Another day has past and Aston Villa has continued to show improvements. Villa took on Feyenoord today in the Guadiana Cup and we looked very sharp. 

By far the player that stood out the most was Albrighton. His first goal was a screamer from 20 yard out that beat the goalkeepers top left. To this point I’ve read nothing but good things about this lad so far and I finally got to see him in action today. I really hope he gets some playing time this season as he needs to go from just getting his feet wet from going in waist deep in the water of the Premier League. Get him in a rotation with our boys and watch him flourish!

There is a new rule in the league stipulating that a roster cannot be above 25 players and of that 8 must be from England. Interesting rule to be put it but it makes complete sense. 

For one it cuts back on teams such as the current Manc Sheiky from coming in and buying up all the best mid fielders and having a surplus of players in the position. Helps level the playing field out though it still doesn’t fully prevent a team from buying up the 25 best talents. The one big problem is the English players rule as this will now increase the prices of players.  It’s no secret that England talent has been few and far between as of late as many teams look elsewhere in the world to sign players and now this will only increase the financial obligation of clubs to these players.  The best bit in my eyes, clubs need to trim out players now if over the 25 mark and that allows some great bargains to start coming out.  Villa can benefit from this once the new figures start coming out for players.  MON’s strategy of waiting may have paid off this season.  Of course now we just need to see it all put into action and someone get signed.

I would go on to talk about the transfers and such but it is no secret that Villa has been quiet in this department.  Lots of players being linked away from the club but besides Sidwell the rest are remaining put.  Hard to say but I have a strange feeling that Milner may not be heading anywhere after all.  Though will all the media bits floating around we will never know what is happening to either he’s sold or the window is shut.  The buzz seems to have died down around it the last few days though as if its old news so now maybe some business can actually be done. 

As a side note last week I and my mate from Brighton went to a match of the local team Thunder Bay Chill SC, which by the way won their division tonight and are heading to the semis of the League next weekend!  While there I bumped into a guy wearing an Aston Villa shirt as well.  A former resident of Birmingham who now lives here in Thunder Bay, I mentioned Avillafan to him and maybe he will end up joining us on here.  He wanted me to pass along a message though,

UP THE VILLA!

I also want to leave you the readers with this video that popped up on my youtube the other day and I am sure everyone will appreciate it. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgMCKkaCgcg&NR=1

Benfica v Aston Villa tomorrow looking forward to the match and can’t wait to cheer on the lads.

Be loud be proud be…VILLA

Over the years going to Walsall for pre-season has become a bit of a tradition for both players and fans assosiated with Aston Villa so it was no real surprise when Villa filled two of Walsall’s stands and clearly outnumbered the home side.

Despite it being a friendly it was a Midlands derby and there was a police presence on the night but with both set’s of fans in very good behaviour, they wasn’t really needed.

To the game anyway, Villa picked a mostly youthful and reserve side with the exception of John Carew, James Collins and Brad Friedel. With the other big names including Nigel Reo-Coker, Steve Sidwell and Curtis Davis.

James Collins was replaced almost as quickly as he ran onto the pitch at the start of the game with what looked like a pull, although later reports confirmed he was already suffering with a knock from the weekend game in Dublin.

It was a game that was dominated from start to finish from Villa as expected with a few flashes from Walsall and goals in each half from Andreas Weimann was enough to cancel out Alex Nicholls late goal for the Saddlers.

Just like last season I have been hearing a lot of glowing reports for a certain Marc Albrighton and he certainly ran the show last night as the winger terrified the Walsall defense.

Overall it was a good run out as it always is against a side that always want to get one over on Villa so we can head to Portugal with our heads held high, and I would only presume a lot of the senior guys will feature the weekend.

Villa lost there second pre-season game in three yesterday when they went down to Irish champions Bohemians 2-1.

A game that sore well over 700 Villa fans turn up for the fixture, sore them leave disappointed with many stating that a certain James Milner needs to go and be replaced as soon as possible.

The home side took the lead despite Villa missing a host of chances when Brad Friedel miscued his clearance which then fell kindly for Conor Powell who then lobbed the Villa keeper.

Villa were back on level terms with 21 minutes left on the clock when man of the match Marc Albrighton sent over a fantastic ball witch met big John Carews head who steered the ball into the back of the net.

Bohemians were to have the last laugh though when they scored late on witch was enough to beat Villa. Enzo and Maddan combined beautifully to unlock the Villa defence before Enzo slotted past Brad Friedel.

Although this is a nothing game, It is a game we have to be winning especially against a side who got hammered last week to TNS and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

‘Arry joins the Milner Race

Harry Redknapp has joined the race to sign James Milner and this could be just what Villa need to force the price up to around £30million as MON as stated he wants.

City looked like they wasn’t going to budge on there £24million offer but now with competition they will have to if they want to get there man.

Just like the Barry saga last summer, I just wish we could get this sorted and get it over and done with so we can move on.

Villa headed to London Road tonight for there first pre-season game of the summer to take on League 1 outfit Peterborough.

John Carew came close early on but it was the home side who looked more dangerous at a very muggy London Road.

However, it was Villa who took the lead thanks to Ashley Young. He took a touch before superbly lobbing Lewis in the boro goal in a goal that was described as one of the best you will see in a pre-season fixture.

Posh equalised almost immedietly thanks to Aaron Davis. He fooled the Villa backline before beating two Villa players and slotting past Brad Friedel in the Villa goal.

Both sides created chances and came close but Villa once again took the lead. John Carew converted a cross with a neat little flick and it went in of the inside of the post.

Villa soon doubled there lead when Eric Lichaj fired a header past Joe Lewis to make it 3-1.

The home side then pulled one back thanks to Charlie Lee but it wasn’t good enough to give the home side a share of the spiles.

It was a useful run out for Martin O’Neill’s head before the head over to Ireland this coming weekend.