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Bill Howell

Bill Howell

Martin O'Neill praises makeshift right-back Nigel Reo-Coker

MARTIN O'Neill was full of praise for his £8million summer signing Nigel Reo-Coker for his performance after switching to full-back against Manchester United. Read

Manchester United defeat is hard for Wilfred Bouma to take

WILFRED Bouma says Aston Villa's players will be involved in two or three days of hard talking following the heavy defeat at Manchester United. Read

Wilfred Bouma: Defeat could have been worse

WILFRED Bouma believes Aston Villa's only comfort was from not being handed a more comprehensive defeat at Old Trafford. Read

Paul Scholes' winning mentality impresses Martin O'Neill

ASTON head to Manchester United tomorrow with Martin O'Neill desperate to spread Paul Scholes' winning mentality throughout Villa Park. Read

Aston Villa set to spend to break the big four

MARTIN O'Neill today re-affirmed his desire to pitch Aston Villa at the very forefront of the English game by breaking the dominance of the top four. Read

Aston Villa told to continue their big four record

ASTON Villa can take heart from three unbeaten trips to Stamford Bridge, Anfield and The Emirates as they head to Old Trafford. Read

Martin O'Neill wants Manchester United run to be history

MARTIN O'Neill has challenged his Aston Villa side to rip up the history books at Old Trafford. Read

Martin O'Neill backs Scott Carson

SCOTT Carson today received the backing of Martin O'Neill after a difficult fortnight for the England goalkeeper. Read

Martin O'Neill tells Aston Villa squad: Don't undo all the hard work

MARTIN O'Neill is in no mood for his side to throw away all their good work for the season as they approach the final furlong. Read

Martin O'Neill

Old Trafford trip will be tough, says Martin O'Neill

MANCHESTER United will give no respite to Aston Villa this weekend, despite them travelling to play a vital Champions League quarter-final in Rome just days later, according to Martin O'Neill. Read

Tony Mowbray tells Bostjan Cesar: Don't do it again

TONY Mowbray has warned back-in-favour defender Bostjan Cesar not to let his mind go AWOL as he did the last time he returned from international duty. Read

Squad boost for Tony Mowbray

THE show of strength on his training pitch during an international week has delighted Albion boss Tony Mowbray. Read

Tony Mowbray

Colchester game will be a bumpy ride, warns Tony Mowbray

AN ANXIOUS Hawthorns crowd have been told to prepare for another bumpy ride on Saturday. Read

Martin Laursen demands more from Aston Villa

MARTIN Laursen today told his faltering team-mates that Aston Villa cannot hope to be considered a big club if they continue to wilt under the weight of expectation. Read

Craig Gardner in line for midfield return

MARTIN O'Neill has hinted at a return to midfield for Craig Gardner after the youngster played in his preferred position in last night's England Under-21 encounter with Poland. Read

Injured Leon Barnett to miss Colchester game

LEON Barnett was today ruled out of West Bromwich Albion’s must-win weekend game against rock-bottom Colchester. Read

Zoltan Gera

Tony Mowbray relaxed over Zoltan Gera contract

WEST Bromwich Albion remain in a win-win situation with regards to soon-to-be out-of-contract midfielder Zoltan Gera, according to Tony Mowbray. Read

Martin O'Neill stands by Aston Villa strike duo

MARTIN O'Neill today leapt to the defence of goal-shy strikers Gabriel Agbonlahor and John Carew and insisted they should not be judged simply on their final product. Read

Craig Gardner

Craig Gardner: Aston Villa can spring a surprise

CRAIG Gardner believes Aston Villa have the bottle to bounce back after successive defeats and says they can produce a huge shock at Premier League leaders Manchester United. Read

West Bromwich Albion Wembley tickets set to sell out

ALBION'S remaining 11,800 FA Cup semi-final tickets are likely to be snapped up fast from today with fans now able to purchase from Ticketmaster. Read

Author Profile

Bill Howell started covering Midlands football for the Sunday Mercury in March 1998. He moved to the Birmingham Mail, writing solely on Aston Villa, following the 2000 FA Cup Final. Previously he was a sports reporter in Aberdeen, covering the Old Firm, and before that he was a news reporter in East London.

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