HomeAuthorsBill Howell

Bill Howell

Bill Howell

Martin Laursen

Martin Laursen pleased to have signed new Aston Villa deal

MARTIN Laursen spoke if his relief at netting a new two-and-a-half year contract at Aston Villa – because it has ended his sleepless nights. Read

Martin O'Neill

Martin O'Neill's finger is on pulse over Villa transfer targets

MARTIN O'Neill has revealed he is actively pursuing transfer targets who he believes will be of a long-term benefit to Villa. Read

Martin O'Neill

A tough trip at Liverpool for Aston Villa, predicts Martin O'Neill

VILLA have lost only once away from home since February on a journey which has seen them score four goals apiece at such strongholds as Chelsea and Tottenham. Read

Martin O'Neill

Martin O'Neill hails Aston Villa's away support

ASTON Villa will be backed by a sell-out 3,000 away following at Anfield - with Martin O'Neill describing the club's away support as the best in the country. Read

Martin O'Neill keen for Wilfred Bouma to stay at Aston Villa

MARTIN O'Neill has calmed fears that Aston Villa might lose Wilfred Bouma back to his former club PSV Eindhoven. Read

Laursen signs new deal with Aston Villa

MARTIN O'Neill admitted to being "thrilled" after Danish international Martin Laursen today penned a new two-and-a-half year contract with Aston Villa. Read

Gareth Barry injury boost for Aston Villa

GARETH Barry is a major doubt for Aston Villa's game at Liverpool on Monday after a scan revealed he suffered bruising to his pelvic bone during training earlier this week. Read

Aston Villa back four not such a headache for Martin O'Neill

VILLA's problematic right-back slot might not be so problematic after all, according to Martin O'Neill. Read

Transfer no-man's-land for Villa's Thomas Sorensen

ASTON Villa's Thomas Sorensen faces being frozen out of a move in the January transfer market - because no one has come in for him. Read

Bidding war for Villa's Gary Cahill hots up

MARTIN O'Neill has revealed Aston Villa have received a "number" of bids for Gary Cahill as interest in the young centre-back reaches fever-pitch. Read

Gareth Barry injury scare for Aston Villa

ASTON Villa have been dealt a potential blow to their European aspirations with skipper Gareth Barry facing a spell on the sidelines. Read

Limited loan at Leicester for Isaiah Osbourne

ASTON Villa's Isaiah Osbourne will only be allowed to link up with Leicester City for a month on loan. Read

Luke Moore's transfer hopes raised

LUKE Moore's hopes of a move away from Aston Villa will be given a sympathetic ear by Martin O'Neill. Read

John Carew's praise for Villa's young Lions

JOHN Carew today heaped praise on Aston Villa's young Lions, who have helped the club plunder 40 goals this season - just three behind their entire end-of-season tally last year. Read

Aston Villa's defence issues set to be resolved

ASTON Villa's central defensive picture should become a little clearer over the next 24 hours with one player set to stay put and another looking to move on. Read

Martin O'Neill: Agbonlahor 'just getting better all the time'

ASTON Villa manager Martin O'Neill cannot hide his delight at the giant strides made by Gabby Agbonlahor this season, insisting the England wannabe is making a mockery of 'second-season syndrome'. Read

O'Neill: Villa deserved victory over Reading

ASTON Villa were full value for their victory over Reading with Martin O'Neill believing the platform was built on hard work after a slow start. Read

Martin O'Neill hails his Villa set-piece stars

MARTIN O'Neill is not getting carried away by Aston Villa's lofty league position. Read

Martin Laursen close to new Aston Villa deal

MARTIN Laursen should seal his new contract this week as Aston Villa come to terms with the fact Olof Mellberg will be leaving at the end of the season. Read

Aston Villa 3 Reading 1

ASTON Villa's Martin O'Neill effectively planted a knotted handkerchief on his head, wore some dodgy spectacles and shouted: "Knickers, knackers, knockers" to his critics – a la Les Dawson's Cosmo Smallpiece. 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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