WHUFC.com
20.12.2008
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United v Aston Villa
Boleyn Ground
Saturday 20 December
5.30pm
Referee: Mark Halsey
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Davenport, Upson, Ilunga, Collison (Tristan
84), Noble, Parker (Mullins 46), Behrami (Bowyer 57), Bellamy, Cole
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Boa Morte, Faubert, Di Michele
Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar (Reo-Coker 58), Davies, Laursen, Luke Young,
Petrov, Milner, Sidwell, Barry, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor
Subs not used: Guzan, Harewood, Delfouneso, Knight, Shorey, Gardner
Goal: Neill og, 78
An unfortunate own goal 12 minutes from time was enough to give Aston Villa
the win in east London on Saturday evening.
James Milner's cross deflected off Lucas Neill and dipped into the top
corner of the net, giving goalkeeper Robert Green absolutely no chance. It
was hard on United as they had shown plenty of attacking promise before the
strike.
Although James Collins returned to training this week from his calf injury,
he was not fit enough for the game so Gianfranco Zola named the same
starting XI that had performed so well in earning a 1-1 draw at Chelsea six
days earlier.
The hosts started in confident manner and had the first shot on goal seven
minutes in. Mark Noble's through ball sent Craig Bellamy clear but his shot
was comfortably saved by Brad Friedel. Two minutes later they nearly took
the lead again with a set-piece taken straight from Chadwell Heath. Noble's
deep cross saw Calum Davenport cushion a header back across to Neill who
volleyed left-footed straight at Friedel.
And the American - later named man-of-the-match - made it three saves in the
first 15 minutes as Matthew Upson's ball over the top put Bellamy in space
on the left. A burst of speed saw him to the edge of the six-yard-box and,
despite the tight angle, he placed a shot across goal which the Villa No1
did well to block.
The visitors came back into it and Steve Sidwell fired wide after a short
free-kick from the edge of the area. Then Gabriel Agbonlahor showed why he
has made such an impact on the Premier League this season, using his
electric pace to get away from Neill. His cut-back was too far behind Ashley
Young but just as Sidwell was about to shoot, Noble did just enough to force
him to fire wide.
The Midlanders then hit the Hammers' woodwork after a misplaced backpass by
Scott Parker set Ashley Young free in the area. Green came out quickly and
forced the England international wide but he still managed to get a shot in
which clipped the far post before rolling behind for a goal kick.
In a frantic finale to a frenetic first half, Behrami stung Friedel's hands
from 25 yards and then seconds later at the other it was his opposite number
who was impressing as he saved first from Milner and then Gareth Barry as
Villa broke dangerously. The 31,441 inside the Boleyn Ground had been
treated to an entertaining opening 45 minutes with plenty of goalmouth
action.
Zola made a change in personnel at the break by bringing on Hayden Mullins
for Parker. Within 40 seconds of the re-start the tireless Bellamy had
tested Friedel again. The Welshman had been involved in everything the hosts
had done going forward.
On 57 minutes United made another change as Lee Bowyer came on for Valon
Behrami, who was limping slightly as he left the field. Spanish right-back
Carlos Cuellar left the field a minute later to be replaced by former Hammer
Nigel Reo-Coker.
Reo-Coker barely had time to take his position as a left-footed cross from
Neill was headed over from close range by Carlton Cole. It was the same
scenario moments later as Villa's keeper kept the scores level again by
smothering Cole's close-range effort from Bellamy's low cross.
Mark Halsey got his cards out for the first time to caution the Hammers
captain for a foul with 24 minutes remaining and Milner followed him into
Halsey's notebook six minutes later for a foul on Ilunga. Davenport then had
to be alert to make a crucial tackle on as Ashley Young was poised to shoot
as the action hotted up again.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 78th minute as Villa took the lead
in hugely fortunate fashion. Milner cut outside Neill and attempted a cross
that clipped the defender and looped over the stranded Green. Bellamy was
then cautioned for dissent and will miss the visit of Stoke City on Sunday
week.
Diego Tristan was sent on for Collison with six minutes to go, while
Davenport was ordered up front as the home side threw everything at Villa,
but the ball would not just break the home side's way in the Villa penalty
area.
West Ham had given everything and were hugely unlucky to be beaten, a fact
recognised by the fact that many home supporters remained to applaud
United's players off the pitch after the final whistle.
Despite Saturday's setback, West Ham United will be looking to bounce back
and continue their excellent away form on Boxing Day when they travel south
to Portsmouth.
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Zola expecting better
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola knows that his team have it in them to push up the league
standings quickly
21.12.2008
Gianfranco Zola has spoken of his determination to turn performances into
points after his West Ham United more than matched high-flying Aston Villa.
With his team unbeaten in four games away from home, including draws with
Liverpool and Chelsea, Zola said it was frustrating to see his team then
compete with Villa only to lose out in a 1-0 loss. "It is hard, trust me,"
he said when asked to explain his immediate emotions. "It is difficult to
come off the pitch after you play a game like that and come away with
nothing.
"It is hard to describe for me. We had so many chances. We were playing
against the team that is fourth in the table and we are just one point from
relegation but you didn't see that on the pitch … the team is performing
well and creating chances, doing everything well but coming away with no
points.
"It makes me so upset like you can't even imagine. I'm upset, I'm frustrated
for my players because they deserve much better than this and the crowd
deserve much better than this. It is impossible that it will carry on like
this that's all I can say about this."
The manager, who substituted Scott Parker at half-time and then saw Valon
Behrami unable to continue with a back problem early in the second half,
said poor luck also played a part in the visitors' goal, a deflection off
Lucas Neill that gave Robert Green no chance. "We came down so many times
and had great chances but the ball didn't want to go in. they came down
once, the ball hits our defender and goes in the top corner.
"What can I do? I don't just give up, I need to be strong about this and
this is what I told my players. We have to start making our own luck. If a
team plays like this there is no way it can be like this forever and that's
what I can say. I am very sorry for them, they deserve better than this."
The manager knows a week can make a big difference in the Premier League
with Friday's Boxing Day visit to Portsmouth and next Sunday's home game
with Stoke City to come. In between, he is pledging plenty of work on
finishing to turn bright play into goals. "Certainly that is one of the
things we need to improve, I have said it many times. We are going to be
working on this and the players give 100 per cent all the time in training …
it won't be like this forever.
"I saw the players, they don't like this. I don't like this, I want to
react. We are not giving up on this. I'll make sure that when they come in
on Monday I will be pushing them. They know that they can help this and they
will work on how to make it right.
"We are maybe near the bottom but this is a very strange championship and if
you win a two games you find yourself in the middle of the table like
Sunderland. And I tell you it will be soon that this team will start scoring
more goals than we are doing."
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Upson ready to dig deep
WHUFC.com
Matthew Upson is fully committed to playing his part in lifting West Ham
United higher up the league table
22.12.2008
Matthew Upson has issued a rallying cry to his West Ham United team-mates
ahead of the busy Christmas period.
The England defender has been in consistent form this season, capping an
impressive series of displays for club and country with his first
international goal in the 2-1 win in Germany in November.
However, Upson's positive outlook on life was tested when James Milner's
freak strike deflected off Lucas Neill to hand Aston Villa a hugely
fortunate 1-0 Barclays Premier League victory at the Boleyn Ground last
Saturday. Defeat was harsh on a team who produced an encouraging all-round
performance for manager Gianfranco Zola.
With the busy festive period fast upon us, though, the 29-year-old believes
the Hammers can return to winning ways soon. Well known for his meticulous
preparation for every fixture, Upson has told his colleagues it is time to
do their talking on the pitch and start climbing up the table.
"I can't really explain how disappointing it is but we need to show a bit of
resilience and character. It's at times like this and tests like this that
really show you who you are as a team and as a group of people. So, it's up
to us dig deep and the manager to rally and get the approach right. There's
no reason why we can't get some good results.
"We played with a lot of energy against Aston Villa. Perhaps we didn't pass
the ball quite as well as we would have liked and I thought we could have
created more in the first half. But in the second half we came out and
looked the more likely team to win the game. So, to go down to a really
fluke goal like that was very disappointing."
Having drawn at Liverpool and Chelsea and also taken on Tottenham Hotspur
and Villa in December, West Ham now embark on a run of fixtures against
sides in the mid to lower reaches of the Premier League standings. United go
to Portsmouth on Boxing Day before taking on Stoke City at the Boleyn Ground
on 28 December and travelling to Newcastle United on 10 January next year.
However, Upson is adamant that the Hammers cannot afford to take any of
their opponents lightly.
"Personally, I don't pay any attention to that [the league table]. I prepare
for every game the same way. I just think it's all about how you approach
any team on any day. You can beat anyone if you're mentally focused and in
good physical condition."
One subject that does bring a broad smile to Upson's face is that of
spending his first Christmas with new-born son Elijah. With Zola bringing in
his players to train on Christmas Day evening, rather than the traditional
morning session, Upson and his team-mates will be able to remain with their
families for the majority of the day. Meanwhile, the fixture computer has
given the Premier League a day off on New Year's Day. Both are decisions
welcomed by the player.
"There is one less game this year which will be a bit of a lighter load
because normally it is a bit ridiculous. It's up to us to prepare and get
ready. It will be nice to be able to wake up on Christmas morning and spend
some time at home with the family. I've recently become a father so I'm
going to do the full Christmas morning thing and enjoy it."
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Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Training will be vital this week says Gianfranco Zola with two big games
coming up in quick succession
22.12.2008
It may be Christmas week but Gianfranco Zola and his squad are going to be
hard at work preparing for Portsmouth away on Friday and Stoke City at home
on Sunday.
After a run of four games that has seen his side more than hold their own in
turn against the nation's top three Liverpool, Chelsea and Aston Villa -
with Saturday's 1-0 reverse against the latter down to a large slice of bad
luck - Zola knows his side have what it takes. Although there is need for
the team to take their chances in the final third, the manager is confident
his side can put that right.
"It is a tight championship so anything can happen. It is strange and we are
very determined not to give into the situation. You can win two games and
you can be in mid-table. It is still there but we need to improve [our
finishing] because it is holding us up a lot. If we had scored four or five
more goals maybe we would be celebrated a minimum of four or five points
more."
The need for goals is paramount, with the team defending from the front in
superb style. Home form is also key, in order to match the resilience shown
away. "We played well [against Villa]. We tried everything, we created
chances but we can't get it going right now and so it is becoming a problem
but we are determined to change things around. We can't have this. We
deserve much better than this and we want to change things around.
"Portsmouth and Stoke are more or less in the same position and it is down
to us but in the Premier League you don't have easy games. So you need to
perform as well as we did against Aston Villa and convert the chances you
have." The tireless Carlton Cole and Craig Bellamy have been leading the
Hammers' attack of late and the manager said there was no faulting the
individual play or commitment from either.
"I have to say Bellamy is playing very well, Cole is as well but he needs to
be more focused on scoring goals. He knows that. I am going to be working on
his finishing every single day from now on until he is fed up with it." That
approach will apply to the whole squad with the festivities of the week put
aside in favour of first ensuring the travelling Boxing Day fans at Fratton
Park get the display they deserve.
"There is not really any time off for the players," Zola said. "It is a busy
time for us. We need to play two games and they are vital games. There is no
time for rest - just time for working and winning games."
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West Ham 0-1 Aston Villa
By Chris Bevan
BBC.co.uk
Aston Villa moved into third place in the Premier League after James
Milner's deflected late goal sank West Ham. An open first half saw Ashley
Young hit the post for Villa after running on to a poor Scott Parker
back-pass but West Ham dominated after the break. Carlton Cole headed an
easy chance over and was denied twice from close range by Villa goalkeeper
Brad Friedel. The visitors looked short of ideas until Milner's 78th-minute
cross looped off Lucas Neill and into the net. The goal was harsh on the
Hammers, who had looked by far the most likely to break the deadlock but
instead saw their miserable home form continue. Villa, meanwhile, move above
Manchester United and are now only four points behind leaders Liverpool,
although they have played more games than all of their title rivals. Martin
O'Neill's men arrived at Upton Park having enjoyed the luxury of resting
senior players in the midweek Uefa Cup defeat in Hamburg, their progress
already sealed in that competition. But, while the visitors may have been
refreshed, it still took them time to get into the swing of things and it
was the Hammers who began much the brighter. Craig Bellamy had already seen
one snap-shot saved by Friedel when he met Herita Ilunga's long ball and
fired in an angled effort that the goalkeeper did brilliantly to push away.
Neill should also have done far better when Calum Davenport headed a Mark
Noble free-kick into his path, swinging at the ball as it flew invitingly
across the six-yard box and seeing his mis-hit volley fly wide. An inability
to find the net is the root of the Hammers' problems this season - they
began the game just a point and a place above the relegation zone after
scoring only four goals in their previous 10 league games. And they were
handed an early warning about their wastefulness here as Villa began to wake
from their slumbers. Villa's first chance saw Steve Sidwell fire just wide
from Ashley Young's quickly-taken free-kick. Sidwell missed the target again
with another shot soon afterwards but only by a fraction after Gabriel
Agbonlahor capitalised on a heavy touch by Neill and escaped down the left
before sending in a low cross.
Suddenly Gianfranco Zola's side were under pressure and they did not help
their cause when Parker attempted to play the ball back to Green but instead
only found Ashley Young, who rounded Rob Green but then hit the outside of
the post. The visitors also had a case for a penalty when Neill tangled with
Gareth Barry as the ball flew over their heads inside the area and Green had
to keep out shots by Milner and Barry before the break. At that stage things
looked ominous for West Ham but, strangely, Villa lost their way completely
at the start of the second half. Ashley Young and Agbonlahor, so prominent
earlier on, disappeared from view and it was the Hammers who should have
taken the lead when Cole met Neill's cross at the far post but failed to
keep his header down with the goal gaping. Only a last-ditch Luke Young
tackle denied Cole again seconds later when he tried to meet Bellamy's cross
at the near post but he still forced Friedel into a save after picking up
the loose ball. And Friedel was forced into yet another stop when Cole
managed to find space to get his shot away from an even tighter angle in a
similar position. Villa had barely threatened since the interval but they
still collected all three points thanks to a massive stroke of luck. Milner
was trying to cross the ball from the left-hand side of the penalty area but
instead it hit Neill and left Green helpless as it dropped under the
crossbar and over the line.
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West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola: "It is very hard to take. I don't think my
players deserved that and it makes me very frustrated. "When my team plays
well and creates chances like we did then I cannot complain - we need a
change of luck but we will keep trying our best."
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill: "I'm delighted to be third. "We created
quite a number of chances on the break in the first half but the game was
really open and could have gone either way," "We got a bit lucky with the
goal at a time when West Ham were pressing us."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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West Ham: Green, Neill, Davenport, Upson, Ilunga, Collison (Tristan 84),
Noble, Parker (Mullins 46), Behrami (Bowyer 57), Bellamy, Cole.
Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Boa Morte, Faubert, Di Michele.
Booked: Neill, Bellamy.
Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar (Reo-Coker 58), Davies, Laursen, Luke Young,
Petrov, Milner, Sidwell, Barry, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor.
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Harewood, Delfouneso, Knight, Shorey, Gardner.
Booked: Milner.
Goals: Neill 78 og.
Att: 31,353
Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Aston Villa's Ashley Young 7.80 (on
90 minutes).
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West Ham Utd 0 Aston Villa 1
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 20th December 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham go into Christmas in deep trouble following yet another home
defeat, this time against Aston Villa at the Boleyn this evening.
A James Milner deflected effort was enough to earn all three points for the
visitors in an absorbing game featuring two teams intent on playing
attacking football. Once again though the Hammers were made to pay for their
shortcomings up front; Gianfranco Zola's side have now failed to score at
the Boleyn since November 8th, some six fixtures ago.
Chiefly guilty for the continued absence of goals was Carlton Cole, who
spurned four decent chances to break United's miserable home run. Although
manager Zola continues to speak favourably of his target man a spell on the
bench would perhaps be the kindest thing right now for a player clearly
struggling with his game. For all his good work elsewhere on the pitch,
Cole's meagre return of just four goals thus far this season has contributed
to West Ham's precarious position - although he remains the club's top
scorer this term, which speaks volumes.
Despite the defeat the Hammers were mostly good value for money and created
a number of chances during the game. Craig Bellamy was first to test the
excellent Brad Friedel on 13 minutes when he forced a solid close-range save
from the American keeper. Valon Behrami's dipping effort just ahead of the
half time break drew another decent stop, whilst Curtis Davis narrowly
avoided embarrassment when his goalbound deflection was expertly tipped over
by the Villa number one.
The Hammers - whose second half record remains the worst in the Premier
League - appeared to have broken with recent tradition by virtually
controlling the final 45 minutes, but still they couldn't find a way
through. Carlton Cole squandered a host of opportunities - four in total -
within the space of 10 second half minutes before the Hammers were punished
by a goal out of nothing.
Robert Green - who had been superb in front of the watching Fabio Capello -
could do nothing but watch the ball loop over his head into the far corner
when James Milner's shot took a huge deflection off the up-to-then
impressive Lucas Neill with just 12 minutes left on the clock. The goal
summed up West Ham's day and leaves them sitting one place above the
relegation zone - on goal difference - as Christmas approaches. The points
gained at Liverpool and Chelsea recently suddenly take on added importance.
Villa - for whom the three points lifts them to third place in the Premier
League - will perhaps argue that they deserved the win, having created a
number of chances themselves. The aforementioned Green was on hand to
prevent Gabriel Agbonlahor from opening the scoring in the first half when
the Villa front man found himself one one one with the United keeper after a
quick counter attack.
Always dangerous on the break, Martin O'Neill's well-drilled side had
another good chance when Scott Parker misplaced a back pass into the path of
former Hammers target Ashley Young. But after rounding Rob Green the
ex-Watford winger could only find the post thanks to the intervention of the
tireless Valon Behrami who had raced back to cover the open goal.
The away side also saw a penalty claim rejected just ahead of half time when
Lucas Neill appeared to haul Gareth Barry over inside the box; fortunately
for the Hammers, referee Mark Halsey - who had a decent game overall -
deemed the challenge to be nothing more than an accidental collision.
Villa were restricted to just three efforts on goal in the second half, such
was West Ham's domination. Bar Milner's match-winner the visitors only
produced a high and wide effort from Petrov and a slightly more threatening
curler from Ashley Young - but that will be cold comfort for Zola tonight,
whose record as Hammers boss now reads played 15, won three, drawn four and
lost eight.
Next up for the Hammers is the Boxing Day trip to Portsmouth, another club
struggling under the guidance of a new manager. With Stoke at home to follow
that the Hammers will need to start turning their form around - and, most
importantly, begin scoring goals - if the looming threat of relegation is to
be eased.
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Davenport, Upson, Ilunga, Noble, Parker
(Mullins 46), Collison (Tristan 84), Behrami (Bowyer 57), Bellamy, Cole.
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Faubert, Boa Morte, Di Michele.
Booked: Neill (67), Bellamy (81).
Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar (Reo-Coker 58), Laursen, Davies, Luke Young,
Sidwell, Petrov, Barry, Milner, Agbonlahor, Ashley Young.
Subs not used: Guzan, Shorey, Knight, Gardner, Delfouneso, Harewood.
Booked: Milner (72).
Goals: Milner (78).
Referee: Mark Halsey (7).
Attendance: tbc.
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Zola plans to get Cole firing
Hammers boss issues striker warning
Last updated: 22nd December 2008
SSN
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has admitted Carlton Cole needs to improve his
finishing ability. Cole missed a number of chances in Saturday's unfortunate
1-0 defeat by Aston Villa at Upton Park. Zola is happy with Cole's all-round
play, but he admits he will be working hard with the former Chelsea man to
help him find his scoring boots until he is 'fed up'. "We play well, we try
everything, we create chances but we can't get it going right now and it's
becoming a problem. Yet we are determined to change things. We deserve much
better than this," said Zola "Bellamy is playing very well and Cole is
playing well too. But he needs to be more focused on scoring goals. He knows
that. "From Monday on I'll be working on his finishing every single day
until he's fed up with it. He has to score more goals because it can change
performances so much."
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Hammers owner won't invest
Fridgeirsson claims Zola knew no extra funds would be available
Last updated: 21st December 2008
SSN
Gianfranco Zola was aware the West Ham United hierarchy would inject no
further funds into the club when he accepted the role as manager, according
to vice-chairman Asgeir Fridgeirsson. Hammers owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson
is considering selling the Premier League side, while it has been reported
Zola will be forced to part company with players in order to generate cash
for recruitments in the New Year. Zola, who took over at Upton Park in
September, currently finds his charges 17th in the Premier League table and
looks set for a testing January transfer window after Fridgeirsson hinted at
limited resources. Fridgeirsson said in the Mail on Sunday: "There is no
money coming into the operation from the owner. This was crystal clear from
the beginning. Zola was always happy with that arrangement."
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Upton Park pain for Hammers
Villa up to third after Neill own goal separates sides
By James Dall Last updated: 20th December 2008
SSN
Man of the match: Brad Friedel was immaculate in the Villa goal
Moment of the match: The ball looping over Robert Green after James Milner's
attempted cross hit Lucas Neill. Very strange indeed.
Attempt of the match: Ashley Young's shot that hit the post after he latched
onto a badly misplaced pass from Scott Parker.
Save of the match: Friedel's save to deny Calum Davenport in the 86th minute
Talking point: The referee's seeming lenience for a couple of very dangerous
tackles.
West Ham United suffered yet more agony at Upton Park as a Lucas Neill own
goal handed high-flying Aston Villa victory on Saturday evening. The
Hammers are without a Premier League win on their home turf since September
and now risk falling into the relegation places should Manchester City get
something from their trip to West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. Gianfranco
Zola's charges matched Martin O'Neill's Villa for much of the encounter as
both teams spurned excellent goalscoring opportunities, with Carlton Cole
wasteful in front of goal and Ashley Young hitting the woodwork. The game
looked set for a goalless stalemate but James Milner's hopeful effort caught
Neill on 78 minutes to deflect wickedly over the helpless Robert Green and
lift Villa up to third in the table O'Neill's young English players have
given Villa fans real hope of breaking into the top four - but an American
veteran in goal is also playing his part. Brad Friedel produced a string of
saves to keep the scores level when the Hammers threatened through Craig
Bellamy and Cole. "They have plenty of pace and are very dangerous," wrote
Hammers boss Zola in his programme notes, highlighting Villa's strengths -
but he has speed in his own side through Bellamy. The Wales forward
applauded Stiliyan Petrov when the Villa midfielder nut-megged him - for the
rest of time he was stretching Villa's defence and creating space inside.
His first effort came when he raced onto Neill's lofted pass - but the ball
forced the Hammers striker into a wide angle and his shot was easily saved
by Friedel. There was nothing straightforward about the American's save when
Bellamy raced beyond the Villa defence to collect a pass from Herita Ilunga.
Friedel stayed on his feet for as long as possible before parrying the
finish.
Threat
Villa's first threat came from Steve Sidwell, who drilled a low effort just
wide of Green's upright, then went even closer midway through the opening
half after Gabriel Agbonlahor raced down the left and beat Neill for pace.
The ball was pulled back for Sidwell, with Mark Noble chasing back and doing
enough to make the former Chelsea midfielder slice his finish wide. England
winger Young then struck the post after being gifted possession by Scott
Parker. The error allowed Young to take the ball around Green but he was
forced slightly wide and the finish clipped the far post. Young also went
inches wide with a free-kick, while Gareth Barry felt he should have had a
penalty when he tussled with Neill shortly afterwards, but referee Mark
Halsey waved play on. Bellamy's pace was West Ham's outlet. Neill sent him
away on the right again and when the cross came over, Curtis Davies sliced
towards his own goal and Friedel was required to tip over the crossbar.
Friedel also parried a long-range effort from Valon Behrami after Davies had
given the ball away cheaply. Villa broke at speed just before the half-time
whistle, with Green forced into a double save - from Milner then Barry - to
keep the scores level heading into the break. Zola's response at half-time
was to haul off Parker and bring on Hayden Mullins to protect the defence.
Power
Bellamy could not get power on the first chance of the second half, then
Matthew Upson and Neill were off target with headers when they met
set-pieces. Zola made another change just before the hour mark when Behrami
appeared to pick up a knock, with Lee Bowyer coming on. Former Hammers
midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker, who predictably was greeted by a chorus of
jeers, then replaced Carlos Cuellar after the defender also got injured.
Cole was presented with a clear-cut chance when Neill cut in from the right
and floated a cross to the far post - but the striker got under the finish
and headed over. Cole had another opportunity in the 64th minute after
Bowyer had released Bellamy to cross from the left. Luke Young blocked
Cole's first effort, then Friedel produced a reflex save to stop the second.
Milner picked up a booking for tripping Ilunga, but he then earned Villa the
winner 12 minutes from the end.
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Zola - This can't go on
West Ham chief standing firm over vision for team
Last updated: 20th December 2008
SSN
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola is certain his side's football will
soon be rewarded, despite losing against Aston Villa on Saturday. Lucas
Neill's own goal condemned the Hammers to a ninth defeat of the season, with
the club just a point above the relegation places. Zola rued the manner of
Villa's winning goal while he praised his players for matching their
opponents for much of the game. "It's very hard," he said. "It's difficult
to leave the pitch with nothing when you play like that.
"We had so many chances against a team fourth in the table. We are one place
away from the relegation zone but that didn't show on the pitch. "I'm upset
and frustrated for my players because they deserve more. It won't carry on
like this. That would be impossible. "I'm not going to give up on this, we
have to be strong and make our own luck. If we play like that it will not go
on forever."
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West Ham's owners are living in a bubble
The Times
Grounds for optimism: despite the economic downturn, Gudmundsson's asking
price for West Ham is more than double what he paid for the club
Martin Samuel, Chief Football Correspondent
It is heartening to see that recent traumas at Upton Park have not dampened
that famous East End sense of humour. Björgólfur Gudmundsson, the West Ham
United owner, may be Icelandic by birth, but he has learnt London ways. It
has emerged that he is angling for £250 million if he is to sell the club.
Cor blimey, guv'nor, you're a right card, you are. 'Ere, lads, come and 'ave
a listen to this.
To justify the fee, however, prospective purchasers may wish to ask a few
questions. Such as, under Gudmundsson's stewardship, have the team improved?
No. Have the coaching staff attained new heights? No. Have the club grown in
size or stature? No. Are sporting or financial prospects positive? No. At
executive level, are the club more efficiently managed? Not particularly.
Hey, hey now, gentlemen, don't all dive for that chequebook at once.
What is remarkable is that Gudmundsson actually bought the club for £108
million, including debt. So with the prospect of relegation and a serious
financial downturn under way, in two years — during which West Ham have
become embroiled in the most expensive legal battle in football's history,
millions have been frittered away in the transfer market and two managers
and one senior executive have been lost — by the calculation of the owners,
the worth of the business has risen £142 million.
With accounting like that, no wonder they overpaid for Fredrik Ljungberg.
According to court papers submitted by Gudmundsson's lawyers, the valuation
is linked to a number of factors, mainly the recent price of £230 million
obtained for Manchester City when some of the richest men on the planet came
calling, which may prove something of a false reading. "West Ham is thought
a more valuable club looking at its location in London, its loyal fanbase,
more chance of linked real estate projects, proximity to the Olympic village
and the fact it owns its ground," the legal statement read.
Yet every one of those factors was also in place when Gudmundsson paid £108
million. He has not bought the ground, relocated the club to the capital or
unearthed staunch support that did not previously exist. Real estate
potential is the same as it ever was — development on the training ground at
Chadwell Heath, a plan frozen in the present climate — while the Olympic
link is simply irrelevant. So from where is the extra value of £142 million,
or is Gudmundsson claiming that he underpaid?
It is not football's bubble that has burst, it is the ownership bubble; the
belief that all this new money came from men with infallible business
brains, foolproof judges of financial markets. The money that is being
demanded by Gudmundsson, by Mike Ashley at Newcastle United and by the
American owners of Liverpool suggests only one thing: these guys were not as
smart as they thought they were.
They believed that they had spotted something that was undervalued when, in
fact, it was overvalued. And they won't admit they were wrong. So they ask
these inflated fees to prop up their egos, because if they simply tried to
get their money back — and still there was no buyer — what would it say
about their acumen?
West Ham is a mess that starts at the top and has done for more than a
decade. The stewardship of Terence Brown, the former chairman, was
calamitous and his successor, Eggert Magnússon, was foolish and wasteful,
and any revival under Gudmundsson has been undermined by his parlous
financial position after the Icelandic economic crash.
What happens at the club now will be considered to have great meaning for
all, as if this is a lesson to be learnt throughout football, but in reality
it is only one line of a song being sung from 10 Downing Street to the
office of the financial advisers in your local high street. There are people
whose business is business; and what they knew about business was nobody's
business.
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Aston Villa beat West Ham to leapfrog United
West Ham United (0) 0 Aston Villa (0) 1
Telegraph
By Trevor Haylett
Last Updated: 7:03PM GMT 21 Dec 2008
While Manchester United were 6,000 miles away achieving world domination,
they lost ground at home to a team whose aims remain much more modest. Only
two sides now separate them from the Premier League summit but Martin
O'Neill insists Aston Villa's target is to attain the consistency the
so-called Big Four can call upon.
The nation should pray that they succeed in their quest. One onlooker at
Upton Park certainly does even though his roots lie in Italy. Villa finished
this game with eight English players on the pitch and while Fabio Capello
might not have been overly impressed with the display that won three
fortuitous points, he knows that every excursion to a Villa fixture will
never prove a wasted journey.
Gareth Barry, Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor are already firmly in the
England manager's plans and last week he spoke encouragingly of James
Milner, saying he is "the future, my future". Luke Young and Curtis Davies
have had their call-ups and if Steve Sidwell and Nigel Reo-Coker have a bit
more to do, playing in a winning team can't do their careers any harm.
"England are doing so well that it's going to be hard for our young players
but I've just told them in the dressing room to try and bust a gut over the
next 18 months to be on the plane to South Africa," said O'Neill. "They've
all got a chance."
A sixth away victory – twice as many as United, whom they dislodged from
third place - did not fully explain why Villa are riding so high and they
will want to improve on Boxing Day when Arsenal are their visitors in a
fixture that could prove a pointer as to who eventually finishes in the
fourth Champions League place. "All the top four [he meant the Big Four],
including Arsenal are capable of sustaining a run of wins but for us it
would be exceptionally hard work."
For West Ham a large measure of sympathy is due after an immense amount of
effort and willpower was rendered worthless when Milner's attempted cross
brushed Lucas Neill and looped over Robert Green.
Gianfranco Zola's team did not look 14 places adrift of the victors but paid
the penalty, and not for the first time this season, for missing chances
with Carlton Cole the most culpable. The huge and imposing presence of Brad
Friedel will have loomed large in his nightmares over the weekend though
there was no excuse for failing to put away a far post header on the hour.
"Carlton played well and works so hard for the team but he has to score more
goals and I will be working with him every day this week including Christmas
Day to get it right," said Zola, a normally bubbly figure left haunted by a
fifth home defeat in six. "We have to change things because we deserve
better than this."
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West Ham 0 Aston Villa 1: Milner tops Villa talent show
By Arindam Rej
Last updated at 12:16 AM on 22nd December 2008
Daily Mail
There is little wonder why England manager Fabio Capello is paying
particularly close attention to Aston Villa - but Martin O'Neill wishes the
Italian would stop talking up the club's players.
Capello, who was at Upton Park to watch this match, has stated that James
Milner is part of his plans, and the midfielder's deflected strike won this
game.
Villa ended the match with eight Englishmen in their side - an all too rare
sight in the Barclays Premier League - so Capello should be spending even
more time watching the high-flying Midlands side.
Speaking about Capello's reference to Milner, manager O'Neill said: 'I
accept the fact that, unwittingly maybe, by mentioning him, Fabio Capello
has put him in the forefront now and he has to deal with that.
'So I'd prefer that Capello came back in and said to him: "No, I'm not
interested".'
But O'Neill is motivating players by telling them that, if they keep
performing, Capello will take them to the 2010 World Cup.
He said: 'I'm delighted we have so many English players who are doing great
and, if they're not in Capello's forethoughts, they're certainly in the back
of his mind.'
Aside from Milner, the likeliest Villa players to make it to the World Cup
in South Africa are forwards Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young plus
central midfielder Gareth Barry.
But the likes of Steve Sidwell and Curtis Davies cannot be discounted, even
though the latter had a poor game on Saturday.
O'Neill added: 'I'm well aware that at the moment, with England playing so
well, it's going to be hard for the younger boys here to come in.
'I've told them the best thing to do is spend the next 18 months trying to
be on that plane when it heads out to South Africa.
'They know that the England manager will, if he can, get to the games
because he's interested in some of the younger players. It's up to each of
those players to try to bust a gut to get in.'
Getting stuck in: Ashley Young was at his ispirational best
Villa's Englishmen were not at their best here, but the team always looked
dangerous going forward, with Agbonlahor and Ashley Young using their pace
usefully.
But the breakthrough came in the 78th minute when Milner's shot struck Lucas
Neill and looped beyond Robert Green.
However, the former Leeds and Newcastle midfielder is not getting carried
away.
'When you start doing well, things are said and it's down to us to ignore
that and just control what happens on the field,' said Milner.
'For our goal, I was trying to put the ball in the right area - if you do
that then, hopefully, you get that [lucky] break.'
Speaking about Villa's topfour chances, Milner added: 'The top four has been
the same for a long time - quality teams with quality players. If we can
break into it, that's great, but we'll take it one step at a time and keep
improving.'
West Ham need to think about improving, too. This was an encouraging
display, but they made careless errors and were wasteful in the final third.
Carlton Cole was most guilty man and manager Gianfranco Zola admits it won't
be a merry Christmas for his misfiring striker.
Zola said: 'He needs to be more focused on scoring. He knows that. From
Monday, I'll be working on him every day to make it right.'
WEST HAM (4-4-2): Green 6; Neill 5, Davenport 5, Upson 6, Ilunga 6; Collison
6 (Tristan 84min), Noble 6, Parker 4 (Mullins 46, 6), Behrami 5 (Bowyer 57,
5); Bellamy 7, Cole 4. Booked: Neill, Bellamy.
ASTON VILLA (4-4-2): Friedel 7; Cuellar 5 (Reo-Coker 58, 5), Davies 4,
Laursen 6, L Young 6; Petrov 5, Milner 6, Sidwell 6, Barry 6; A Young 7,
Agbonlahor 7.
Booked: Milner.
Man of the match: Ashley Young.
Referee: Mark Halsey
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Zola sends Cole to finishing school
West Ham 0 Aston Villa 1
By Steve Tongue
Monday, 22 December 2008
Independent.co.uk Web
When Alan Curbishley left Charlton Athletic two years ago, many supporters
claimed to have become bored with watching dull football with his team
grinding out results to ensure a mid-table position. At West Ham, the same
sentiments were expressed after Curbishley walked out earlier this season
with the team fifth in the Premier League. What Charlton – second bottom in
the Championship – and West Ham – now confirmed relegation contenders –
would not give for a couple of boring 1-0 wins over Christmas.
Gianfranco Zola's defenders would appear capable of keeping a clean sheet in
this week's games with Portsmouth and Stoke; they were only beaten on
Saturday by a deflection off Lucas Neill from James Milner's attempted
cross. The harder part is conjuring up even the one goal. In the last 12
games West Ham have managed to score four times and have only managed to win
once while tumbling down the table.
Happy with Craig Bellamy's hard work and enthusiasm, Zola insists he will
also keep faith with Carlton Cole, whose potential he first recognised as a
Chelsea team-mate, but has not been converted into achievement. "He needs to
be more focused on scoring goals," the West Ham manager said. "He knows that
and from Monday on I'll be working on him every single day to make it right.
He has to score more goals." Dean Ashton's return from injury is apparently
no nearer, which will at least make other clubs less likely to risk buying
him in January.
In the aftermath of another defeat, Zola looked haggard, as if the reality
of Premier League management had suddenly hit him. His players will have to
learn to capitalise on periods like the 20 minutes after half-time when they
were on top but wasted five chances. "We deserve much better than this,"
Zola said, but just deserts have never been part of football's package.
Villa's vastly more experienced Martin O'Neill was also shaking his head, in
his case at the expectations raised by moving into third place while
Manchester United were detained elsewhere. "We're doing nicely but we've got
a long way to go," he said. "Breaking into the top four is going to be
difficult but it's worth fighting for. We're better than we showed today."
Using fewer players in the Premier League this season than any other team
(17, the majority of them English) has helped spirit and cohesion, and the
one major injury, to John Carew, has been offset by Gabriel Agbonlahor's
superb response as a lone striker.
Whether there is enough strength in depth to sustain a challenge will only
be answered in the new year. Signs of tiredness were evident on Saturday,
although Villa will not feel the ravages of the holiday programme as much as
most; after the key game at home to Arsenal on Friday, they do not play
again until visiting Hull four days later. No respite, however, for Zola.
Goal: Neill og (78) 0-1.
West Ham United (4-4-2): Green; Neill, Upson, Davenport, Ilunga; Collison
(Tristan, 84), Parker (Mullins, h-t), Noble, Behrami (Bowyer, 57); Bellamy,
Cole. Substitutes not used: Lastuvka (gk), Boa Morte, Faubert, Di Michele.
Aston Villa (4-5-1): Friedel; Cuellar (Reo-Coker, 58), Davies, Laursen, L
Young; Milner, Petrov, Barry, Sidwell, A Young; Agbonlahor. Substitutes not
used: Guzan (gk), Harewood, Delfouneso, Knight, Shorey, Gardner.
Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire)
Booked: West Ham Neill, Bellamy; Aston Villa Milner.
Man of the match: Friedel.
Attendance: 31,353.
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Aston Villa line up £7m Bellamy move with Harewood set for return to West
Ham
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 12:05 PM on 22nd December 2008
SSN
Martin O'Neill wants West Ham striker Craig Bellamy to bolster Aston Villa's
push for a Champions League spot. The Villa manager would pay £7million for
the 29-year-old and ex-Hammers striker Marlon Harewood would return to Upton
Park as part of the deal, according to reports. Wigan's Emile Heskey is
another target for O'Neill, whose Villa side are currently fourth in the
Barclays Premier League after a 1-0 win over West Ham on Saturday.
Well-travelled Bellamy has only been at West Ham for a year but stated his
willingness to talk to other clubs on Friday. He told talkSPORT: 'It's that
time of year, there's always a lot of speculation.
'I'm very happy at West Ham and I'm never going to go in and ask for move.
But you don't know what position the club is in.You don't know if they are
going to accept bids or not accept bids.' Manchester City made a £7m bid for
Bellamy in the summer, but the striker would prefer a move to the Midlands,
according to the Daily Mirror. The Hammers are up for sale and are just a
point above the relegation zone. Gianfranco Zola's side have not secured
maximum points at home since their 3-1 victory against Newcastle in
September.
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What will January bring for West Ham?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 22nd December 2008
By: Thomas Rooney
January is set to be a very interesting time for West Ham. The transfer
window system means that it will be a frantic month of speculation about
players arriving at Upton Park and players leaving Upton Park. Unfortunately
though, it seems as though the latter will be more dominant.
In fact, this has already started with the Daily Star reporting that
Manchester City are set to make a £6m bid for West Ham striker Craig
Bellamy. This would mean that the Welshman would be linking up with his
former Blackburn boss, Mark Hughes, at the City of Manchester Stadium.
This one could depend on whether the Manchester City board keep faith with
Hughes though as the fact they sit inside the relegation zone could mean
that Hughes isn't at the club long enough to sign the players he wants.
Also on this one, I would like to think that Bellamy would want to stay at
West Ham. He has only just started to have a solid run of games and at this
stage of his career; he really needs to settle down somewhere. It's no good
changing clubs every couple of years. I just hope he sees it that way and
isn't too motivated by money.
The problem being in this sort of situation that West Ham may not be able to
turn down bids for their best players. Vice Chairman Asgeir Fridgeirsson has
revealed that Gianfranco Zola has no money to spend on players next month
and that if he wants to bring in new recruits – he will have to make the
money from player sales.
However, Zola has hinted in the past that he won't be happy if players such
as Bellamy or Matthew Upson are sold this winter and that it could even lead
to him quitting the club. Speaking about the Italian, Fridgeirsson said that
he Zola was 'happy with the arrangement' in terms of their being no money
from the moment he joined the club.
This arrangement, I imagine, wouldn't have included the sale of players
though. Zola is happy enough carrying on with the squad that he has, but if
this is taken apart, he won't be best pleased. The West Ham boss believes in
his current crop and will fancy his chances of avoiding the drop if they are
kept together. January certainly seems set to be an interesting month. It
could go one of two ways!
On the pitch, things are just as uncertain. West Ham keep giving the fans
hope with some decent performances, but a poor result soon follows. For
example, after picking up a point at Chelsea and Liverpool, the Hammers went
on to lose their next game. Hope followed by disappointment seems to be the
name of the game this season.
In terms of the fixtures between now and the end of January when the
transfer window closes, there are three must win home games. The Hammers
face Stoke, Fulham and Hull City at Upton Park and these are games that the
football odds expect them to win. They are also games they have to win if
they are to pull away from the drop zone.
One thing for sure though is that football betting is more likely to favour
this happening if Zola manages to hold onto his best players in next month's
transfer window.
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