HomeAuthorsBill Howell

Bill Howell

Bill Howell

Lee Naylor

Martin O'Neill poised to sign Lee Naylor for Aston Villa

ASTON Villa boss Martin O’Neill is set to make a shock swoop for Celtic’s former Wolves full-back Lee Naylor as he seeks to provide cover for Dutch international Wilfred Bouma. Read

Don't turn on Gareth Barry, Curtis Davies urges Aston Villa fans

DEFENDER Curtis Davies hopes Gareth Barry does not become a figure of “hate” and might be allowed to leave Aston Villa on better terms. Read

Aston Villa pitch for glory thanks to Jonathan Calderwood

JONATHAN Calderwood can’t wait for the start of the new campaign so he can finally start to wind down after an incredibly hectic post-season. Read

Barry Bannan signs two year deal with Aston Villa

ASTON Villa have given promising midfielder Barry Bannan a two-year professional contract. Read

Marlon Harewood

Marlon Harewood: I want to stay at Aston Villa

MARLON Harewood has pledged his future to Villa despite receiving advances from other clubs to move on this summer. Read

Craig Gardner

Craig Gardner tells David Bentley to come on board at Aston Villa

CRAIG Gardner has issued a “come and join us” plea to David Bentley and says Steve Sidwell will be a “great” signing for Villa. Read

Anton Ferdinand

Aston Villa set to bid for Anton Ferdinand

MARTIN O’Neill is keen on West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand and could follow up his interest with a firm bid for the 23-year-old. Read

Today's players are greedy, says former Aston Villa star Frank Carrodus

FORMER Aston Villa favourite Frank Carrodus has slammed the greed culture of today’s footballers, but he believes Gareth Barry actually deserves some sympathy. Read

Steve Sidwell

Aston Villa close in on Steve Sidwell

MARTIN O’Neill is on the brink of making Steve Sidwell his first summer signing – just as Villa await a third bid from Liverpool for skipper Gareth Barry. Read

Nigel Reo-Coker

Nigel Reo-Coker: Everton have shown Aston Villa the way

NIGEL Reo-Coker today called for Villa to take a leaf out of Everton's book with a plan of gradually building towards their goal of Champions Leaggue football. Read

Gareth Barry

Gareth Barry exit closer as Liverpool agree deal for Xabi Alonso

GARETH Barry's protracted move to Liverpool from Aston Villa has moved a step closer with Liverpool set to finally sell Xabi Alonso to Juventus for £14.2million. Read

Future is bright for Aston Villa youngsters, says Gordon Cowans

VILLA legend Gordon Cowans believes that two of the club's outstanding youth products could be about to come to Martin O'Neill's rescue at a time when defenders are at a premium. Read

Martin O'Neill

Aston Villa won't give up on top four as fresh Gareth Barry bid is rejected

MARTIN O'Neill has insisted there is life after Gareth Barry and that Villa will continue to try to break into the top four even if they have to do it without their inspirational skipper. Read

Doug Ellis

Doug Ellis: Liverpool must dig deep for Gareth Barry

DOUG ELLIS has urged Liverpool to “dig deep” to sign Gareth Barry - as Aston Villa today rejected a second cash bid of £13million for their skipper. Read

Aston Villa still in for Christian Maggio

CHRISTIAN Maggio's agent has given Villa fresh hope of sealing a move for the Sampdoria right-back despite reports in Italy which suggest he is on the verge of a £10million switch to AC Milan. Read

James Milner

Aston Villa play waiting game for James Milner

ASTON Villa will have to be prepared to play a waiting game with Newcastle if they are to capture winger James Milner. Read

Graham Taylor tips Aston Villa for the top

MARTIN O'Neill was today tipped to take Villa into the Champions League on a regular basis by former manager Graham Taylor. Read

Gareth Barry

Gareth Barry: I want to quit Aston Villa

ASTON Villa were today facing up to the reality that Gareth Barry wants to quit the club after the player finally told Martin O'Neill he wants to go to Liverpool. Read

Aston Villa miss out on Christian Maggio

VILLA have reportedly lost out to AC Milan in their £10 million pursuit of Italian right-back Christian Maggio, according to reports in Italy today. Read

Moustapha Salifou

Moustapha Salifou ready for Premier League with Aston Villa

MOUSTAPHA Salifou believes he will be able to step up to the mark and make an impact at Villa next season after admitting the physical demands of the Premier League were too much during his debut year. 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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