HomeAuthorsBill Howell

Bill Howell

Bill Howell

Martin O'Neill refuses to blame Scott Carson

MARTIN O'Neill refused to point the finger of blame at Scott Carson following another shaky performance in Villa's second straight defeat. Read

Gabriel Agbonlahor

John Carew tips Gabriel Agbonlahor to recover his form

JOHN Carew has tipped Gabriel Agbonlahor to get over his England snub and bounce back to form. Read

Martin O'Neill at lowest ebb with Aston Villa

MARTIN O'Neill says it could be time for him to assess why his players may be wilting under the strain of the huge expectations at Villa Park. Read

Martin O'Neill keen to seal Wilfred Bouma deal

MARTIN O'Neill has reiterated his desire to sort out Wilfred Bouma's new contract - and is unconcerned by a five-week timescale to get the deal done. Read

Ashley Young is no diver - Martin O'Neill

MARTIN O'Neill believes winger Ashley Young is being hammered by over-robust defenders and is being unfairly labelled a "diver". Read

Aston Villa 0 Sunderland 1

THE winners were probably Birmingham City Council after their threat to close sections of the Holte End because Aston Villa fans in the Upper K block persist in standing, writes BILL HOWELL. Read

Aston Villa manager backs his players to win race for Europe

MARTIN O'Neill heads into tomorrow's crucial home fixture with Sunderland insisting that Villa are "far from the finished article" but says that he and the dressing room are united in their belief that they can still qualify directly for Europe. Read

Leaky defence is a worry for Martin Laursen

MARTIN Laursen has warned Aston Villa's defence that a lack of clean sheets is putting inceasing pressure on the team to score at least two goals in every game. Read

Martin O'Neill wants Aston Villa to come out fighting

MARTIN O'Neill will tell his players to fight fire with fire and tackle Sunderland tomorrow as if they were immersed in a relegation battle. Read

Sunderland will be no pushovers - Martin O'Neill

SUNDERLAND will be far from a pushover at Aston Villa tomorrow, warns Martin O'Neill, despite Roy Keane's side still searching for a first away win in the top flight. Read

Gabriel Agbonlahor: I'll be scoring again soon

GABBY Agbonlahor is confident his wretched luck in front of goal will turn - and that he will earn a second England call-up. Read

Martin O'Neill

Fatigue's not a factor for Aston Villa, says Martin O'Neill

MARTIN O'Neill has dismissed any notion his Aston Villa players may be suffering from physical fatigue, despite a large number of them being virtual ever-presents this season. Read

Gabriel Agbonlahor

Gabiel Agbonlahor has Sunderland in his sights

GABBY Agbonlahor says Villa cannot give up on their bid for fifth place in the Premier League - and says Sunderland must pay for the recent slump in form by Martin O'Neill's men. Read

Tony McAndrew

Tony McAndrew hails his Aston Villa 'special' ones

TONY McAndrew has hailed Aston Villa's youth team as "special" and the best he has known in terms of team spirit and work ethic during his nine years back at the club. Read

Martin O'Neill: No feeling sorry for ourselves

MARTIN O'Neill has described Saturday's visit of Sunderland as a "must-win" game and insists now is not the time for Aston Villa to start "moaning and moping around" about their recent loss of form. Read

Craig Gardner

Craig Gardner due to resume training with Aston Villa

CRAIG Gardner was due back in training for Villa today and ready to go straight into the side against Sunderland. The 21-year-old missed the defeat at Portsmouth with a back injury that had forced him off at half-time against Middlesbrough. Read

Aston Villa in failed Jose Boswinga bid

PORTO president Pinto da Costa has revealed they turned down a bid from Aston Villa for right-back Jose Boswinga. Read

Martin O'Neill: Aston Villa will catch Euro rivals

MARTIN O'Neill today came out fighting and insisted he will not allow his players to throw away their good work this season. Read

Portsmouth 2 Aston Villa 0 - Birmingham Mail report

FORTUNE, they say, favours the brave. One can only conclude therefore that Portsmouth's Harry Redknapp must have piloted a Spitfire in the Battle of Britain and been the recipient of a George Cross for single-handedly picking off Luftwaffe Messerschmitts. Read

Martin O'Neill

Martin O'Neill promises some hard graft for Aston Villa squad

MARTIN O'Neill has promised hard graft on the training ground this week as Aston Villa look to get their season back on track after two disappointing results. 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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