Aston Villa F.C Options

[Mikey]

What a loyal man and a top bloke, I do like Martinez...

[Dikefale11]

What about McLeish, leave team he relegated to go to there rivals haha nice....

[MIA ZOI]

David Moyes bookies favourite now. Interested to see if he does OK with some cash.


Alex McLeish in the merry go round to Everton. Amazing. Get surprisingly relegated with a decent squad and spend a shitload for a newly promoted team and still have a reputation in tact to move to a upper-mid table team.
Really amazing.

[Chris M]

What a loyal man and a top bloke, I do like Martinez...

This post has been edited by Chris M: Jun 13 2011, 02:46 PM

[Dikefale11]

Martinez has a black dick haha

[Stefanos_PAO13]

If I were Villa, I wouldn't touch Mcleish with a barge pole. Get Moyes instead.

Birmingham should go for Di Matteo or Chris Hughton. Everton should go for Mcleish and get relegated

[Mikey]

McLeish is officially the new manager, I wonder what Birmingham fans think of him now...

[Chris M]

Amazing. Get surprisingly relegated with a decent squad and spend a shitload for a newly promoted team and still have a reputation in tact to move to a upper-mid table team.
Really amazing.

Its true. West Ham taking on Avram Grant after he took Pompey down springs to mind.

Alex McLeish actually had a very strange mixed record tho, not all bad tbf. Obviously winning the league cup stands out for his positives, and in 2009-2010 they were practically mid-table and amazing home record. Yet in 3.5 years he took them down twice, including this season only 3 months after their historic league cup win. Really strange.

[Stefanos_PAO13]

McLeish is officially the new manager, I wonder what Birmingham fans think of him now...

I can tell you what the Villa fans think of him

But seriously, this is a bad move. He took Birmingham down twice. Surely the Villa board couldhave come up with a better man.

[RedRambo]

Ashley Young has cancelled his Wedding with his Long term partner


Probs distraught over the Mcleish appointment!!! Not like he is staying anyway

[Spilios]

so why would they go and appoint a manager of bham? it beggers belief... Rafa was looking for a job, would have been the smarter option in my opinion

[Chris M]

Shay Given close to agreeing a 3 year contract..

[green man]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_7037870,00.html

Villa agree Given fee
McLeish moves a step closer to signing experienced City keeper!....what a signing that would be!..far better than fridel!..things looking up for villa

[Spilios]

NZogbia bought in for 9.5mill, it was bound to happen after losing both young and downing... he will occupy one wing with albrighton on the other i would think... still tough for villa again this season

[Chris M]

Very good player actually Nzogbia..

This post has been edited by Chris M: Jul 30 2011, 04:28 PM

[RedRambo]

Youd wanna buy a Able-Enough replacement after receiving 20m+ for Downing. Lets hope we dont see the same defensive shit from Mclesih as we saw with his Birmingham, he actually has attacking player at Villa so hope he uses them correctly

Nzogbia vs Downing, i will be comparing them through the season

[Chris M]

Hilarious red card today at Villa Park

[Spilios]

It really has been a terrible few weeks in the EPL world... Hope he can beat it!

Aston Villa in shock as captain Petrov is diagnosed with acute leukaemia
Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov has been diagnosed with acute leukaemia.
He is now being treated in a London hospital, with the news coming as a shock to the West Midlands club.
Petrov, who has been a regular this season, hasn't trained since feeling sick with high temperatures in last weekend’s defeat at Arsenal.
A club statement read: 'We expect to learn more about Stiliyan's situation in due course and we have moved quickly to support him and his family.

'During this time we ask that Stiliyan's privacy is placed ahead of all inquiries and trust that we will share information as we receive it.
'Stiliyan is cherished by many and he will get from Villa every ounce of love and support that we have to help bring this to a positive conclusion.'
The 32-year old is a national hero in Bulgaria - after more than 100 caps - and a key figure in Aston Villa’s midfield.
While his family and friends tried to come to terms with the shock news, Petrov prepared for an immediate course of treatment and vowed to put everything into a gruelling battle to regain his health. Villa’s former Celtic midfielder prides himself on his fitness and sensed something was wrong at Arsenal last weekend, when he struggled to keep up with the pace of the game.
He reported his unusually low energy levels to Villa’s medical staff, who advised him to rest for a couple of days, in the belief he was suffering from a virus.

Fighter: Petrov (left) played for Villa in Saturday's defeat at Arsenal
When the symptoms persisted, a concerned Petrov underwent blood tests on Wednesday to try and determine the cause of his fatigue.
His and Villa’s worst fears were confirmed 48 hours later, when he was told he was suffering from leukaemia and was booked in for treatment that will begin this weekend.
Villa manager Alex McLeish believes Petrov - affectionately known as 'Stan' - has a fighting spirit that will help him in his battle to overcome leukaemia.
McLeish said: 'It's that old perspective cliche, but it's so true, and everybody here is behind Stan and a lot of the guys, everybody, will be shocked by the news.
'But he's a captain, he's a leader, he's a defiant guy and he's fought many battles on the pitch and I'm sure this is another one he'll win.
How does acute leukaemia develop?
All of our blood cells are produced by bone marrow, which is found inside the bones. Usually the bone marrow produces stem cells which are allowed to mature into 'adult' blood cells.
In cases of acute leukaemia, the affected bone marrow begins to release a large number of immature white blood cells that are known as blast cells.
The immature white blood cells begin to rapidly disrupt the normal balance of cells in the blood. This means that the body does not have enough red blood cells or platelet cells. This can cause symptoms of anaemia, such as tiredness, and increase the risk of excessive bleeding.
Also, as the white blood cells are not properly formed they become less effective at fighting bacteria and viruses, making you more vulnerable to infection.
The condition is more common in men than women and while the causes are unknown smoking and radiation exposure are known risk factors.
Acute leukaemia is fatal if left untreated because the blood supply will not function properly.
Treatment usually includes chemotherapy and radiotherapy. A bone marrow transplant may also be used. Cure rates depend on the subtype of leukaemia it is and can vary from 20 to 70 per cent.
If a cure is not possible, patients are vulnerable to life-threatening infections or uncontrolled serious bleeding.
'We certainly think it's in the early stages and Stan will get the best medical attention possible.
'I spoke to him and he was typical Stan, defiant, but I think obviously he's concerned about how its affected his loved ones.'
McLeish was unsure whether Petrov would be able to attend Saturday's home clash with Chelsea.
He added: 'He's away with the doc today and I'm not sure of the schedule. He's away to see another top specialist as we speak and I guess we'll know more tomorrow.
'I'm sure Stan will be rooting for the lads tomorrow and sending some of the vibes for the boys to be inspirational in this game against Chelsea.

'Will they want to win it for Stan? I think so. I know some of the players are already texting each other and saying that kind of thing to each other.'
A section of Villa fans have called off a planned protest before tomorrow's game.
McLeish said: 'I would like to think the club and fans will be united. I'm sure the fans will be galvanised with their support of Stan.'
Petrov was signed for Celtic by John Barnes. He was handed the Villa captaincy by former manager Martin O'Neill, under whom he had previously excelled at Celtic.
He took time to win over the Villa fans upon his arrival in 2006, before establishing himself as a key figure under O'Neill and his successors Gerard Houllier and current boss McLeish.
In 2008-09 Petrov was named players' player and supporters' player of the season at Villa Park.

Fighting spirit: Villa boss Alex McLeish has backed Petrov to beat leukaemia
In a statement on Celtic's website, manager Neil Lennon said: 'We are all absolutely devastated to hear this news. As a member of the Celtic family, it is important for Stiliyan to know that he has our unequivocal support in battling against this disease.
'Knowing Stiliyan as I do, and the many obstacles he has overcome in his life to get to the peak of his career, he will overcome this one too.
'On behalf of the players and the backroom staff we send our support and best wishes to Stiliyan, Paulina and the family. We are there for them all and they will never walk alone.'
The statement added that Lennon's coaching staff of Alan Thompson and Johan Mjallby, both former team-mates of Petrov as well, had both been left stunned by the news.
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell added: 'This is terrible news and our support and prayers go to Stiliyan, Paulina and their family at this very difficult time.
'Stiliyan was an exceptional player for Celtic and helped to bring incredible success here during the seven years he spent at the club.
'He was also one of the most popular players here, not only within the club but with all our supporters and I know that they, too will want to pass on their support and best wishes to Stiliyan and his family.'

Big hit: Petrov did well with Celtic before moving to Villa Park
Jermaine Jenas, a former team-mate of Petrov's at Villa, tweeted: 'Just saw the news about Stan Petrov one of the nicest guys in football! Thoughts with him and his lovely family.'
Villa striker Darren Bent was also on Twitter, saying: 'Really sad news to hear about our captain Stan Petrov. hopefully he'll be back fighting fit soon. Thoughts are with him and his family. KTF.'
Goalkeeper Shay Given tweeted: 'In shock about Stiliyan Petrov acute leukaemia but we are all here for him and his family. Please God he makes a full recovery.£prayforstan.'
PFA chairman Gordon Taylor promised all the help the players' union can provide to Petrov and has written to the Villa skipper to offer his support.
He said: 'It's a terrible shock, especially so soon after what has happened to Fabrice [Muamba]. All our thought and hopes with him. Stiliyan is a great character, a good leader, and we will give him all the help and support we can.
'Whenever I have met him I have been most impressed by him, he is a great gentleman, we are proud to have him as a PFA member and I just hope that, like Fabrice, he can come through it.'

[Dikefale11]

Wish him all the best! Loved him at Celtic.

[Gooner-Panatha]

Very sad news, lets hope he beats the shit out of it