HomeAuthorsBill Howell

Bill Howell

Bill Howell

Gareth Barry hoping to pile the pressure is on Sunderland

GARETH Barry knows that Roy Keane will get Sunderland fired up against Villa but says the pressure will be on the Black Cats because of their lowly position. Read

Martin O'Neill tips Roy Keane to be a managerial great

ROY Keane not only had the fortune to play for Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest, but then went to Old Trafford to work under another true legend in Sir Alex Ferguson. Read

Martin O'Neill warns Aston Villa of Sunderland's fighting spirit

MARTIN O'Neill has warned that Sunderland will "fight like mad" to make life difficult for his Villa team. Read

Festive period is crucial to Aston Villa - Martin O'Neill

MARTIN O'Neill has urged his Aston Villa players to "push on" as they approach the crucial festive period. Read

Agent admits Luke Moore wants to leave Aston Villa

LUKE Moore could leave Villa as early as January after his agent admitted he was looking to leave the club after rejecting a new contract. Read

Wilfred Bouma set for new Aston Villa contract

WILFRED Bouma will be offered a new deal at Aston Villa. Read

Martin O'Neill reveals his soft spot for Sunderland

MARTIN O'Neill has, for almost 50 years, reserved a special place in his heart for Sunderland Football Club. Read

Luke Moore rejects Aston Villa contract offer

MARTIN O'Neill today revealed that Luke Moore has turned down the offer of a new contract. Read

Martin O'Neill identifies his Aston Villa transfer targets

MARTIN O'Neill insists he has earmarked the players he wants to sign in January who are aimed at keeping Aston Villa in contention for Europe. Read

Aston Villa manager launches bid to keep Olof Mellberg and Martin Laursen

MARTIN O'Neill was today readying himself for a "busy week" as he attempts to tie down key defenders Olof Mellberg and Martin Laursen to new contracts. Read

Gabriel Agbonlahor: Players are to blame for defeat against Portsmouth

GABRIEL Agbonlahor says Aston Villa only have themselves to blame and are still smarting from their weekend defeat to Portsmouth. Read

Aston Villa are better suited to away games - Gareth Barry

GARETH Barry believes Aston Villa are better suited to playing away from Villa Park after two successive home defeats dented morale. Read

Martin Laursen

Martin Laursen says Aston Villa playing 'dangerous game' over contract talks

MARTIN Laursen has admitted that Villa are playing a dangerous game in their efforts to hold on to a trio of out-of-contract defenders. Read

Martin O'Neill

Martin O'Neill hits back over Martin Laursen contract talk

MARTIN O'Neill today refuted suggestions from Martin Laursen that Villa were playing a "dangerous game" over his contract talks. Read

O'Neill laughs off 'Manager of the Month' curse at Aston Villa

MARTIN O'Neill joked that the November Manager of the Month award curse was inevitably going to hit Villa. Read

Martin O'Neill

Martin O'Neill says Villla must bounce back from second home defeat

MARTIN O'Neill saw Aston Villa fall to a second successive home defeat and conceded that his side have to bounce back quickly with a win at Sunderland. Read

Aston Villa 1 Portsmouth 3

HARRY Redknapp bears something of a resemblance to Robin Askwith but the "filth" that he believed he was confronted by around the Villa dugout would have left Sidney Noggett red-faced. Read

Wilfred Bouma wants to sign new Aston Villa contract

WILFRED Bouma has today revealed he wants to cement his future at Villa Park after enjoying a rejuvenation of form over the last 12 months under Martin O'Neill. Read

Mark Delaney set for new role at Aston Villa

MARK Delaney has taken his first steps towards a career in coaching - and is set to return to Villa in the New Year to help out the Academy on a voluntary basis. Read

Aston Villa backed for European battle by Wilfred Bouma

WILFRED Bouma believes Aston Villa can mount a serious European surge this season if Martin O'Neill can strengthen his squad in January and they steer clear of injuries. 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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