HomeAuthorsBill Howell

Bill Howell

Bill Howell

Olof to stay at Villa for rest of the season

OLOF Mellberg has given Aston Villa a welcome lift by declaring his intentions to see out the remainder of his contract with Villa before joining Juventus in the summer. Read

Decision due over Olof Mellberg and Villa

ASTON Villa are set to make an announcement about the future of Olof Mellberg. Read

Barry plays down Villa's champions league hopes

GARETH Barry has promised that Aston Villa will keep pushing for fourth place in the Premier League despite their failure to beat Blackburn. Read

O'Neill: Villa were stodgy against Blackburn

MARTIN O'Neill was pleased with Aston Villa's point against Blackburn. Read

Martin O'Neill: I won't be rushed into any buys for Villa

MARTIN O'Neill has set his sights on bringing more creativity to Aston Villa but he insists he will not sign players he has not had the chance to check out. Read

Martin O'Neill transfer moves thwarted

ASTON Villa boss Martin O'Neill has revealed that rival Premier League clubs are refusing to sell targets during the January window regardless of cash. Read

Set-piece boosts call-up hopes for Villa pair

ASHLEY Young is taking nothing for granted despite raising his England hopes with another stunning free-kick in front of watching boss Fabio Cappello. Read

Ashley Young: Point is not enough for Villa

ASHLEY Young said it was a case of "practice makes perfect" as he curled home another set-piece cracker against Blackburn for Aston Villa. Read

Be patient, Villa boss Martin O'Neil tells fans

VILLA boss Martin O'Neill today assured fans that the club are determined to be among the Premier League's big boys – but has urged them to be patient. Read

Marlon Harewood's going nowhere,says Villa boss O'Neill

MARTIN O'Neill was so convinced Marlon Harewood would come good that he turned down a number of offers for the £4million summer signing. Read

Reo-Coker is looking part as Villa skipper

MARTIN O'Neill believes Nigel Reo-Coker will thrive as skipper should he be handed a continued spell leading Villa. Read

Blackburn Rovers fired up for Villa Park return

BLACKBURN will not be out for revenge at Villa Park tomorrow, but Martin O'Neill is fully expecting a "fired-up" Rovers to make life difficult in tomorrow's Premier League clash. Read

Gareth Barry in race for fitness

GARETH Barry will be given until the last minute to try to prove his fitness ahead of Aston Villa's Premier League clash with Blackburn on Saturday. Read

O'Neill question for Mellberg as Juventus deal signed

OLOF Mellberg will be asked by Martin O'Neill today whether he feels in the right frame of mind to continue turning out for Villa. Read

Olof: Villa home run is the target

OLOF Mellberg has urged his Aston Villa team-mates to build on their fine home wins over Spurs and Reading against Blackburn. Read

Martin O'Neill rap for George Burley over loanee

ASTON Villa manager Martin O'Neill has criticised incoming Scotland boss George Burley for his last act at Southampton - going back on his word to give Stephen O'Halloran some games. Read

O'Neill in no rush to let Gary Cahill go

MARTIN O'Neill has again insisted he is in no rush to let Gary Cahill leave Aston Villa. Read

Olof Mellberg hangs on to goal hope

OLOF Mellberg is claiming a third goal of the season for Villa - despite the huge deflection his shot took off Fabio Aurelio in the 2-2 draw at Liverpool. Read

Stuart Taylor praises Curtis Davies

STUART Taylor paid tribute to Curtis Davies and Villa's never-say-die attitude which earned them an unlikely point at Liverpool. Read

Martin O'Neill in no hurry to sell

MARTIN O'Neill is under no pressure to sell any of his fringe players despite three of them being heavily pursued by would-be buyers. 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.

Get involved

We want your local stories, videos & pics.