Obviously I welcome any new signings, but after seeing Downing make his debut, I feel we have a very strong squad. What are your opinions? A world class striker who can finish properly would be top on my list.

R x

In my opinion Heskey is past it, Capello doesn’t have unlimited options up front, but he certainly has better options than Heskey, Abonglahor for one, not to mention the likes of Defoe, Cole, Crouch and even Owen!

For Villa this couldn’t be better news, I remember reading a statistic which stated that during his time on the pitch, Villa have only scored 5 goals, and without him on the pitch scored over 20. Maybe this will put Heskey in MON’s bad books and he wont play him, we have a much much much better striker in John Carew, who actually scores goals and makes a difference on the pitch, so lets sell up and buy someone who can compete with Abonglahor for a starting place.

R x

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Today Villa played in the Peace Cup today and apparently they defeated Atlante 3-1 with goals from Marc Albrighton, John Carew, and Ashley Young. I didn’t have a chance to watch the match but from the reports I have read they came from 1 down and scored 3 unanswered to secure their spot in the semi-finals on Friday night. Porto now await them after an impressive win against OL. A friendly is a friendly so I don’t take too much stock in this result but unfortunately Stiliyan Petrov came off injured. He was diagnosed with a dislocated shoulder and he should miss a few weeks, hopefully to be back by the beginning of the season. I would love to bring a little bit of insight on how the team looks right now, but since I didnt have a chance to see the game, I’ll leave the conclusions to you!

Now on to how our team looks on paper:

GOALKEEPERS

There is not much to say which hasn’t been said already. In my opinion, this is the strongest part of our team. Bradley Friedel will be the starter come Matchday 1, but Brad Guzan has put in some impressive performances as of late and we should expect to see some split time as the season progresses. For me, a good keeper is a luxury, not a necessity. Unfortunately our strength at keeper will keep us in a few games, maybe win a game or two, but it will not make or break the season for the Villains. Again, the goalkeeper position is great for us to have depth at, but its the men in front of the net who are going to either help us crack the top four or keep us mired in the Europa League.

DEFENSE

As of today, Villa Park has only seen transfers out of the back four and the squad is in desperate need of some reinforcements, especially on the wings. Currently our only established wing backs are Luke Young on the right and Nickey Shorey (who was not impressive last year) on the left. And really the only two we have in the middle are Curtis Davies and Carlos Cuellar, with Carlos not being a regular last year in the middle. It is obvious that we are weak along the back line, and with MON insisting that the lack of depth hurt Villa down the stretch last season, I would love to see some of the Barry money spent in the back. With the retirement of Martin Laursen and the recent sale of Zat Knight, we are currently down two centre-backs and we have no proven back-ups at any position. Obviously the return of Wilfred Bouma will give the squad a solid player who can play at multiple positions, but he has not played in a long time and it will take him match practice to get back to the player he used to be. Villa have recently been associated with some defenders in the transfer rumors lately, but nothing has come to fruition. Last year, Craig Gardner and Nigel Reo-Coker both filled in admirably at the back, but they are not natural defenders. After the loss of two more centre-backs, MON NEEDS to go out into the transfer market. I would like to see someone like Gianni Zuiverloon of West Brom, or Habib Beye or Sebastien Bassong of Newcastle step into the fold at Villa Park. There are some promising youngsters within the club and they are seeing plenty of time in the pre-season, but we still lack depth and this must be addressed ASAP.

What do you think? Let me know!

Next Up: Midfield

From a promising youngster with silly hair, David Bentley has gradually grown into one of the most lamented wastes of talent in English football. The Arsenal youngster (described by a Gooner mate of mine as a “silly chav who thought he was better than Pires and Bergkamp but never did anything to justify his arrogance”) has shot himself in the foot so many times that he can play it like a recorder.

Having become quite a magnificent flop since his big-money “ambitious” move from Blackburn Rovers to Tottenham Hotspur, Bentley’s being linked with a transfer to Aston Villa. Again. But is he the man for the job? And is he worthy?

The New David Beckham?

The comparisons with Goldenballs came thick and fast while Bentley was at Blackburn. There, he actually began to show his worth. Bentley is a little like Beckham in a few ways. Both have talented right feet, and Bentley is lethal from dead balls when he’s on his game. One could argue that Beckham is a little harder working and Bentley a tad quicker, but the similarities are there for all to see.

Once upon a time, the thought of Bentley replacing Beckham on England’s right flank when Beckham hangs up his boots was pretty exciting.

His own worst enemy

Sadly, Bentley has proven that he is not capable of achieving such status. It’s not down to the boy’s lack of talent, but his attitude and his apparent laziness. It’s quite depressing, really. When you hear Bentley talking, he seems like a down-to-earth, clever lad (with supreme confidence, admittedly). But that just doesn’t translate to his football career. Professionally, he is massively arrogant and lacks focus, humility and willingness to work. Perhaps that will rule him out of a Villa move.

Bentley’s considerable ability was first overshadowed and then made obsolete by his own ego.

Missing piece of the puzzle?

Bentley doesn’t strike me as a Villa prospect, but there are arguments that have been made in favour. Firstly, Martin O’Neill has a reputation for taking talented, wayward players on and getting the best out of them. Bentley certainly falls into that category.

It’s also very obvious that we lack a little creative spark in midfield. Bentley certainly has that capability, and when he’s on his game he is able to pick a killer pass or telling cross from almost nothing. But it’s been a while since he’s done that.

Too good for Villa?

Well, I think the main issue is where would we play him? I’d have James Milner on the right before Bentley every day of the week, but if Bentley wants to swap benches that’s his look-out.

But the reason I don’t want David Bentley at Aston Villa is that he thinks he’s too good for us – and he ain’t. It’s now generally accepted that we were in for Bentley last summer and it seems he wasn’t interested. And he ended up at (snigger) SPURS! Now, whether that was down to “ambition” or money, he’s snubbed us once.

In my view, that’s a missed chance Bentley should never be able to rectify. You don’t mess with Villa.

Aston Villa left back Wilfred Bouma, by far my favourite player and one who could form part of a rock solid back four with Martin Laursen, Curtis Davies and Luke Young next season, sustained a particularly nasty dislocated ankle way back in July. He picked up the injury at Villa Park in our Intertoto Cup win over Odense, and seeing his leg in the air in the ungodly shape it created was a moment I’ll never forget.

We’ve missed Freddie, but now he’s back. Bouma played a full 90 minutes for the reserve team last night, featuring in Kevin MacDonald’s team as it beat Chelsea 4-3. Some quotes from the Dutchman on his return, stolen unashamedly from AVFC.co.uk:

“It was a good game to come back for because it was very high-tempo. We weren’t really in it for the first 15 minutes but gradually we came back and deserved the win. I have played 45 and 70 minutes in behind-closed-doors games but this was something different. It was a proper competitive match in front of supporters and it was great to be out there. What pleased me was that it felt so natural to be out there playing – even though I have been out of action for many months.”

Welcome back, Freddie B. But what to do with him? I think we’re clearly lacking in the full back department. Luke Young has been an absolute revelation – even at left back – but it’s clear that Martin O’Neill doesn’t fancy Nicky Shorey, because Craig Gardner, Nigel Reo-Coker and Carlos Cuellar are definitely not right backs. The ideal scenario for me is Young on the right and Bouma on the left.

However, I think I’d prefer we didn’t see Bouma start a first team game this season. We have only 11 matches left, and although he’s the best full back on our books I see little reason to rush him back from serious injury. If anything, we need to get Reo-Coker back in for Cuellar at right back to give James Milner some support up that right wing.

So close to the end of the season, I hope O’Neill gives Bouma a full pre-season before throwing him in at the deep end. Yes, we’ve got plenty to play for, but surely it’s best to protect Freddie for as long as possible? What do you think?

Meanwhile, Isaiah Osbourne has joined Nottingham Forest on loan until the end of the season. The 21-year-old midfielder has featured intermittently in our European adventure this season, and has been knocking around for what seems like forever.

I don’t like to be too critical of any Villa player, least of all a kid. But Ozzy is no footballer. He’s just simply not good enough, and I believe he sticks out like a sore thumb even in the company of his apparent equals. The likes of Moustapha Salifou and Barry Bannan have, for me, shown more than Osbourne. Apart from that excellent performance at Goodison Park once upon a time, Ozzy has consistently looked like a rabbit in headlights whenever he’s pulled on the shirt.

It’s a shame for the lad, because he always works his socks off, but the quality just isn’t there. I hope he does well at Forest, because there must be talent in there – he wouldn’t have got to where he has without it. If he performs for the rest of the season, perhaps a permanent move would be best all round.

What do you guys think of Ozzy?

Stieber has fallen behind Barry Bannan in the pecking order at Aston Villa. I wish him well in the future.

Meanwhile, Villa skipper Martin Laursen has retired from international football for Denmark. He won 38 caps for his country, and has packed it in to prolong his Villa career. You know, what with his dodgy knees and that.

In other good news, John Carew has been named in the squad for tomorrow’s home tie against Wigan Athletic. Carew has been out for a long old while with a mysterious back injury, and should find himself on the bench behind debut goal hero Emile Heskey.

Laursen ruled out for 8 weeks

Aston Villa skipper Martin Laursen has unfortunately succumbed to his knee injury and the club has confirmed that the big Dane is out for two months following surgery.

When he first signed from AC Milan, Laursen had trouble with his knees (remind you of anyone), but has had a fantastic run of appearances thanks to Martin O’Neill, improved facilities at Bodymoor and a few Lerner-funded consultations with Dr Richard Steadman.

I suppose it was inevitable that injury would eventually return, and I believe O’Neill prioritised Carlos Cuellar’s signing in August for that very reason. With Wilfred Bouma edging his way back to fitness, Cuellar should soon move alongside Curtis Davies in the middle. In all honesty I don’t think that’s any worse than Laursen and Davies.

We also have Zat Knight who, despite the appalling stick he gets from some “supporters”, is very capable.

Villa to complete Heskey signing

Now then – Emile Heskey. Aston Villa have confirmed that a £3.5m deal has been agreed with Wigan Athletic for the big forward and he is currently discussing personal terms.

I really do have mixed feelings on this one. I hated Heskey when he was at the Pornodrome, and I was no fan of his at Liverpool either. Ever since his days at Anfield, I’ve called him Rollerskates on account of him being such a big bastard and yet falling over so easily.

That said, I was won over – like many – by his recent England performances, and have come to see his value as a non-striking striker. I’m sure Michael Owen and Amr Zaki would agree.

So here’s my take. I’m not jumping for joy, but I think he can do a job for us. I think Gabby Agbonlahor will score more goals, and I think Heskey will provide the focus we lack without big John Carew. I’ll support Heskey like any other Villa player.

What do you think of this transfer?

Elsewhere? Rumour after rumour after rumour. We’re after Emile Heskey, apparently. And Craig Bellamy and Roque Santa Cruz. And Matt Upson. And Kenwyne Jones. And Roberto Canella and Aiden McGeady. It’s a list that goes on and on.

But part of the joy of being an Aston Villa fan is knowing that you simply can’t second guess manager Martin O’Neill, and we’ll probably only hear whispers of any real signings the day before they actually arrive at Villa Park.

To make things more difficult to guage, Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp’s jealousy of Villa manifests itself in two ways: first, he winds up the supporters and bitches like a schoolgirl when they react and, second, he uses us as his decoy club when tapping up transfer targets through the media.

So when Redknapp openly discusses a player likely to sign for Villa, you know for a fact that we’re not interested and that said player will beg to leave his club to join dodgy old Uncle ‘Arry at Spurs. Remember Younes Kaboul in August?

So while other Villa bloggers are doing a grand job of keeping on top of all the crazy rumours and links, even analysing them in depth in many cases, I’m just going to save myself for the real thing. O’Neill would only end up making me look stupid.

Routledge was signed by Martin O’Neill from Tottenham Hotspur in January 2008, Villa’s only signing of that particular window. He’s found first team opportunities hard to come by, but has played well for Villa’s reserves and stepped up when required for first eleven action. We’ve only seen a bit of Wayne, but he’s applied himself well on each of his rare appearances.

It sounds like he’s done well at Cardiff since going there on loan, and his skill and speed should see him continue to succeed in the Championship. That’s assuming he does indeed move to Loftus Road, and that he can keep his confidence up. Sadly, he just wasn’t good enough for a Villa side Gunning for the Champions League.

Good luck Wayne.

Well, Aston Villa already have the wheels in motion – apparently we’re close to signing 17-year-old Dutch defender (seems he’s a centre back or right back) Arsenio Halfuid. Halfuid plays for Feyenoord and his agent, Willie Haatrecht, told Sky Sports that Villa are busting a gut to seal his signature.

But the most intense speculation currently is about a possible move for West Ham United’s Craig Bellamy. That’s pretty controversial, no two ways about it.

Bellamy is none-too-popular in football. His altercation with Mary Poppins, the ‘golf club’ incident and several other sundry run-ins have given him a fully-deserved reputation as a poisonous little cretin.

So do we really want the likes of Craig Bellamy at Aston Villa?

I’m genuinely going to sit on the fence on this one. Standing (sorry sitting, sitting!) at Upton Park on Saturday, it was clear to me that Bellamy is rather a good player. He created almost everything West Ham had to offer, and he was so, so clever in exploiting any gaps in our back four. He’s also got a vicious shot on him. We need a bit of that action.

What’s more, Martin O’Neill got the best out of Bellamy at Celtic, where the Welsh attacker himself admits he had a good time. The question is this: would our harmonious dressing room force Bellamy to pipe down, or would it be rocked by his presence?

Eddie Griffin at Soccerlens thinks the suggested move – Marlon Harewood plus cash for Bellamy – would be a good one all round. If O’Neill wants the Welshman, it would be a good deal for Aston Villa, Craig Bellamy and Marlon Harewood. But I disagree with Eddie’s view that it would be a good deal for West Ham.

Judging by their performance against Villa, a Hammers side without Bellamy would be a bit lifeless. Harewood is not the man upon whom to pin all your hopes and dreams, much as I like him.

Still, I’m not sure Bellamy is the man for Villa either. But I’d rather him at this stage than Jermain Defoe.

Thoughts?