05/10/2007 09:46
Craig Bellamy returned from Germany last night to recover from a sports
hernia operation he had done by the same specialist that treated Michael
Owen, Ulrike Muschaweck. Head physio, George Cooper travelled to Munich with
the Welsh striker and was pleased with how it all went. "We went out there
because he had a scan that showed he was a candidate for a sports hernia and
we wanted to seek an opinion because he had two problems, unlike Owen who
had one problem," explained George. "We wanted to establish if the hernia
was causing his pain or if it was his groin. After consultation with the
specilaist, she deduced all symptoms were due to the hernia and she
demonstrated this to me under an ultrasound on an MRI scan and showed me
where the problem was.
"She then advised he had the operation and predicted he would be back within
14 days. So he had the surgery, it went very well and he walked out of the
centre the same day and we flew back later that night. "He can start running
three days after the operation, building up to sprinting after five days
then gradually building up to training and playing within a fortnight. "We
went to Doctor Muschaweck because through her techniques she can offer her
patients the most pain-free and shortest term recovery period."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ashton gets England call-up - WHUFC
05/10/2007 12:10
Dean Ashton has been included in the England squad for the next round of
Euro 2008 qualifiers. The striker has been given the nod from Steve McClaren
after his consistent form for the Hammers scoring three times in the last
four matches. McClaren picked Ashton for his first ever squad in charge of
the England team and was devastated when the striker broke his ankle in
training, 15 months later he is delighted to be able to call him up. "I am
absolutely delighted to be able to include Dean Ashton in the squad. It was
sickening for me when he got that inury, but he has worked so hard this past
year and he has got his rewards. He has improved game by game and we will
watch him tomorrow when he will no doubt impress again and he most certainly
deserves this call-up."
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Big Match Preview: Aston Villa v Hammers - WHUFC
05/10/2007 14:45
Aston Villa v West Ham United
Villa Park
Saturday, October 6
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Steve Tanner (Somerset)
Patrick Berger has suffered a recurrence of the hamstring injury he suffered
in pre-season but fellow midfielder Shaun Maloney is expected to be fit
after recovering from an ankle injury.
West Ham will be without Anton Ferdinand (hamstring) and Scott Parker
(knee), while Craig Bellamy also misses out following a hernia operation.
Background:
Aston Villa have won their last three home matches but let a three-goal lead
slip against Tottenham at White Hart Lane in their last match to draw 4-4.
Hammers have won four of the last six matches in all competitions and have
only lost one game away from home this season, to Newcastle at St James'
Park.
Half of the Premier League matches between the Hammers and Villa have been
draws (12 of 24).
Stats:
Last five league meetings:
03/02/2007 Aston Villa 1 (Carew) West Ham United 0
10/09/2006 West Ham United 1 (Zamora) Aston Villa 1 (Ridgewell)
14/01/2006 Aston Villa 1 (Hendrie) West Ham United 2 (Zamora, Harewood)
12/09/2005 West Ham United 4 (Harewood 3, Benayoun) Aston Villa 0
12/04/2003 West Ham United 2 (Sinclair, Kanoute) Aston Villa 2 (Vassell,
Leonhardsen)
Ticket news:
All standard and disabled match tickets for the match have now SOLD OUT but
coach travel still remains for the fixture and is available at the following
prices:
Season Ticket Holders/Academy Members = £16.00 Adults/£14.00 Concessions.
Clubcard Holders = £20.00 Adults/£16.00 Under 16's
Coach Travel will depart from Upton Park at 10:00am.
For information on getting to Villa Park, click here
Weather:
The weather in Birmingham is set to be cloudy with sunny intervals and
temperatures reaching highs of 18 degrees.
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Deano's delight - WHUFC
05/10/2007 14:26
Dean Ashton was named in Steve McClaren's England squad earlier today and
the Hammers striker spoke exclusively to www.whufc.com about how he heard
the news.
"When I came into training this morning I spoke to the Manager and he let me
know so that is how I found out. Then I spoke to Steve McClaren on the phone
and he relayed the same message to me that I had made the squad and talked
me through went to meet up. He said well done for getting back from the
injury, it obviously happened when I was away with England with him so we
talked about that as well and he just said he was really pleased to see me
back and scoring."
Speculation about Deano's inclusion in the squad has been rife this week but
the twenty-three year old waited patiently to hear the news for certain and
was ecstatic to get confirmation of the call-up this morning.
"I tried to ignore all the press talk and was just waiting to hear for
definite today. I was just absolutely delighted really, to have had the year
that I've had it is just amazing to finally get here. It is obviously well
documented that I picked up the injury before I had a chance to make my
debut for England so to get back in that squad after being out since then is
a really great feeling and to know all the hard work I have put in has paid
off is just fantastic."
It was a long, hard and often frustrating year for Ashton to get back to
full training and playing again for West Ham and this England call-up
hopefully means he can put that period behind him and just look forward.
"Hopefully this is the final thing that can help me put last year behind me.
Obviously my first priority was to get back playing well for West Ham and
only then could I even think about getting into an England squad, now that
has happened I just want to go away with the team and enjoy the experience,
especially because my first experience of it was so short lived."
With Wayne Rooney back in the squad and Michael Owen making a speedy
recovery from his operation to also be included, Ashton knows he may have a
wait on his hands to break into that elusive starting eleven but he is happy
to be patient.
"There is a real competition for places there which is why it is that much
more flattering to get included with such other high caliber strikers. I
know I will have to be patient in terms of getting my actual debut as these
are very crucial games for England so the manager obviously has to pick what
he feels is his strongest eleven and I obviously support that."
Deano believes the experience he will gain from being away with the national
set-up will be invaluable to his West Ham career and the call-up itself sets
him up nicely for tomorrow's away trip to Aston Villa
"I want to reach the highest level possible and I think the experience of
training and maybe even hopefully playing with England can only enhance my
game immensely which can only be good for West Ham.
"It is definitely an extra boost going into tomorrow's match. I am really
looking forward to it as the last time I played at Villa Park was in the
semi-final of the FA Cup so I have great memories there and all that along
with the England call-up should help me to a good performance along with the
rest of the team."
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Bellamy doubtful for Wales games - BBC
West Ham striker Craig Bellamy is likely to miss Wales' Euro 2008 qualifying
games against Cyprus and San Marino after having hernia surgery. Bellamy,
28, has been struggling with a groin injury and, after consultation with Dr
Ulrike Muschaweck in Munich, was advised to undergo the operation. It is
expected that Bellamy will be out of action for up to two weeks. Wales face
Cyprus in Nicosia on 13 October and San Marino in Serravalle four days
later. "Craig had surgery, it went very well and he walked out the same
day," said West Ham physio George Cooper. Muschaweck is the same surgeon who
operated on Newcastle and England striker Michael Owen last week and Cooper
was pleased with how it went. "We went out there because he had a scan that
showed he was a candidate for a sports hernia," Cooper told the West Ham
website. "We wanted to seek an opinion because he had two problems, unlike
Owen who had one problem.
"We wanted to establish if the hernia was causing his pain or if it was his
groin. "After consultation with the specialist, she deduced all symptoms
were due to the hernia and she demonstrated this to me under an ultrasound
on an MRI scan and showed me where the problem was. "She then advised he had
the operation and predicted he would be back within 14 days." Bellamy's
absence would be a bitter blow for coach with Freddie Eastwood, Robert
Earnshaw and Jermaine Easter all out of favour with their clubs.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aston Villa v West Ham - BBC
Villa Park
Saturday, 6 October
Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on Match
of the Day
Aston Villa could have Shaun Maloney back after an ankle problem and he may
challenge Luke Moore for a place alongside Gabriel Agbonlahor.
But Patrik Berger (calf) and John Carew (knee) are still ruled out.
West Ham will be without Anton Ferdinand (hamstring) and Scott Parker (knee)
through injury.
Forward Craig Bellamy is out with a groin injury, while Kieron Dyer, Julien
Faubert and Calum Davenport are sidelined still.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Villa (from): Carson, Mellberg, Laursen, Knight, Bouma, Gardner, Reo-Coker,
Barry, Young, Moore, Maloney, Agbonlahor, Petrov, Harewood, Taylor, Davies,
Osbourne.
West Ham (from): Wright, Green, Neill, Upson, Gabbidon, McCartney, Bowyer,
Mullins, Noble, Etherington, Ashton, Cole, Pantsil, Collins, Spector,
Ljungberg, Boa Morte, Reid.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill vows to attack despite letting a 4-1 lead
slip at Spurs:
"It won't in any way change our policy. Our idea is to go out and attack.
That is what we are best suited to.
"Nothing that happened at White Hart Lane will change our policy. If we had
had an opportunity, we would have gone for a fifth goal.
"You do have to remember that Tottenham are a very good side with strikers
as good as any in the Premier League and more experienced sides than us have
succumbed to a bit of pressure."
West Ham assistant boss Mervyn Day:
"We are looking at a situation where the players we have signed have done
really well for us.
"Playing Arsenal last week, which came in between two away games, was
difficult, and not being able to get a result was disappointing.
"But we have had some good victories away from home, at Birmingham and
Reading, and we are looking forward to the game at Villa. We will go there
with a lot of hope."
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Aston Villa are chasing a fourth successive home win in the Premier League;
West Ham are striving to avoid a third league defeat on the bounce.
Victory would see the Hammers leapfrogging Villa.
Martin O'Neill's side are facing London opposite for the fourth time this
season, and are yet to lose; although they did let a three-goal lead slip to
share eight goals with Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Monday.
All but two of Villa's 11 points have been picked up at home; the Hammers
have gained two more points on the road than at home, even though they've
played one more match at Upton Park.
Half of the Premier League fixtures between these clubs have been drawn (12
of 24).
CLUB FORM
ASTON VILLA
Club stats
Fixtures
1. Pursuing a fourth maximum in the Premier League this season.
2. Lost one of their last six league games; 1-0, away to Manchester City on
16 September.
3. This is their fourth fixture against London opposition in six league
outings; they've already beaten Fulham (2-1 h), and Chelsea (2-0 h) and
drawn 4-4, away to Tottenham.
4. Completed 18 Premier League matches since a defeat by more than a single
goal; 2-0, away to Reading on 10 February.
5. Two goals shy of scoring 400 all-time at home in the Premier League.
6. Only Arsenal and Liverpool have won league games at Villa Park in 2007.
7. Fielded fewer players in Premier League matches than any other club this
season, with the exception of Blackburn. Both have used 17.
8. Their first match after the international break will be home to
Manchester United.
WEST HAM UNITED
Club stats
Fixtures
1. Pursuing a fourth maximum in the Premier League this season.
2. Won four of their last six in all competitions.
3. Beaten 3-1 at Newcastle and 0-1, home to Arsenal in their last two league
outings.
4. Not suffered three successive defeats in 16 Premier League matches, since
tumbling to five on the trot on 4 March. The first away match in that
sequence was 1-0 at Aston Villa.
5. Completed 26 Premier League fixtures since recording a goalless draw;
away to Fulham on 23 December 2006.
6. Played 10 league games on the road, since a stalemate; 2-2 at Newcastle
on 20 January.
7. Won seven of their last nine Premier League matches against Midlands
opposition, losing just one of the nine.
KEY PLAYER NOTES
ASTON VILLA
Gabriel AGBONLAHOR, Gareth BARRY, Olof MELLBERG and Ashley YOUNG have all
been on the field for every minute of every one of Villa's Premier League
games this season.
AGBONLAHOR and Shaun MALONEY are Villa's joint leading scorers, with three
goals each.
All three of AGBONLAHOR'S have been league goals - making the 20 year old
the club's leading marksman in the Premier League.
Marlon HAREWOOD, needs one goal to total 100 in his league career
(Nottingham Forest, Ipswich and West Ham).
If selected:-
HAREWOOD will be playing against his former club. The 28 year old forward
made 170 appearances (142 in the league) and scored 56 goals (47 league) for
West Ham between November 2003 and his close season move to Villa Park last
July.
Nigel REO-COKER will also be facing former colleagues. The 23 year old
midfielder made 142 appearances (120 in the league) and scored 11 league
goals for the Hammers between January 2004 and his £8.5m move to Aston Villa
three months ago.
WEST HAM UNITED
Dean ASHTON and Craig BELLAMY are West Ham's joint top scorers with three
goals each.
The Hammers' joint top Premier League marksmen are ASHTON, Lee BOWYER and
Matthew ETHERINGTON, with two each.
If he plays:-
ETHERINGTON will be making his 250th career league appearance (Peterborough,
Tottenham, Bradford City and West Ham).
Nol SOLANO will be facing a former club. The 32 year old Peru international
made 52 appearances (49 in the league) and scored nine goals (eight league)
for Aston Villa between January 2004 and his £1.5m move back to Newcastle in
August 2005.
Carlton COLE could be facing familiar faces. COLE spent the 2004-05 season
on loan at Villa Park, when on Chelsea's books.
If on the field from the outset:-
James COLLINS will be making his 100th club career start (Cardiff and West
Ham).
Danny GABBIDON will be making his 50th league start for the Hammers.
HEAD TO HEAD
John Carew scored on his home debut to win this corresponding match for
Villa last season.
Home and away
League (inc PL): Villa 28 wins, West Ham 31, Draws 25
Prem: Villa 7 wins, West Ham 5, Draws 12
at Villa only
League (inc PL): Villa 22 wins, West Ham 11, Draws 9
Prem: Villa 5 wins, West Ham 2, Draws 5
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Aston Villa 1-0 West Ham United
3 February 2007 - Ref: Chris Foy
Villa scorer: Carew 36
REFEREE
Steve Tanner (Somerset)
Premier League referees' table
Steve Tanner's 2007-08 Premier League card count
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bellamy set for swift return - SSN
Hammers striker undergoes successful surgery
By Lewis Rutledge Last updated: 5th October 2007
West Ham striker Craig Bellamy is set to make his comeback in two weeks
after undergoing surgery in Germany. Bellamy had the same operation as
Michael Owen at the clinic of specialist Dr Ulrike Muschaweck on Thursday.
Muschaweck has reported the surgery a success and expects the Welshman back
in action within a fortnight. "The examination showed a so-called
sportsman's groin, which I operated on," she explained. "The operation
allows him to make a quick return to full activity. That means within eight
to 12 days he will be back to full activity without any restriction. "The
operation technique was the same technique which I carried out on Michael
Owen."
The Hammers decided to send Bellamy to Munich after he was forced to miss
their last three games with the troublesome groin injury. Bellamy will also
miss this weekend's clash with Aston Villa, but should be fit to return for
the home game against Sunderland on 21st October. He is likely to miss
Wales' Euro 2008 qualifier against Cyprus next Saturday but could be in
contention for the match with San Marino four days later.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole feared Hammers repeat - SSN
Blues ace says players found the solution
By James Pearson Last updated: 5th October 2007
Joe Cole says Chelsea's star-studded squad needed to up their game following
the dismissal of Jose Mourinho. The 'Special One' surprisingly left The
Blues earlier this season and Cole feared he could suffer a repeat of what
happened at West Ham. Cole was acting captain when The Hammers were
relegated from the Premier League back in 2003, prior to his Stamford Bridge
switch. Instead of players pointing the finger following Mourinho's exit,
Cole says the squad opted to look a little closer to home. "I've been at
clubs before that have been in bad situations," he is quoted in the Daily
Mirror. "The worst things players can do when it's like that is start
pointing the finger at each other and saying 'he's not doing this' and 'he's
not doing that'. "At West Ham it was bad. That's not the way at Chelsea. Big
players look at themselves first and pick bones out of their own
performance. "All of us knew we had to start looking at ourselves and we
found that five or 10 per cent more we needed to show."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aston Villa v West Ham Utd - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 4th October 2007
By: Matthew Coker
We head off to the Midlands this weekend as we take on Aston Villa in a 3pm
Saturday afternoon kick off.
It has been widely reported that this is the only Premier League game
kicking off at that time which bodes well for the 5 Live Commentary for
those not making the trip, as well as making us 50% certain (there's one
other lunchtime kick off) of being the main game on Match of the Day or
Football First on Saturday evening.
Our opponents currently occupy 9th place in the league, two places and one
point above us. On the road, they have managed to pick up two points from
draws at St James and Shite Hart Lane, in Monday nights goal extravaganza,
and were defeated at Eastlands, though admittedly none of these are
particularly easy places to go and pick up points.
At home, they have been in much better form than their opening day defeat by
Liverpool had hinted at. They have gone on to defeat Fulham (2-1) and then
see off Chelsea (the game where we all saw Abramovich sneaking out) and
Everton, both by 2-0 scorelines. The good run was interrupted by a Carling
Cup defeat at the hands of Leicester, but they are generally a serious
proposition at Villa Park.
"We want goals, we want to attack and we want to go for it. All the top
teams wouldn't need four to win a game and that's why we've still got a long
way to go. We are capable of challenging the top six, but the slight concern
is the squad."
Martin O'Neill's post Sp*rs assessment.
Our opponents are pretty robust at the back, barring Monday's blip, helped
by the good form of loanee keeper, Scott Carson. The defensive line up is
robust but a bit unbalanced as it lacks any natural full backs, Martin
O'Neill seems to be packing the back four with centre backs, including
playing Freddie Ljungberg's mate, Olof Mellberg on the right. Eyebrows were
raised in the Holte End with the purchase of Zak Knight and pub team player,
Curtis Davies, over the summer, especially with the squad crying out for a
right back.
The midfield is one of the strongest areas with two England squad members in
tow, pacy wideman, Ashley Young, currently on the left (despite being right
footed) and Gareth Barry in the middle. There is not an obvious right winger
especially as Agbonlahor has moved back to his natural role as a striker,
though Shaun Maloney may step into the role, if his ankle has recovered (and
there appears to be a few pounds for that ankle to support). The fourth
member of the quartet is well known and little loved at West Ham.
Noble v Ignoble
No doubt many amongst the Claret and Blue army are looking forward to
catching up with our former captain, Nigel Reo-Coker on Saturday. In the
interests of balance, I should point out that he has, for the most part,
made a decent first impression on the supporters of Aston Villa, though
because he took the place of Gavin McCann in the side, he was always going
to look like an improvement.
I am also not too blind to recognise that his strength is his strength and
that he is capable of making penetrative drives through the midfield, often
holding off more than one opponent in the process. His energy, athleticism
and running ability are to be admired, well his running in a straight line
anyway as I don't recall him having the ability to change direction with the
ball with much aplomb.
Balancing strengths with weaknesses, you can ask questions of his passing
(no long range passing ability, no killer through ball) and to a lesser
degree his tackling, certainly if he still believes that he can play for a
top four Champions League side (despite their obvious disinterest over the
summer). His goal scoring record is also pretty feeble, though he has added
one for his new paymasters, in the Carling Cup against Wrexham.
However, it is not his professional ability that offended so many of our
supporters but his lack of integrity. He initially demonstrated genuine
delight at being awarded the captain's armband but he seemed to want the
nice bits, the kudos that goes with being the youngest skipper in the club's
history and getting his face on a 30ft banner at the Cup Final.
Last season, when we needed a captain, when the team were vastly
underperforming and the confidence was shot, Nigel did an impression of the
contents of a cross channel swimmer Speedo's. He disappeared on the field
and there was never any rallying cry, not in the programme or in front of
the post match cameras or on the club website.
The only occasional sighting was on the world's most boring internet diary
where he gave us the details of how he went round to his Mum's for a cup of
tea or which R&B compilation he was listening to in his Baby Bentley. Until
one day, he uncharacteristically turned up in the penalty box and converted
a two-yard tap in against Manchester United.
At which stage he showed just how blinkered a view that he had of his own
ability by cupping his ears in a see-I-told-you-so celebration. Told us
what, that he had scored his only goal season? That he wasn't a hologram?
That he doesn't have a clue about just what a self obsessed Lawro that he
truly is?
There is plenty more to add, about his transfer requests or his ridiculous
towel analogy ("hung out to dry") but the upshot was that there were no
tears spilt our end at his departure, just relief as it looked for a while
that there was not going to be any interest in taking him off our hands.
I'm sure that such a corporate footballer and avid reader of the 49 Laws of
Power will follow management convention and have a mind-map of career next
steps on a white board somewhere in his mock Tudor mansion. I am sure that
one of his aims will be to "Prove West Ham wrong" and we'll probably see him
play a blinder on Saturday. That should be enough to inspire him to rub out
that ambition, but based on what I've seen of him in his career so far, the
phrases "Play in the Champions League" or "Win an England Cap" are likely to
remain on Mr Medi-Ocre's wallchart for the rest of his footballing life.
Up front, three of the four strikers are giving O'Neill a problem. Big
Norwegian, John Carew is ruled by his knee ligaments and there are current
form problems for Luke Moore and more obviously, Marlon Harewood. The latter
is currently public enemy number one for the Villans fans after a succession
of woeful performances, climaxing in a clumsy challenge on Darren Bent that
led to a Sp*rs penalty on Monday night.
Calling him "Marewood" and a "poor man's Emile Heskey" are two of the more
printable comments made by supporters and if he is truly as bad as the fans
suggest, Marlene will be in line for his best contribution to a West Ham
performance since the FA Cup Semi Final. This just leaves Gabriel Agbonlahor
as a danger man for us to contain. He possess bags of pace when he is out
wide, is capable of performing the fox-in-the-box role to great effect and
is the club's top scorer with three league strikes this year.
Thriller at the Villa?
Despite our good performance against L'Arse last week and Villa's wobble at
the Lane on Monday, I still don't fancy our chances this week. Our hosts
have a decent record at home even against decent sides.
I'm concerned that we'll suffer with a lack of pace at the back in the
absence of Ferdinand and our recent habit of getting undone down the flanks
in the last couple of games does not sit well with the strengths of
Agbonlahor and Young.
I'll go for a 2-1 defeat which, with my predicting record this season, will
pretty much guarantee us at least a point.
Enjoy the game.
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Aston Villa v West Ham preview - SSn
Villa looking to continue good home form
By Lewis Rutledge Last updated: 5th October 2007
Villa Park is the setting for the only Premier League game kicking off at 3
O'clock this Saturday, and Martin O'Neill's side will be looking for their
fourth consecutive home victory as they entertain West Ham. Since losing to
Liverpool on the opening weekend of the season Aston Villa have beaten
Fulham, Chelsea and Everton at home, suffering defeat only to Leicester in
the Carling Cup. They took their good form into last Monday's game at
Tottenham, but after carving out a 4-1 lead they were pegged back to 4-4.
Villa will hope to bounce back quickly and firmly establish themselves in
the top half of the table by collecting all three points against The
Hammers. Nigel Reo-Coker, who endured a difficult last season at Upton Park,
is set to play against his former team-mates for the first time. Marlon
Harewood also left London for the Midlands and will be hoping to feature,
but the striker may have to settle for a place on the bench, with O'Neill
unlikely to make changes to his front six after their display against
Tottenham. Shaun Maloney may come back into contention after missing the
trip to White Hart Lane with an ankle injury, but John Carew is expected to
be sidelined for another month with a knee problem. Patrik Berger is also
doubtful with a hamstring injury sustained in the shock defeat to Leicester.
FACT BOX
Prediction:
Villa 1 West Ham 1
One to watch: Reo-Coker
Sky Bet odds: Villa 5/6 Draw 9/4 West Ham 11/4
Curtis Davies could come into the side after a poor performance from the
Villa defence in the draw with Tottenham. Hammers eager to get back on track
West Ham have lost their last two games and slipped back into the bottom
half after an encouraging start to the season. They have won twice on their
travels this season, however, and will be in confident mood despite a number
of injury concerns. Craig Bellamy will miss the game after undergoing
surgery on his troublesome groin, while fellow summer signings Kieron Dyer
and Julien Faubert are long-term absentees. Freddie Ljungberg and Henri
Camara are expected to feature, and Nolberto Solano could be selected to
face his former club. Carlton Cole, who also spent a season on loan at Villa
from Chelsea, is likely to be among the substitutes, with Dean Ashton
continuing up front.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aston Villa v West Ham: Preview - Soccernet
Martin O'Neill believes Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker is capable of
breaking into the England squad for the Euro 2008 finals as he prepares to
face former club West Ham for the first time since his £8.5million summer
switch. Reo-Coker skippered the England Under-21 side during the European
Championship finals in Holland in June before making the move to Villa Park.
He has made an impressive start under O'Neill who has confidence in the
former Wimbledon player to make the senior international breakthrough along
with Villa team-mates Gareth Barry, Ashley Young and Scott Carson. O'Neill
said: ``He has done well for us and is very conscientious. He is still
finding his feet here and that is pleasing because there is much more to
come from him. ``I think if England qualify for Euro 2008, which you would
expect them to, then Nigel would have time to make a big enough impression
to be heading with that squad to Austria and Switzerland in the summer time.
``That should be a driving ambition of his - and I am sure it is.'' O'Neill
is happy with the way Reo-Coker and Barry have combined in the centre of the
park but is not getting carried away with first impressions. He said: ``They
are doing fine as a pairing, and they are playing strongly together, and I
am very pleased for both of them, but it is early yet to make positive
assumptions you expect to last for the rest of the season.'' O'Neill was
disappointed to see his side surrender a three-goal lead in the final 20
minutes and have to settle for a 4-4 draw at Tottenham on Monday. But that
will not result in him becoming more conservative in his approach to the
Hammers game as he vowed to continue Villa's attacking policy.
``I suppose if you look at how the game was looking with 20 minutes to go
you would say that it was two points dropped,'' said O'Neill. ``But We can
take plenty of positives out of the game and it won't in any way change our
policy. Our idea is to go out and attack. That is what we are best suited
to. ``Nothing that happened at White Hart Lane will change our policy. If we
had had an opportunity, we would have gone for a fifth goal.''
Shaun Maloney will be pushing for a place in the starting line-up after
recovering from an ankle problem. But John Carew and Patrik Berger are still
ruled out with respective knee and calf injuries. West Ham assistant manager
Mervyn Day believes the club's new signings are beginning to show their
quality for the Upton Park side. Alan Curbishley's team travel to Villa Park
hoping to end a run of two straight defeats in the league following their
losses at Newcastle and at home to Arsenal. But West Ham's form away from
home has been good - they have won two of their three league matches outside
Upton Park - and Day is confident this can be continued. Although summer
signings Kieron Dyer, Scott Parker, Craig Bellamy and Julien Faubert miss
the game through injury, Curbishley is still expected to include Fredrik
Ljungberg, Henri Camara and Lee Bowyer in his starting XI against Martin
O'Neill's men. The Hammers will face former players Marlon Harewood and
Nigel Reo-Coker, who joined Villa in the summer, but Day is happy with the
playing squad. He said: ``We are looking at a situation where the players we
have signed have done really well for us. ``Playing Arsenal last week, which
came in between two away games, was difficult, and not being able to get a
result was disappointing. ``But we have had some good victories away from
home, at Birmingham and Reading, and we are looking forward to the game at
Villa. We will go there with a lot of hope.'' As well as Bellamy, Dyer,
Parker and Faubert, the Hammers are likely to be without defender Anton
Ferdinand, who has a slight hamstring strain. Danny Gabbidon is expected to
deputise alongside Matthew Upson in the centre of defence.
The match is the only one in the top flight this weekend to kick off at 3pm,
something Day is upset about. He added: ``As a traditionalist, I find it
quite sad. But having said, we do get an awful lot of money from the
television companies, so this is likely to happen again in the future.''
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Another View from Villa Park - Keen lot these Villa fans - WHO
Match Reporter - Fri Oct 5 2007
What do you expect from Villa this season?
To be honest I just expect an improvement on Martin's first season. A lot of
fans have been too carried away and thought of title challenge, or even
guaranteed Euro places, but I don't think we are that far along yet to
expect that sort of thing. We can certainly sneak Europe with the squad we
have but we need a few more signings before it's guaranteed. I'd be more
than happy with a finish around 8th place - anything else above that would
be a bonus.
Who do you think will be your star men this season?
At the moment I'd have to say Carson, Moore, Agbonlahor and Young. There are
a couple of others who might be in the reckoning for player of the season
come next summerish but at the moment if I had to put money on it, it would
be one of those 4, simply because I don't think we have seen the best of
them yet but they are already key players for us.
Who do you think shouldn't be in your starting 11?
Now we've had a few changes I think it would be unfair to pick out any one
player who shouldn't be starting for us. I'd have had a few suggestions a
few weeks ago but they have already been dropped. There are a couple on our
subs bench now who I think should still be warming up in the reserves but
with summer signings being few and far between I'm not sure who you could
confidently replace those on the bench with.
How did you rate your performances so far this season?
Our performances this season so far can be summed up by the Spurs game to be
honest. We either play like the first half, look dangerous on the attack,
converting our chances or like the second half we wouldn't look out of place
in a pub league. We severely lack some consistency and it seems that when we
are put under pressure everyone but the defence panics and loses the plot.
For the most part it is a marked improvement on the last few seasons and
MON's first season so the growth is there, we just aren't consistent enough
and we look awful, unable to do the basics etc too often at the moment.
Has Martin O'Neill spent well?
Spent well in terms of money v value is still under debate. £7 million for
Petrov, £3.5 million for Harewood etc. For those players who look useful,
there is a number who look like a complete waste of money. In terms of have
his signings improved our squad then yes he's spent well. NRC is a marked
improvement on Hendrie/McCann and so on and has really improved our
midfield. Harewood is his brief appearances so far is showing form no worse
than Baros/Angel. Petrov has shown moments of brilliance but they remain
moments sadly. Young is going to be a phenomenal star. As said, at the
moment the figures spent can still be debated (could we have achieved the
same improvement for half the price?), but overall the players brought in
have improved us and if they all find their form then we will be laughing.
At the moment that's still a big if for a number of them though.
What do you think rich overseas owners like have taken over both our clubs
is good for the game?
If you ask me about Glazer or the bloke who took aver Liverpool I'd say 'no,
and still unsure' respectively. I don't know much about Egghead to be fair
and although I could sit here criticising the money and wages you paid for
players in the hope of staying up last season till I'm blue in the face, you
can hardly say he's ruined the name of West Ham, or he's there soley to
cream profits. He's backed the manager and brought the players the manager
wanted. Just like you can sit there and criticise the money we spent on
Harewood, NRC Lerner is still backing the manager and signing the players he
identifies. With Lerner we have something different from the rest of the
'foreign' owners at the moment in so far as he is hugely fan orientated. The
board hold regular meetings with the fans and have made changes following
feedback. We have the General on fan forums and so on. For Villa our
'foreign' owner is a breath of fresh air and we wouldn't swop him for the
world. For West Ham I don't think Egghead has done much wrong and I think
he'll be good for you ultimately. But certain areas of the press and those
within the FA have a stigma over 'non British owners' as if it immediately
means they are no good for the club, each owner needs to be judged
separately I think. At the end of the day I'd say so far for every
'questionable foreign' owner now in the game we could between us pick out
10-20 former British owners who were far worse for the game.
How has our good friend Nigel Reo-Coker settled into the Midlands club
scene?
You mean you aren't missing him yet? He's been brilliant for us so far with
only a couple of below par performances. He's changed the face of our
midfield and it can now actually compete. The bloke doesn't stop running and
although I think we paid slightly over the odds for him, I think he'll be
worth the money.
Ditto Hong Kong Phooey aka Marlon Harwood?
Marlene has only had a few chances and they bounce between awful to half
decent. Probably too early to judge him properly as he hasn't had a run in
the first team yet. But as above, £3.5 million would leave you laughing (as
I know you were) but he's certainly no worse than those who he replaced.
We understood Ashley Young turned down West Ham for Villa because of a
certain Nigel Reo-Coker, he must be well chuffed but rumour has it Nigel has
already not been voted Mr Popular by his team mates, any truth in that?
Not as far as I know of. The dressing room is fine when you let Harewood and
Gabby argue over chances to score. I'd not heard that rumour before, to the
best of mine, West Ham and Spurs simply wouldn't meet the deal Villa would
and it was mildly swayed by O'Neill. All the press so far has been Young was
looking forward to joining up because he knew a number of players from the
U21's and same was said when NRC joined. There's certainly been no public
clash between them and they don't play like there is.
If there is any truth in it I guess it has been blown out of proportion as
its made it's way down to you, because our dressing room in the past has
always been a bit of a morgue with very few gobby players. NRC is gobby and
I imagine it's a bit of a culture shock - but that's just a guess and I only
mention it because I remember an article on our official site about NRC
being vocal in the dressing room aswell as on the pitch. It's no bad thing
we certainly needed it and have done for years, but it hasn't led to any
trouble.
Had Martin O'Neill ploy of moving the away fans down the side worked?
Not really an MON ploy, as fans we have been asking for it for years and our
new board listened and MON agreed and sealed it by stating the obvious
advantages from his point of view. Villa Park definitely seems louder now
and the atmosphere is better, but how much of that is down to moving the
away fans and how much is down to not having Ellis in control anymore is up
for debate.
What's your view on the Carlos Tevez affair?
May not be popular with you, may be unfair on Egghead as he pointed out but
West Ham knew the rules and you got off very very lightly. So did Tevez.
Most of what I could put here would simply be going over old ground but you
should've been docked points and Tevez should have had his registered
cancelled and held until the end of his contract with you, or at the very
least until a legal arrangement had been come to.
How do you think West Ham will do this season?
I don't expect you to be fighting relegation again put it that way. I think
you'll be in the mix with us to be honest, possible chance of Europe, but in
no way guaranteed. Top half definitely though I would imagine.
What West Ham players worry you most?
This is probably the hardest question because it really depends on whether
they are suspended or injured. There are a couple I could pick out but their
threat depends on whether we turn up to play or do a Leicester to be honest.
Bellamy has to be the worst regardless I think. Nasty horrible player that I
wish we'd have signed.
How do you view West Ham fans?
Through my eyes mainly, I must admit I told hold any specific views against
you. In many ways you are like us and the likes of Spurs, we can talk
history all day long but very little to chat about in the present at the
moment - therefore I think you lot are just suffering fans like us Villans
with finally something to look forward to.
What are you favourite flavour crisps (site joke)?
Any crisps made from potatoes, I tried some other varieties but they were
naff. If you asking about flavour then smokey bacon or chicken, but
considering I only eat them when I'm drunk I don't suppose the flavour
matters much.
Prediction?
I think we'll nick it by a goal. But I'm expecting an open attacking game so
3-2 to us.
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Villa ace right to snub Hammers - theexpressandstar.com
Ashley Young is sure he made the right choice in snubbing West Ham for Villa
- and he intends to rub the Hammers' faces in it tomorrow. Villa boss Martin
O'Neill revealed last week his biggest concern in the £8m battle for the
brilliant winger in January was West Ham's interest. The 22-year-old
eventually plumped for Villa and hasn't looked back since, becoming one of
the Premier League most exciting talents and winning a call-up to the full
England squad.
"I'm not going to lie - West Ham did come in for me and I went and had talks
with them," said Young. "But I chose Villa over West Ham and I believe I
made the right choice and I'm happy here. Things have gone really well and,
touch wood, they can get better. "From when I joined, I knew the club was
going places. I talked to the manager and chairman and from the first day at
training, I felt the club would go forward and push on. "This season looks
like being the one where it happens. The fans been great from the time I
came here. They've always been behind me. "I got brought to the club to do
the job the gaffer wanted me to and hopefully I'm repaying him. "Some people
would say this is a chance to show people what West Ham missed out on. "But
I'm just showing my team-mates, manager and chairman what I'm about and
hopefully after tomorrow's game we've got three points."
Villa are bidding to get back to winning ways after going out of the Carling
Cup to Leicester before drawing 4-4 at Tottenham. But Young believes Villa
have the scoring power to overcome any team. "We were disappointed to draw
4-4 after leading 4-1 - it felt like we'd lost when we got back to the
dressing room," he said. "But we're all looking forward to the game and
everyone will be looking for three points. "We always have it in mind to get
goals - we always know we're going to score and we always know we can beat
teams on our day and it was no different on Monday. "So it was disappointing
to draw, especially as it looked more than likely we were going to get three
points after going 4-1 up. "We have to correct our mistakes for tomorrow and
kick on from there."
Villa beat Chelsea before the last international break and he wants to go
out on a high, adding: "You always want to win before you go away - everyone
was on a high when we came back from the internationals. "So we want to do
that again."
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Nigel should be aiming for 2008 says O'Neill - Daily Mail
Last updated at 15:32pm on 5th October 2007
Martin O'Neill believes Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker is capable of
breaking into the England squad for the Euro 2008 finals as he prepares to
face former club West Ham for the first time since his £8.5million summer
switch. Reo-Coker skippered the England Under-21 side during the European
Championship finals in Holland in June before making the move to Villa Park.
He has made an impressive start under O'Neill who has confidence in the
former Wimbledon player to make the senior international breakthrough along
with Villa team-mates Gareth Barry, Ashley Young and Scott Carson. O'Neill
said: "There were other teams very interested in signing him. I was very
pleased he decided to come to us. West Ham told us there were other offers
and I was very pleased to get him. "He has done well for us and is very
conscientious. He is still finding his feet here and that is pleasing
because there is much more to come from him. "I think if England qualify for
Euro 2008, which you would expect them to, then Nigel would have time to
make a big enough impression to be heading with that squad to Austria and
Switzerland in the summer time. "That should be a driving ambition of his -
and I am sure it is."
O'Neill is happy with the way Reo-Coker and Barry have combined in the
centre of the park but is not getting carried away with first impressions.
He said: "All those things I thought I saw from a distance, Nigel has shown
so far for us. "I think his game has helped Gareth although Gareth has been
making significant progress for some time and he was a very good player
before Nigel arrived at the club. "Gareth has done a lot himself but I would
accept the fact that there has also been some sort of influence on the side
from Nigel. "They are doing fine as a pairing, and they are playing strongly
together, and I am very pleased for both of them, but it is early yet to
make positive assumptions you expect to last for the rest of the season."
O'Neill was disappointed to see his side surrender a three-goal lead in the
final 20 minutes and have to settle for a 4-4 draw at Tottenham on Monday.
But that will not result in him becoming more conservative in his approach
to the Hammers game as he vowed to continue Villa's attacking policy.
O'Neill said: "I suppose if you look at how the game was looking with 20
minutes to go, you would say that it was two points dropped. "But for long
periods we played very well and the side gaining more experience, I would
hope we would hang on the next time in the same circumstances. "We can take
plenty of positives out of the game and it won't in any way change our
policy. Our idea is to go out and attack. That is what we are best suited
to. "Nothing that happened at White Hart Lane will change our policy. If we
had had an opportunity, we would have gone for a fifth goal. "You do have to
remember that Tottenham are a very good side with strikers as good as any in
the Premier League and more experienced sides than us have succumbed to a
bit of pressure."
Shaun Maloney will be pushing for a place in the starting line-up after
recovering from an ankle problem. But John Carew (knee) and Patrik Berger
(calf) are still ruled out.
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Day: Irons stars showing quality- TeamTalk
West Ham assistant manager Mervyn Day believes the club's new signings are
beginning to show their quality for the Upton Park side. Alan Curbishley's
team travel to Aston Villa for Saturday's Premier League clash hoping to end
a run of two straight defeats in the league, following their losses at
Newcastle and at home to Arsenal.
But West Ham's form away from home has been good - they have won two of
their three league matches outside Upton Park - and Day is confident this
can be continued.
Although summer signings Kieron Dyer, Scott Parker, Craig Bellamy and Julien
Faubert miss the game through injury, Curbishley is still expected to
include Fredrik Ljungberg, Henri Camara and Lee Bowyer in his starting XI
against Martin O'Neill's men. The Hammers will face former players Marlon
Harewood and Nigel Reo-Coker, who joined Villa in the summer, but Day is
happy with the playing squad.
He said: "We are looking at a situation where the players we have signed
have done really well for us. Playing Arsenal last week, which came in
between two away games, was difficult, and not being able to get a result
was disappointing. "But we have had some good victories away from home, at
Birmingham and Reading, and we are looking forward to the game at Villa. "We
will go there with a lot of hope."
As well as Bellamy, Dyer, Parker and Faubert, the Hammers are likely to be
without defender Anton Ferdinand, who has a slight hamstring strain. Danny
Gabbidon is expected to deputise alongside Matthew Upson in the centre of
defence. The match is the only one in the top flight this weekend to kick
off at 3pm, something Day is upset about. He added: "As a traditionalist, I
find it quite sad. But having said, we do get an awful lot of money from the
television companies, so this is likely to happen again in the future."
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Day's regret over Young - Daily Mail
Last updated at 10:05am on 5th October 2007
West Ham assistant manager Mervyn Day has revealed he and Alan Curbishley
failed with two bids to sign Ashley Young from Watford. The forward almost
moved to Upton Park in January but instead went to Aston Villa for
£9.65million. Young will be up against West Ham tomorrow and Day said: "We
also tried to sign him when we were at Charlton. "We tracked him for some
time and I must have seen him about a dozen times." West Ham will be without
Craig Bellamy (groin) and Scott Parker (knee) at Villa Park.
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