guidance, as well as keeping key staff at Villa Park informed and focused.

“We will now start the process of interviewing candidates we believe meet the key criteria required to manage Aston Villa with a view to making an appointment in the near future. Kevin MacDonald will continue as caretaker manager until that time. ”

One thing MacDonald could have to do before he relinquishes the hot seat is attempt to hold on to Ashley Young.

He has already seen James Milner leave for Manchester City and now Tottenham Hotspur are reported to be ready to move for Young before the transfer window closes (City 8/13, Spurs 11/4 to finish in the Premier League top four).

The loss of two star players for Villa in the space of a few weeks would be a big blow to the club’s fans and create a headache for whoever is appointed permanent manager in the near future.

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Bradley interested in Villa job

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Bob Bradley has broken his silence over the Aston Villa (9/5 for top six finish) managerial vacancy to say it is a job he would like.

The United States coach, who took his country to the second round in the World Cup in South Africa, says although he has had no formal talks over the position, his representatives have made contact with Villa.

Asked on BBC Radio Five Live’s Sportsweek programme whether he would be interested in the job, he said: “Of course, I think Aston Villa is a massive club with great history and a great following and those type of opportunities would of course be of interest.

“I would certainly be honoured to have that conversation but I’m impressed with the way things have been handled so far and we’ll see what the future holds.”

Villa (7/5 to beat the Toon) play Newcastle at St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon where they look for their second victory under caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald.

Bradley, 52, has a contract with the United States which runs until the end of the year, but he says is ambitious to manage in Europe.

He said: “I’ve always been excited about being a manager in Europe but at the same time I’m proud of the work we’ve done with the US team over the last four years. It is important to consider that as a challenge as well. So we’ll see what happens.

“There have been discussions with some of my representatives to at least find out the situation but Aston Villa seem to have taken a good stance where they have been patient.

“They have a very good man in Kevin MacDonald who is highly respected in the club so I think on the one hand they are probably putting a list together and on the other making sure Kevin has the time to consider his future as well. It has been handled very well.

“I had some people do some checking just to find out where things stood.”

Meanwhile, MacDonald admits he does not know if he would take the job on a full-time basis if he was offered it.

The experienced coach guided Villa to a 3-0 opening day victory over West Ham, followed by an impressive 1-1 draw away at Rapid Vienna in the Europa League in midweek.

However, the 49-year-old is unsure if he would take the job.

“If the results continue to be going reasonably well and Randy Lerner said that he wanted me to be considered alongside other people I would then push myself into the thought process of taking the job,” he said.

“But is that what I want to do and can I cope with it? At the present time Mr Lerner has said just keep doing the job. He realises just how much work is involved because of the lack of staff.

“From my point of view I have been concentrating so much on what has been going on that I’ve not had the opportunity to think whether I want this kind of job.

“I’m very wary that being a Premiership manager your life doesn’t become your own. You are in the public eye with every decision you make.

“That, along with all the other things, makes me wonder whether I want it 24 hours a day, seven days a week for however long it may be.”

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Bradley open to Villa switch

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USA coach Bob Bradley has admitted he would be open to a move into European club management in the wake of Martin O’Neill’s decision to step down as Aston Villa boss (Villa 15/8 to secure a top-six finish).

O’Neill made the decision to quit the club after four years in charge at Villa Park and as yet no reason has been given for his departure, just days before the new season kicks off.

It has been speculated the former Celtic and Leicester boss may have stepped down over the club’s sale of James Milner, with the England midfielder expected to sign for Manchester City after the Three Lion’s friendly with Hungary on Wednesday for a fee of around £24million.

Tottenham are also said to be keen on Villa winger Ashley Young and although little is known about any potential deal involving Young, the wider media have suggested that O’Neill is said to be disappointed the club are planning to sell his star players without giving him a sufficient budget to draft in replacements.

Villa’s American owner, Randy Lerner, is now on the look-out for a replacement and his compatriot Bradley is among the early contenders to take over at Villa, with the USA coach admitting he would welcome a move to Europe at some point.

“I have said over and over as well that I am always excited about new and different challenges,” said Bradley.

“Certainly coaching in Europe at some point is something that I would love to do.”

However, Bradley did not rule out the possibility that he would remain with the USA and lead them through their qualification campaign for the 2014 World Cup.

The USA take on Brazil, who will host the 2014 tournament, in a friendly on Wednesday and Bradley is expected to make a decision regarding his future following the tie (USA 3/1, draw 9/4, Brazil 4/5).

He added: “At the same time, I also consider it a challenge when you finish one (World Cup ) cycle and begin the process of working on another one. From the time one World Cup ends, you begin to go through the process of assessing where you are.”

Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has also been linked with the vacant manager’s position at Villa Park, while Martin Jol and Slaven Bilic have also been suggested as possible candidates.

Reserve team coach Kevin MacDonald will take charge for Villa’s season opener against West Ham (Match Betting – Villa 8/11, draw 12/5, West Ham 16/5).

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O’Neill walks out on Villa

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Aston Villa are 7/1 to finish in the top four this season but their hopes have been blown away with the news that Martin O’Neill has sensationally quit the club.

Speculation over the future of O’Neill has been rumbling on all summer but the decision could not come at a worse time for the club with the new Premier League season just days away.

O’Neill has worked wonders during his time at Aston Villa and even though they failed to qualify for the Champions League, he moved them on to the next level when finishing in the top seven to qualify for the Europa League.

However it seems as though trouble has been brewing behind the scenes with American owner Randy Lerner and there were stories towards the end of last season that he was ready to quit Villa Park.

They turned out to be false but everything has now come to a head and O’Neill has now decided to walk away.

A statement from O’Neill revealed: “I have enjoyed my time at Aston Villa immensely. It’s obviously a wrench to be leaving such a magnificent club. I would like to pay tribute to the Villa players, my coaching staff and the Villa supporters for all the support and encouragement they have given both the club and me personally during my time as manager.

“I wish them all the best for the future. I will obviously be assisting the club in the immediate short-term with regard to the handover of my duties.”

O’Neill has not gone into detail but it is thought the imminent sale of James Milner to Manchester City was the final straw. The Irishman would have been hoping for cash to take Villa into the Champions League but he has yet to make a single signing and is set to lose his best player.

Gareth Barry also left the club for Manchester City last summer and O’Neill may think he has taken the club as far as he can with the support available.

The race will now be on for his successor and although they will be queuing up for the post there are not too many available names that would excite the Villa faithful.

Villa are 4/6 to beat West Ham at Villa Park on the opening day of the season but with the club in disarray, the Hammers may be fancying their chances.

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Villa and City in Milner deadlock

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Aston Villa (7/1 to finish in the top four) boss Martin O’Neill has revealed that the club have not been able to agree a valuation with Manchester City over midfielder James Milner.

The former Leeds United academy player has been linked all summer with a move to Eastlands and there have been suggestions that the attacking midfielder wants to leave Villa.

City had an initial £20m bid for Milner turned down as the Midlands club believe the player to be worth at least £24m.

Villa manager O’Neill has stated that the two clubs are at a stalemate over the player and is uncertain of what might happen in the future.

He said: “The latest state of play is Manchester City have gone as far as they want to.

“We’ll wait with baited breath on that one, myself included.”

Milner had an excellent season last year at Villa Park and was reported to have attracted interest from other Premier League clubs including Liverpool and Manchester United.

Villa will be desperate to keep hold of the England international who was one of only a few players to impress in the Three Lions’ dismal World Cup tournament.

O’Neill is keen to see the goalscoring midfielder as Villa (16/1 to win the FA Cup) continue to push for cup honours and compete in the top half of the Premier League.

He said: “I think obviously the overriding opinion of all Villa fans is that they would love James to stay at the football club.

“But as I speak here now at this minute, my honest opinion, I cannot guarantee that, but we will see.”

Villa have not yet made a move in the transfer market this summer and fans will be hoping the club can keep hold of their best players and add to the squad.

O’Neill is aiming to ensure that the likes of Ashley Young and Milner stay, but he does appreciate why players move on to the big clubs.

He said: “I can understand totally that players would be affected by offers from Manchester City, particularly in this day and age where it looks as if they can get who they want.”

Villa begin their Premier League campaign when they take on West Ham United at Villa Park on August 14.

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Villa eyes Fab move

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Barcelona new boy David Villa has become the latest Nou Camp star to throw his weight fully behind the Catalans’ bid to sign Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas (Barca 4/5f  – La Liga 2010/11 Outright).

Fabregas, 23, famously came through the youth system at Barca before making the move to the Gunners as a teenager where he has established himself in the Premier League.

But now Barcelona want the midfielder back in their fold and have already seen a £25m bid rejected by Arsenal who are thought to want closer to the £40m mark for the Spain international.

And Villa, who arrived from Valencia earlier in the summer, admits it is a no-brainer.

“I am not the Barcelona coach, nor the person responsible for reinforcements, but personally I will do the maximum to get Cesc here,” he told The Sun.

“He wants to play here and it will be quite normal if Arsenal finally do a deal.

“That would be great. A player of his ability will only increase our power and his presence will be great for all the forwards.

“He’ll help Xavi and (Andres) Iniesta, and I’ll score more goals with him in the side.”

As with Spain, quite where Fabregas would fit into the Barcelona XI remains to be seen , although Andres Iniesta’s trouble with injuries over the last 12 months means he would be a valuable addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Barcelona are bidding for their third La Liga title on the bounce this season – a feat that has not been achieved in Spain since 1992/93 when Barca themselves secured a hat-trick on their way to four consecutive championships.

La Liga is again widely expected to be a two-horse race, with Barcelona and Real Madrid (evens) neck and neck in the betting.

A club outside the ‘Big Two’ has won the Spanish title on just four occasions over the last 25 years and Sevilla at 28/1 are the shortest price from the chasing pack.

Meanwhile, Manchester United are being tipped to offer defender Nemanja Vidic a new four-year deal worth around £90,000 a week to keep him out of the clutches of new Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho.

The Portuguese will be expected to make a serious title challenge in his first season at the Bernabeu while the Champions League is also a top priority, as always, for Los Blancos (Real Madrid 4/1 – Champions League 2010/11 Outright).

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Villa hails Spain consistency

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Spain striker David VillaStriker David Villa insists it is a case of evolution and not revolution as Spain look to add World Cup glory to their Euro 2008 title (Villa 11/8 – Top Spain Goalscorer).

After years of under-achievement, Spain finally cast off their reputation to win the European Championships two years ago, with Villa ending up as top scorer with four goals to his name although he missed the final with a thigh problem.

Spain have been drawn in Group H alongside Switzerland, Honduras and Chile, with Villa, who joined Barcelona from Valencia earlier in the summer, admitting it is somewhat of a voyage into the unknown (Spain 2/9 to win their group).

The 28-year-old told FIFA’s website: “We could have been drawn against theoretically tougher opponents, but they’re still going make life difficult for us.

“We don’t know much about Honduras, but they’re a solid unit and deserved to reach the World Cup.

“Switzerland are young, dynamic and play a more European style. In my view, Chile are the most dangerous group rivals given their great performance in South American Zone qualifying.

“They’re a very compact team, very competitive and also very dangerous going forward.”

Spain’s Euro 2008-winning squad featured the likes of Iker Casillas, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol, David Silva and Fernando Torres, and the vast majority of Luis Aragones’ squad are on board again under Vicente del Bosque.

The new faces are Victor Valdes, Gerard Pique, Juan Mata, Javi Martinez, Jesus Navas, Pedro Rodriguez and Fernando Llorente – and Villa claims the squad is a settled place to be ahead of the World Cup.

He added: “A few things have been tweaked, but the structure of the team remains intact.

“We’ve got plenty of football still in us, a lot of seasons still to play together and we’ve already won trophies. This team is a continuation of the previous one.”

Villa (8/1f) looks set to partner Liverpool’s Torres (14/1) up front and the Barcelona man claims it’s a marriage made in heaven.

Villa revealed: “We’ve been playing together for a long time now. The fact that we get on well together makes a difference out on the field.

“That’s not vital because at the end of the day you only really need to click on the pitch, but because we’re friends it makes everything very positive.

“The way he plays really brings the best out of me and vice-versa. We’ve got a good partnership and have been proving that for some time.”

Only Germany in 1974 have followed up a European Championships win with a World Cup victory.

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