Written by Damian Wednesday, 14 October 2009 14:19
Someone emailed in telling me about this, saying they heard it on the radio this morning but I didn't believe it. I know Martin O'Neill likes to play his players and doesn't like to change the team, but wanting Emile Heskey at centre back, can this really be true?
You might think it rubbish but The Times are running with it and I doubt Peter Lansley would run with this unless it was true, but you never know.
For those that don't remember that was the game we won 2-0 and Ciaran Clark was fantastic and was praised by Martin O'Neill afterwards.
But this article by Peter Lansley is quite specific.
The Villa manager asked Heskey to play in defence for the home match with Fulham in August to bail the team out at a time of defensive crisis, and the player replied that he was not comfortable with the idea, having never played a full game there.
Now, when I first got told about this, I was convinced it was pure speculation and if it were true I can understand why Heskey might not like the idea, but could it really be true? Lansley is also suggesting that this could be why Heskey hasn't featured that much since although 'sources at Villa reacted furiously last night to the idea that this had led to Heskey being frozen out by O’Neill'.
I suspect, if that was last night, then the source that was furious was Brian Doogan, the new Head of Media at the club and it was probably not the best second day someone has had at the club, again, if all the above is true, but again, would Peter Lansley write it if it wasn't?
We've got the likes of Ciaran Clark and Shane Lowry that when asked, have stood up and demonstrated that they are capable, so why would O'Neill ask Heskey to play unless he didn't have the confidence to throw the younger players in at the deep end.
I also apologise if this is old news, but I hadn't heard it before or if I did, I didn't connect the dots.
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Robbie
said:
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... Haha. Class. I feel Heskey's agent might be making sneaky little whispers to journalists. |
ronrabbit
said:
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... It would be completly ridiculous to play hesky at cb, you would have to be tottally insane to come up with that idea. Having said that would it have honestly surprised anyone if o'neill had played him at cb? I wouldnt, it would be catastrophic, but it does seem like the sort of decision o'neill would consider. |
Villa_Chris
said:
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... I can understand it to be honest..... Dublin used to play CB for Villa on occasions too. If it is true, you do have to feel a little bit sorry for Heskey (even Chiefy!), considering the fact he's leading the line for England and being asked to play CB for his club. |
Geoff
said:
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... They are definitely going to get rid of this guy, probably Reo-Coker too. Liverpool will buy Heskey so he can help them NOT finish in the Top 4. They do however need a dynamic force in the midfield and probably someone else who can contribute some goals from the attacking positions. Side note: I am American, but I have a deep family history going back generations to the Lydney section of Gloustershire. I have liked soccer/football for many years though in the US my city is getting its first MLS team in 2010. But I have been supporting Aston Villa for some time. I was wondering if people from that Lydney area actually Do support Villa in the Premiership or do they support Birmingham/Wolverhampton or Coventry City in the Championship??? I was curioius how your supporting protocol is when you have so many teams at so many levels in your area in teh same sport...I chose Aston Villa because they are the Prem team that ahs teh best history of any of the closer teams to the area where my family is from. I dont have this problem with the German side because they were from Hamburg, but I was wondering if anyone can shed some light on this...thanks. |
holteend paul
said:
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... as silly as it sounds, playing cf and playing cb are not that completly different as i played up front most of my career and dropped back when i got older.  |
frosty
said:
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... MON speaking sense again .. Players need to remember themselves here. The World Cup isn't next week, not before Christmas and not even before Easter. It's a long, long way away. |
ak_27
said:
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... Well it doesn't suprise me one bit. What gets to me is that Clarke played so well in the peace cup up againest some top quality footballers. How MON could actiually think that Heskey would be abetter CB is just beyond me. Just goes to show how much of a chance the youngsters will get under MON. |
frosty
said:
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... One last post then work ( sorry it's off subject ) Just read this and though it should be shared as it was spoken by General Krulak relating to Randy looking for investments, make of it what you will.. First and foremost, Randy is not seeking to sell a part of the Club. He has no desire to have a coalition running the Club so the idea of investment is not the 'equity' investment that some might believe. Simply put, the Board is looking at the same sales and sponsorship opportunities that we have been looking at since the taking over the Club. |
Badger
said:
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... Damian, You ought to read your own blog mate, we were discussing this last night  He certainly can't be any worse as a CB than he is as a striker. Geoff, I was wondering if people from that Lydney area actually Do support Villa in the Premiership or do they support Birmingham/Wolverhampton or Coventry City in the Championship??? I can't comment about Lydney specifically but I do know there are many Villa supporters in Gloucestershire. Given the other options are the Bristol clubs, I suppose it's understandable. |
GGGG
said:
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... Geoff said: I was wondering if people from that Lydney area actually Do support Villa in the Premiership or do they support Birmingham/Wolverhampton or Coventry City in the Championship??? I expect most of them support Man Utd, Chelsea & Liverpool, like most other places in England that don't host a premiership club! Otherwise it'd most likely be Swindon or one of the Bristol clubs I'd have thought... anyone's welcome as a Villa fan though - we don't do it for the glory! Is Heskey represented by the same agent as Curtis Davies by any chance? |
Villa_Chris
said:
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...right here we go randy is talking to a possible investor to raise funds to spend 40 million on the ground and to assist him in splashing more cash to put villa at the next level all will come clear in the next 4 weeks. If a suscessful partner wants to come on board and there is no guarntees. rest assured randy is still 100 committed to villa . the other way to fund the extra is to sell other interest he has . but that is a massive move so i think we will wait. all i can say is the partner he wants will have to show 200million in investments Coming from an 'insider'. |
Villa_Chris
said:
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... He also said.... "I only know of one target in jan and he is a gem . mon has huge faith in fab being a top class midfeilder . it is to early to say exactly whats happening yet will keep you informed as i get the info" Interesting |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
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... Heskey played as a CB thorughout his amateur career and made the switch to CF quite late in his Academy years at Leicester. Hence he would have been playing CB as a kid when MoN was at the club. How often have you seen CB's chucked up front to get a goal? Big Dion switched to CB later in his career and did a bloody good job so I don't see the problem apart from Heskey's ego. As it stands Clarke did well and now we have an extra option at the back. No worries. If Heskey wants to stay and fight for his place then fine, but he needs to improve both his scoring record and his attitude. If he wants to go, fine, we have Delfouneso and McGurk and cash for a new striker in January. I couldn't care less about the hole situation. As far as i'm concerned he isn't a first pick, he is currently a squad player and that's that. I like him and I think he could do some good, but I don't like this whispering to the press rubbish that seems to go on at our club with Barry and Davies mouthing off. Credit to Coker for keeping his mouth shut and Heskey should know by now that this isn't the way to treat MoN. |
ak_27
said:
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... JPA and how often in the PL have you ever seen a forward go and play at CB? Never mind a club with top 4 aspirations. |
Geoff
said:
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... Well thanks for the help. I think that Aston Villa was the right choice then. I think Birmingham City's owners are shady as heck, and they could end up having a Liverpool/Leeds situation on their hands where the owners come in and buy the team with fake money and then saddle the fans with the burden, steal/pocket all of the real money and assets and then get out of town - just like George Gillet is trying to do right now to leave Liverpool. Randy Lerner is a well respected owner in the NFL, but his General Manager in Cleveland for years was incompetent and was not replaced until this past January. So other than that, his players are very active in the community as a positive force (except for the ones that get arrested and convicted of manslaughter for killing people while drunk driving, which happened last year). Does any one know how much Lerner will give the Manager in January to bolster the squad with? 12-15M would be very nice...they could get a solid Midfielder and a depth forward for that maybe. then they could add midfield and defense depth with any potential sales of Reo-Coker and Heskey. But I really feel they need a Marquee player in the Central Midfield to draw attention and to run the offense through him. I really do think that this team can compete with Spurs and Manchester City to take Liverpools spot. I have to think that Manchester United will spend mad money in January because they might falter and become vulnerable in the Top 4 if they get some injuruies. Plus, with all that Ronaldo transfer money they are just primed and waiting to spend it. Liverpool is DONE, now with injuries to Torres and Gerrard and Aquilant still yet to make his club debut. I have predicted on other sites that Liverpool will start to conduct a firesale in January, with Mascherano, Babel, and as many as 3 other notable players leaving. I also think that selling Fernando Torres will be seen as a financial solution to their crisis over there and that in the offseason they will sell him for MAD money to another Premier League squad - because Torres has shown he belongs in this league. The easiest things for me to figure out when I started following the Premiership were the teams I hate. That being Chelsea, Manchester United, and Manchester City (because their owner is a war criminal). I like a few players on Liverpool, but their owners are SO shady because they are already known to do the same type of stuff in America with the Dallas Stars, Texas Rangers, and Montreal Canadiens. I dont hate Arsenal because I respect Arsene Wenger's ability to coach up and develop young talented players. I dont know anything about Wolverhampton, but I just liked Villa's club history in terms of founding and tradition. Coventry City has a nice looking stadium, and perhaps they could be on the rise to the Premiership, so maybe theyll quality as a taem that I "dont't hate." The Bristol teams dont do a lot for me though. Also, whats the latest local information Aston Villa's plans to expand Villa Park? I read a story on ESPN a while back and have heard nothing since... |
Cannock Villa
said:
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... For 50K a week or whatever un-holy sum he is on, Emile Heskey should be prepared to play in the nude if Martin O'Neill so decrees!! |
ric
said:
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... well if he expects long balls - heskey could just knock them down to the keeper or other cb - he manages that quite well when playing up front  |
Chiefy
said:
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... Well a couple of blogs ago i mentioned i had spent time looking into Lerner. As the post further up mentions he could sell his other interest which is The Browns, now this is not as silly as it sounds, Lerner is having a bad time with them and their fans, the fans have started a petition and want him to sell the club, he has lost interest and wants to make his own way, the browns was his fathers, his love for football and Villa is far greater. Lerner is employing people to look after the Browns for him and the fas dont like it or the people he employees he sacks them and has to pay compo, the yanks like there owners to be hands on and run around on tele in the caps etc etc and Lerner has not got the time because of us, he spends more time sorting Villa out than the Browns thats why the want him to sell the Browns |
DAVID VILLA
said:
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... Heskey can go in january if he wants like im botherd he was part of the reason we dipped form last season he is not the ploayer we needed or want be honest i think harwood is a much better player who agrees? |
DAVID VILLA
said:
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... Reo coker needs to stay he is a grafter and we all know it look at the respose of the fans when he warmed up last game |
Chiefy
said:
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... Geoff - Villa park is going to be increased to 55,000 we where due to host the olympic football games but pulled out as work would be being done on the ground and we could not commit to it being done by then or pushing bck the time the work begins |
Geoff
said:
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... Any potential NFL sale will take a while to push through. Especially now that one of the most controversial and divisive political radio talk show hosts in America is trying to purchase an NFL team. The league does not want this person to become an owner and will try to attract other people to buy in. But when they turn him down and Lerner sells to someone else there could be trouble. Although, since Lerner is not like Gillett/Hicks, he would actually invest some of the money from that sale into Aston Villa, probably to pay for the new stadium improvements and to bolster the trsnfer budget. Ason Villa is on the cusp of being a TOp 4 team in the PL, they just need a bit of a boost in the transfer budget to add the final few pieces of the puzzle while dropping the dead weight guys who are creating a negative attitude in the locker room. |
Geoff
said:
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... Nice, have you been able to find a link to the architects renderings? I presume they will round off the corners of the stadium and fill the holes there like many of the other English clubs with that same stadium template. Probably add some more suites to get more corporate money and sponsorship... |
Geoff
said:
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... With a 55,000 seat stadium it will become a 5-star FIFA rated stadium, capable of hosting Champions League Finals, That means they will dramatically increase stadium revenue and usage fees...Do they host musical concerts there in the summer? thats more income...with all os that extra money from the stadium I think they will become a perennial contender for the Premier League and potentially seal a Top 4 place with some regularity...good times ahead if Lerner comes through with the funding or continues to build the club to a point where someone who does have the funds will buy the club... I say the Top 4 thing because I think Liverpool has several years of misery ahead of them. They are going to be pushed back down to a mid-table team after their owners are done bankrupting their company. They have NO personal liability for any of that money Liverpool owes because they created a shell corporation - Kop Holdings - to be responsible for the debt. Therefore, the corporation is in debt, not George Gillett and Tom Hicks. When they do go on a fire sale (within 18 months Id say to knock down the debt to attract a buyer) Liverpool will plummett down the table, and that decline has already begun early in this season as you have seen. The trick will be to beat out Spurs and Man City. That will be exciting to watch. |
danceoftheshamen
said:
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... Geoff.. totally agree about the need for a "marquee" type player!! It just has to be a creative goal-scoring midfielder such as Wesley Sneijder. I feel the side is very good but just lacks that "world class" edge which a player of real pedigree would add. Most good sides are full of strong solid performers with just one or two real class players in the goal scoring & creative positions & that is the difference between finishing 5th or 6th or challenging for titles. My only concern is that Martin O'Neill appears to have a bit of a phobia regarding players of that ilk.. unless that is part 5 of the 5 year plan we were all sold of course!!! |
Geoff
said:
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... I prefer the central midfielders to be one attacking/creative type and one more defensive type. They have solid midfielders who can play defensively around the pitch, but they really lack the guy who can bridge the gap between the midfielders and the strikers. Would Villa import a foreigner for this task? Or are there some guys form England in the Prem who are realistically available who could fill that role? I know hes more of a wing player, but Matthew Taylor could be had for the right price... |
Badger
said:
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... Good article here about MON having to be wary of losing the dressing room (something that's crossed my mind too). http://www.dailymail.co.uk/spo...l?ITO=1490 |
Maindog
said:
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... Nanwasafan....Brilliant! Hope Gab gets a start tonight and reps the Villa proper ennit. Soz, ive just wanted Kidulthood. |
jamo
said:
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... Its not that Gabby is awful tonight, its that Wright-phillips is purely not good enough to play on the wing at international level. He is constantly drifting inside, has woeful passing and runs and is not playing the team game. Lampard seems to have not got the memo about pace being key tonight - and seems to pass to anyone but gabby. barry has played well - but look at this side, take crouch & W-Ps off - put beckham and milner on watch gabby fly. |
ak_27
said:
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... They have just been discussing Dunne on Irish TV after the game tonight. Souness was saying that Dunne when up againest better team / players is top quality and its just againest the weaker taems when his concentration lets him down on occassion that is why he is not regarded as one of the really top top defenders in the game. He still thinks he is one of the best defenders in the English game. They were all certain that City have made a huge mistake selling him as they all rate Dunne far ahead of Lescott as a player. |
andy5759
said:
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... Sssssh, keef, MoN would say that he's a natural LB. I thought Gabby ran his socks off to try and get balls (from what little I saw). Jimmy should've scored. If I was Capello I would pick Luke Young, Clarke, Shorey, NRC, Sidwell, Delph, Albrighton, Ash, Jimmy, Gabby and Fonz to go to South Africa. Maybe I am biased. |
Damian
said:
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... i actually thought milner did okay .. and has looked very good on the left for england why cant o´neill try him on that side a little more? |
andy5759
said:
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... Perhaps he will, when the time comes to mix things about a little I can see him doing just that. |
vivavilla
said:
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... I actually don't think this is all that bad idea. I've said several times Heskey would make a far more efficient defender than he does striker. He's big and strong, always wins the ball in the air, and gets a nosebleed when he has the ball in the opposition area. Sounds like all the hallmarks of a defender to me. |
ak_27
said:
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... I agree Damien. Milner has a great shot off his right foot and playing on the left would create more opperunitys to come in on his favoured foot. |
churchill
said:
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...They have NO personal liability for any of that money Liverpool owes because they created a shell corporation - Kop Holdings - to be responsible for the debt. Therefore, the corporation is in debt, not George Gillett and Tom Hicks. Geoff You may be right, but I'd be surprised. Nobody in this country lends significant sums of money to Limited Liability companies without asking for PGs (personal guarantées). The lending bank will have somebody's testicles in the safe - presumably both Gillett and Hick's. I also predict that Rush Limbaugh will get his minority stake in the Rams. The return of Brady has made the Pats a formidable force again. I like the Colts, Manning looks awesome. |
churchill
said:
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...I find it more shocking that he asks him to play up front. Quite why cant o´neill try him on that side a little more? More likely to try him at CB since the Heskey won't play there. |
FatKevs
said:
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... At least we would not have to worry aboy Hesky scoring an own goal whilst in defence as he is so goal shy |
phil morgan
said:
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... i hope heskey stays at villa,although he has not scored for his country.p.s as anyone got a spare ticket for wolves v villa it will make my night |
churchill
said:
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... http://www.mirrorfootball.co.u...89611.html I did tell you he would be ticked off |
steve jones
said:
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... To Geof,Rush Limbaugh,earned his money,and should be allowed to buy anything he wants.The NFL is just showing where they stand politically,and politics should be kept out of sport.As for Heskey,he should thank his lucky stars that he was asked to play anywhere for this great club.Selfishly thinking about the World Cup and not pushing Villa to bigger and better things. |
astonmartininjapan
said:
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... I don't see what's Heskeys problem? So what if he was asked to help out in an emergency! After all, this season & many times last season many players have been asked to play in various positions they're unaccustomed to, Gabby, L.Young, NRC, Milner, Gardner,Carew & Cuellar. Nobody really moaned, they just did their best. There'll be the mother of all training ground punch ups if MON asks Heskey to play as a striker! Another position he's unaccustomed to!  |
Geoff
said:
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... Limbaugh was dropped from the Rams ownership takeover bid, which means that he will likely try again to takeover another franchise, potentially Lerner's Cleveland Browns. It would be easier to find an owner to buy into Aston Villa and boost the club's financial war chest. It takes FOREVER to buy an NFL team. It takes about a year to form an ownership group, and then another year to assemble a bid and negotiate, and then up to 6 more months to wait for the Owners Group of the NFL to vote and approve the sale. Because a majority of the leagues owners have to approve the sale before it becomes official. Basically, it would be easier and faster for Lerner to attract an additional investor into Aston Villa than to sell the Browns. Plus, like NO NFL teams lose money, its a guaranteed cash cow because the US Media forces it down your throat to distract you from the corruption of national politics. So, if you own an NFL team you WILL make money. The problem is that any potential Premier LEague owner could also be a bit shady as well given the more recent new owners in the league. |
bagwoir
said:
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... If he did ask him to play at CB, he would only be playing 10 yards deeper than he normally does. I'm sure he has a phobia about getting in the oppositions box |
Deano-avfc
said:
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... Heskey in defence? I don't want to see him in a claret and blue shirt again even if his role is to pass lucozade beverages to the 1st team when walking off the pitch. I was asked this question on Tuesday evening by a young lad and said Milner, just out of curiosity, who would you say was your favorite Villa player? Would be interesting to find out. UTV |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
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... ak, Who cares whether i've seen it before or not. The point is he should be willing to play his part like NRC, Cuellar and Gardner whether he's out of position or not. Had he played he might have had a stormer against Fulham and we'd all be calling Martin a genius. Fact is Fulham had Murphy, Zamora and Johnson out. Nevland up front on his own and no one passing the ball in midfield. That game was a cake walk and you know it. Albeit a solid little performance from Clarke, you know we were never under threat at the back and despite playing rubbish we comfortably won 2-0. Stevie Wonder could have played at CB that game and not conceded so Heskey probably would have done a half decent job. I don't belive MoN would have risked it against top opposition like Pool or City as he doesn't have the experience in that position. At the end of the day he can't get in up front, MoN offered him a start in a different position and he snubbed it. Perhaps he's just not committed enough. |
Chiefy
said:
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... JPA -- agree heskey is not commited enough. However i think the staffest and best place for Heskey is out of Villa Park and anyone who wants him can have him and take the burden of playing him away from us |
ak_27
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... Lads if you can't see the absolute folly in playing a centre forward as a centre back rather then playing a bright young player who has played that position for years then i give up. Do you honestly think that you can just over night switch from playing all your professional life as a forward into a CB a position where if you make one mistake it can be fatal to a result? This is the EPL not the blue square league we are talking about. |
Damian
said:
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... ak_27 if o'neill did ask heskey to play at centre back i dont blame heskey for saying what he said and if anything it raises more questions about our manager i mean. heskey is an england international striker and o'neill then asks him to play centre back. i'd say f&&k off too and probably ask to leave if i thought the manager had lost the plot as it turned out, ciaran clark had a fantastic match but o'neill was forced to play him. i'm not convinced o'neill is that interested in a youth system he had nothing to do with. i think he wants his players that he has brought in i mena, what youth player has had a proper littel run in teh side under o'neill? |
jk92923
said:
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... Damien, you are starting to sound like a sensationalist US reporter. posing questions which lean in your way of thinking. "So martin O'Neill works with men all day...DOES THIS MEAN HE IS GAY?!?!?!" dont take it personally, i'm sure its tough having to think up stuff every day for this site, but since the transfer window closed, i have noticed it alot more. |
ak_27
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... None Damien and the likes of Albrighton, Bannan and Delfenouso to name just a few are old enough to be making an impact if only from the subs bench with 25 mins to go. 19 years of age is when players should be at least getting some time on the park if they are good enough. But as MON has shown on numerous occassions he would rather play another player out of position (no matter how rediculous a decision)then give youth a chance. |
Chiefy
said:
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... guys i dont care what heskey was or wasnt ask to do the nuts of it are he didnt do it, now if oyu are commited to the cause you will do what is asked of you a la cuellar, gardener, milner (for england), NRC, Gabby. The truth is Heskey thinks he is better and bigger than what he really is, as he watched last night there is a player who has his presence does more with the ball scores more goals and is in better form. The sooner Heskey is shipped out of Villa park with nothing but a kit kat and a packed lunch to see him on his way the better, the lump is taking to much of our time up arguing about him and not formations or potential signings or even if it should be NRC or Sidders and i for one am getting just a little bit dismayed with the whole thing ! |
Damian
said:
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... jk92923 you might notice there is no post today. that is mostly because there is nothing to post about. i coudl, as you say, sensationalise something and there is lots to sensationalise if i want to but i'm not my question about what youth players he has actually allowed a run in the team, i think is a pertinent one. we have one of, if not the best academy systems in the country and a manager that wont play any of the kids. then we have a manager playing a central midfielder former england u21 captain at right back and him wanting to play a current england striker at centre back how much more sensationalism do you want? |
Chiefy
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... why is it in our nature to COMPLAIN ?? none stop moaning Damian - you missed the 12th man of the bottom of this blog your slacking ! |
gb
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... perhaps mon thinks that by playing him at cb in a "cake walk" game he might be able to see the places a striker should be running into. my 12 year old son plays academy football at cardiff, hes a left footed striker and they play him at right back to improve his reading of the game. perhaps that is heskeys level. |
Maindog
said:
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... Morning all. I was thinking last night whilst watching the England game and I actually respect Heskey for sacrificing his club football for the sake of his country. Too many of our England boys are too club orientated and put their club duty before their England duty. What are peoples views about the world cup? Do you believe we can win it this time? I think, with a bit more passion, we can lift that cup! |
RiosJocktrap
said:
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... First off, Heskey is a knob for using his agent to stir things up like this. For me, if Martin does not completely drop him from the First team until January, then hes making a huge mistake. But should we really be suprised by this notion of Heskey at CB? The gaffer has been making some really strange decisions of late that (if you believe the stories of unrest), seem to be even baffling the players. His substitutions do me. I know theres reasoning in them somewhere, but sometimes he just baffles the shit out of me. Anyways, lets hope he baffles Chelsea as much as us |
Scrumpy
said:
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... Careful...we might just be discussing, a non-story dreamt up by an agent, and leaked to a press-buddy, to try and engineer his client a move away. No - agents don't do that sort of thing! What could be in it for the agent other than another healthy fat signing on fee.... |
Chiefy
said:
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... damian -- NO NO NO dont do that next thing you no you will be hpoing the mule stays, did you see him last night he had his sad puppy dog eyes the big lump !!! he only has his fat lazy self to blame |
keefvilla
said:
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... Does anybody think that maybe the youth players are not yet ready for a run in the team? Clark had a good game against Fulham, no where near a "fantastic match". We were lucky that Fulham came without any attempt of attacking. MON has stated that the likes of Clark, Albrighton etc would have played games in the Europa league, but our dismal exit from that competition stopped that happening. |
Damian
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... The comments about moving in January are not from his agent and I don't think Peter Lansley is going to run with a story about Heskey getting asked to play at centre-back unless he was 100% sure ... |
Damian
said:
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... keefvilla maybe they are not but you never really know until they get that run as for clark and his game. ic'd say it was a good game for someone that had played that position in the premier league 20 or 30 times. for a young lad to get thrown in at the deep end without much notice, i'd say it was a fantastic debut - what more could he have done? i know managers see players in training and in reserve team matches but the tempo is always different and you can never replicate the atmosphere of a premier league match - the only way to see is to play them |
Chiefy
said:
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... keefvilla -- i am actually quite let down by the MULE, when he signed i stood up for him and why he was signed it all started so well with his goal against pompey and everyone who would listen i was telling them what a great signing he would turn out to be. NOW the fat lazy useless bag of lard has gone and made me look a knob, he has no desire, no drive, no commitment, no skill and no respect and i hope the lump leaves goes to where ever plays every week and then does not get picked for the world cup !!! i will laugh so much he needs to realise there are in my opinion 3 maybe 4 people infront of him for the England spot and he is not as good as the hype the has surrounded him for years !!!! rant over |
keefvilla
said:
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... Damian I'm not criticising Clark for his performance, as I stated, he had a good game. Just not a fantastic one. A fantastic defensive performance was McGrath for Ireland against Italy as the link below will show. I'm just saying it was an ideal game to make his debut in as Fulham were awful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQqVsD_eK-4/url] I like the way that people have more of an idea of how ready Clark is by watching one first team game and a pre-season friendly tournament, than MON has seeing him in training and in reserve matches. |
ronrabbit
said:
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... Deano-avfc said: ... Heskey in defence? I don't want to see him in a claret and blue shirt again even if his role is to pass lucozade beverages to the 1st team when walking off the pitch. if he was the water boy the team would all die from dehydration. He would be to lazy to run on, and if he did get on every pass (of the lucozade bottle) he made would just go into the crowd. |
ronrabbit
said:
|
... chiefy: 3 maybe 4 people infront of him for the England spot Rooney defoe crouch gabby cole harrys wife bent My nans 13 yr old 3 legged dog the option to play with only 10 men the option to play with only 9 men hesky. Thats the way i see the england pecking order |
keefvilla
said:
|
... ronrabbit Just how nimble is your nans 13 year old 3 legged dog? Is it available Saturday morning? |
ak_27
said:
|
... The issue about asking Heskey to play CB is not a Heskey issue. It should be why is our so called great manager looking to play a centre forward as a centre back? I would be asking this exact same question if he had asked Carew to do it or any other striker we have at this club. I would be asking this question if he had asked any of our midfielders to play there also. You can try and deflect away from this by questioning Heskeys commitment all you want but the real issue here is what planet is MON living on where he would rather play a srtiker as an emergency CB ahead of a very bright CB who at 19 isn't too young to be put into the team and had already shown in the peace cup againest quality players he is not lost at this level of football. I cannot remember any other so called top manager ever making such a stupid call and you anyway you look at it it is just an really unbelievably stupid decision. Fair play to Heskey for putting his Villa career on the line and refusing to play there so as to help us get 3 points as even he knew he would be found out big time playing there. |
keefvilla
said:
|
... ak_27 He would probably make less mistakes than Dunne........... Do you not remember Dion Dublin, Nigel Clough, Roy Keane or Alan Evans? Can you not see that MON is concerned that Clark isn't ready yet? |
JohnnyMcleod
said:
 |
... I know this isn't strictly to do with todays blog but it is about a Villa player who wore an England shirt last night, so here goes. I have a problem with Milner, I just don't think he has the wow factor, don't get me wrong, he's steady enough and doesn't do a lot wrong, and would probably be consisered a 'good' premiership player. For a start I don't think he's a winger, he has neither fast feet or a turn of pace, and isn't the greatest crosser of a ball I've ever seen. So if he isn't a winger what is he ? Well certainly not an out and out forward as he's not a prolific goal scorer. Ok then a central or wide midfielder ? Not sure about this either as he hardly sprays 40 and 50 yard balls around the park, or gets in behind opposing midfielders or defenders with great regularity. So what is Milner ? No doubt many will say he has a great engine and that both O'Neill and Capello obviously rate him (not the greatest endorsement as they feel the same about Heskey). The acid test I think is how do I feel when Milner gets the ball ? Sadly I don't get a shiver down my spine and expect anything exciting to happen, on the other hand I know he probably won't lose posession, but is that a high enough expectation for a supposedly top international ? Maybe I'm being unfair,but to me he still looks fundamentaly the same player we should have paid 4 or 5 million for 3 seasons ago, hows about a Milner debate Damian ? |
ak_27
said:
|
... Keef a not ready Clarke (which by the way i don't believe) would still be 10 times more capable of playing at CB then a striker. Surely you would agree? |
ak_27
said:
|
... And Keef you can throw all your little digs at Dunne all you want he has already put in better perfromances for Villa then Davies has ever done and will ever do in a Villa shirt. |
keefvilla
said:
|
... ak_27 I would agree, but MON knows far more about football and about his players than me or you. Hopefully Clark has shown that he is ready and will get another match soon (probably at left wing ) |
bring back john gregory
said:
 |
... i hope heskey will get a worst reception than gareth barry did from the villa fans,this man should never be allowed to wear a villa shirt again  |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
... JohnnyMcleod, Milner as far as i'm concerned is one of our best players, but I understand what you mean. He really doesn't look like a winger or play like one. I think when you play such an attacking outlet as Young on the left it is a good idea to have someone on the opposite flank who can tuck in as we attack and have a good enough engine to get back and cover if we lose the ball. Also the fact that he is happy on either flank means we can change wingers throughout a game which causes a few problems. I think when Downing is fit we may see all three of them playing as a forward three behind Agbonlahor switching around etc, and it wouldn't surprise me if Milner played a more central role. I'd rather have him than not, but don't agree with your valuation whatsoever. £5m? Ridiculous he was worth twice that. £12m was toppy, but he is improving with every game and lets not forget that he's only 23! This guy could be a Villa player for another ten years. |
Deano-avfc
said:
|
... Milner gives 110% whenever he plays, can tuck in to shoot, cross, take men on, get back to defend, never gets tired, tackles, can play on the left or right....Sorry what was your question again? UTV |
Chiefy
said:
|
... All this talk of EMULE is depressing should we not be talking about how we are going to out wit CHELSKI the weekend ???? anybody got any thoughts on that ?? also we need to push for an atmosphere like City but even better considering its a weekend game hopefully we will get a big crowd where have all the fans gone ? |
Badger
said:
|
...This guy could be a Villa player for another ten years. Absolutely. I actually said to my son last night he'll be an England player for ten years. Although I do see JohnnyMcleod's point. ak_27, It's not very often I agree with you, but what planet is MON living on where he would rather play a srtiker as an emergency CB ahead of a very bright CB who at 19 isn't too young to be put into the team and had already shown in the peace cup againest quality players he is not lost at this level of football. Is correct, imo. I don't have a problem with MON asking Heskey to play CB at all. But either our kids are good enough or they aren't and it would seem he's not confident in them. Where I disagree with you is Heskey refusing to play there. You should play wherever you're told, no matter what you think of it, imo. More of a concern though to me, is that I think MON has lost/is close to losing the dressing room. I've seen it mentioned a couple of times that most people at VP can't stand him. I've previously ignored it as rubbish, but now I suspect it's true. I have a feeling we're going to see more of this sort of stuff coming out. |
Chiefy
said:
|
... Badger -- I have heard the opposite and that most people in the club and people who have worked with him in the past consider MON to be a gentleman and a great professional, many ex players of his can not rate him highly enough so i would have to disagree with that |
Maindog
said:
|
... JonnyMcleod....Is your rant about Milner over his performance last night? Milner came on late and from what I saw, he made two decent crosses, skined a defender in the box and punted a nice shot just off the post, and he was playing left back last night!! Just like his last England performance, he played very well. I know what you mean, he has games where his crosses are sloppy and he struggles to take on defenders but he will only become more consistant with age and experience. I see a very bright future for this young trooper and im very happy he is ours. |
Badger
said:
|
...Badger -- I have heard the opposite and that most people in the club and people who have worked with him in the past consider MON to be a gentleman and a great professional, many ex players of his can not rate him highly enough so i would have to disagree with that I know, which is the part that puzzles me. I wonder if he's feeling the pressure though? I don't know, it's just a feeling I have that all is not well. We've had Carew, Shorey, Luke Young, NRC and now Heskey apparently all having had some sort of run-in with MON. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
... Badger, I think Milner could be taken to the WC as a Phil Neville type player. You know you can have him in the squad and he can play left wing, right wing, right back, left back and could probably do a job in the middle in an emergency. A very handy player to have. He's good on the ball, can go past a player if he needs to, can shoot, pass, cross and puts in so much effort most of the time he puts more seasoned and experinced players to shame. Could be an England captain of the future if he keeps improving the way he has. I wonder about his decision making at times but I suppose nobody is perfect. |
JohnnyMcleod
said:
|
... Gents Turned off last night before Milner came on so if he did well I'm pleased, it wasn't Brazil though was it !? but Can't see what basis there is for thinking that Milner will improve, at 23 he should be the finished article having been playing regularly since he was 16, I think you'll see exactly the same player when he's 30. He ain't gonna get any faster,and is already strong as an ox. As for passing or crossing, I think you've either got it or you haven't. He doesn't look a lot different to me to the player we had on loan under O'Leary. Final thought, he is a player who sees a hell of a lot of the ball in attacking situations, I don't think we see nearly as much quality end product as we should. |
Christian1983
said:
 |
... JohnnyMcLeod, I wasn't a huge fan of Milner when we signed him, but my opinion has been completely changed. I think he's a fantastic player with a better engine and attitude than ANYONE in the premiership. I agree he doesnt have the pace to be a genuine winger, but I feel he can pick a pass and shoot. I'm baffled that you say he doesn't have quick feet? He consistently makes space for his crosses through his trickery, and did you not see the 'stepover' that sold everyone in the stadium last night before he hit the post?! He's certainly talented, it's a good job he doesn't have the pace of Lennon or Young- because he certainly wouldn't be playing for us! |
Chiefy
said:
|
... Badger -- I just think that the players who have got away with it in the past cant handle his type of old school running of the team yet the younger ones seem to adapt to it, which is great credit to them. Take Heskey for example he used to be ok with it a Leicester, he has been to Liverpool, Birmingham and Wigan where they probably wiped his arse for him because at the time he was either producing the goods or was their biggest name, now you see at Villa he is a nobody someone who has to fight for his place and he doesnt like that so toys get thrown, same with Davies he is now worried he wont be first choice and what happens toys get thrown but you see MON wont take it like he didnt with Carew and Carew was big enough to adapt. I dont think he will lose the dressing room just the players from with in it who you wouldnt want playing for at this time. NRC has took it, Young took it, Shorey deserved it and had his chance to go. We should not critise MON for standing his ground and not letting player power take over if anything we should be thankful lets face it if Shorey, Davies, NRC or Heskey went would you lose sleep ????? the players that matter Carew and luke young have took it on board. I think people may be looking at it as a player when if you look at from just a managers view, in any industry, what he is doing is correct. Milner, Downing, Delph, Sidwell, Dunne, Collins, Young, Gabby infact most of the team have no issues its the players recently who think they are better than what they really are and in time all would be replaced anyway |
Chiefy
said:
|
... Milner quick feet ?? was it not Milner who hit the post last night for England after a neat bit of close control in the box ? |
Scrumpy
said:
|
... I'm gonna stick my neck out here, and say if Villa keep progressing in the way they have over the last few years, then James Milner will become one of the greatest players that Villa have ever had...i.e. he will be thought of in the same way that Gaerard is at Liverpool. The guy already has more U21 international experience and PL experience than pretty much anyone his age. He has an incredible engine, great ball retention (not a medical condition!) and solid tackling and tracking back, so is one of the most versatile players you could imagine (which is why Psycho Pearce loves him, and why I think he should be a cert for the world cup squad - as I think Capello thinks the same as Pearce). Not may players can play (and play really well) as winger, right or left back (England and U21) and I think in centre midfield, or even playing off a striker. Don't ask me which of these positions he will become a Villa legend in, I just think he will (hopefully we will see him shortly in one of the latter two). And if I'm wrong...well its gonna take 10 years to prove me wrong, so hopefully you might have also forgotten about this wild statement. But I said it last season, about the same time that I said Albrighton and Bannon are going to be great for the club in future...but that might have just been the cold of Moscow (where ball retention was difficult!)BBbbbbrrrrr.... |
Christian1983
said:
|
... Actually, having read back through what Johnny McLeod wrote, he makes an interesting point... Milner isn't really PERFECT for any 'fixed role' on the pitch, but I think we're lucky that we have a team who can interchange and fit in where they see fit at times. Essentially, he's a very good footballer who, regardless of his role, needs to be on the pitch. You could argue that Gareth Barry, who is a wonderful footballer, never really had a perfect role either. Left back? Not for me. Centreback? Not strong enough? Winger? No pace. Central Mid? Is he mobile enough? I think there's a lot of footballers who don't fit into a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 or whatever formation, but if you're THAT good with a football- get on the pitch and win us the game! |
ak_27
said:
|
... JPA for once i agree with you. Milner has come on leaps and bounds since he first joined. I think he still has more left in the tank to improve as a player but the fact is i now get more excited when he gets the ball then when Ashley does. I would love to see him given a good run on the left wing as he could end up being far more dangerous coming inside on his good foot. |
Chiefy
said:
|
... Just had a thought on the world cup and EMULE and our chances of winning. Now as it would be beleive EMULE thinks he is going to the world cup and he manages to get the nod before Defoe, Crouch, Gabby, Bent, Owen, Cole, Nugent or anyone else who is English and ccan play upfront do we seriously think we can win the WORLD cup resting our hopes on the MULE ?????? |
ak_27
said:
|
... Badger its funny how you meantioned MON feeling the pressure. I said something like that during the peace cup when he went berserk at some Mexican player during the Atlante game for nothing really and was sent off. I know i might be reading too much into that but at the time it struck me as a reaction of a man under pressure. |
Chiefy
said:
|
... ak_27 -- i think you are right i think MON is feeling the pressure but for a number of reasons and not just our results or football matters. I think he is doing to much, as we know he likes to be in control of everything. I think he feels the pressure from us lot questioning him, which i know we have the right to do and that, i think the only place he doesnt get pressure oddly is from Randy....... |
Geoff
said:
|
... Im not really saying anything about Limbaugh's poltiics one way or the other, just that NFL ownership takeovers are always a mess. He has said publicaly that it is his lifelong dream to own an NFL team, so you know he will keep on trying. I am merely saying that whats ebst for Aston Villa in teh short term isnt really Lerner selling the Browns, it would be easier for him to attrack another investor to Villa Park and boost the financial war chest that Aston Villa has to work with. |
Chiefy
said:
|
... Geoff -- In may not be best but having looked into Lerner and a bit about his background and then taking into account the state of the Browns and whats going on there, couple that with the fact Lerner has brought house over here not so long back i can see the Browns sold. Lerner's passion is in football and Villa he is also of the belief that people who inherit large sums of money such as him do not do enough to step out of the fathers shadows. which is why he brought Villa. While an NFL club is very profitable and considered a cash cow it is not his doing its his fathers and with all that is going on with Villa and The Browns at the minute i think he will cash in on the Browns |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
... JohnnyMcleod, Wiki Frank Lampards career and have a look at the way he improved as a player after his £11m move from West Ham to Chelsea and think about how he didn't even get in the first team regularly when he signed. It's absolute Rubbish that a player is a finished article at 23, even players themselves admit they carry on learning right up until they retire. I thought it was common knowledge that outfield players generally hit their peak at around 27-30 as this means they still have the fitness but also a lot more experience than their younger counterparts. |
kohoutek
said:
 |
...
I do think MON is feeling the pressure, he hasn't seemed quite the same as in previous seasons. However, these players...I think this is what goes with having competition for places. None are indispensable, all think they should be automatic choices. |
mon 4-5-1
said:
 |
... great i suppose nothing would suprise me seeing him play in defence...actually why not stick him in as goal keeper it's for a good cause...sounds more like pub football to me.... |
Nix2
said:
 |
... That was a brilliant move, surely O Neal would have told him to just pretend he was attacking and the ball would certainly be kept out of the villa net  |
Jedi
said:
 |
... I played against Heskey when we were under 18's, he was at Leicester and i was upfront and he was marking me as a centre back, we lost 3 - 2 but i scored two goals and had a legitimate volley not given because the lineman said it did'nt cross the line, Heskey was rubbish at centre back, that day anyway. |
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