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Bill Howell

Bill Howell

Why Villa boss Martin O'Neill ruled himself out of the England job

MARTIN O'Neill revealed that he decided to stick with Aston Villa because he could not walk out on the club for the England job at a time when he can see real signs that his rebuilding work is beginning to pay dividends. Read

O'Neill has a mixed dressing room to deal with at Aston Villa

VILLA manager Martin O'Neill admits he will today inherit a mixed bag of emotions in his dressing room following the international break. Read

Agbonlahor in line for new Aston Villa deal

MARTIN O'Neill has dangled the carrot of a potential new contract for Gabby Agbonlahor - which would be his third in three seasons - to keep him away from the clutches of the big clubs. Read

Aston Villa's Riverside record counts for nothing - O'Neill

ASTON Villa's outstanding Premiership record at Middlesbrough counts for nothing, according to Martin O'Neill. Read

Aston Villa striker vows to see off new signings

LUKE Moore is confident in his ability to see off any new signings Martin O'Neill brings to the club in January. Read

Ellis confident O'Neill will reject England

FORMER Villa chairman Doug Ellis does not believe Martin O'Neill will be tempted away from the club by the England job. Read

Moore still unsure over new Aston Villa deal

VILLA striker Luke Moore has revealed he is no closer to reaching an agreement over a new contract. Read

Sorensen in Middlesbrough link

MARTIN O'Neill insists he knows nothing of Middlesbrough's supposed interest in Thomas Sorensen, who will soon be out of contract. Read

Aston Villa manager has his list of January transfer targets

VILLA manager Martin O'Neill said he knows the players he wants to bring to the club in January. Read

Moore fitness boost for Aston Villa

LUKE Moore believes he will be fit to face Middlesbrough after revealing he has been struggling with a niggling groin injury for some time. Read

O'Neill keen to keep defenders at Aston Villa

MARTIN O'Neill has revealed Villa will be making "strenuous efforts" to keep Olof Mellberg and Martin Laursen at the club. Read

O'Neill denies England manager link

AN ANGRY Martin O'Neill today called recent reports linking him to the England job "absolute nonsense" and reaffirmed his total commitment to Villa. Read

O'Neill: Villa won't make Carson move permanent yet

MARTIN O'Neill is delighted Scott Carson is firmly challenging Paul Robinson for England's No.1 jersey. Read

Agbonlahor: I'm committed to Aston Villa

GABBY Agbonlahor has understandably admitted to being "flattered" at being linked to Arsenal but is happy at, and totally committed to, Villa. Read

Defender Cahill wants to stay at Aston Villa

GARY Cahill is set for talks at Villa next month to clear up his future - but he still sees it at Villa Park. Read

Lerner hopes to keep O'Neill out of England's clutches

RANDY Lerner believes Martin O'Neill would be irreplaceable should the Irishman be lured away from Villa by England. Read

O'Neill backs Southgate to recover at Middlesbrough

MARTIN O'Neill believes former Aston Villa skipper Gareth Southgate will come through his current rocky patch at Middlesbrough and become a top manager. Read

Agbonlahor: I'm no one-season wonder

GABBY Agbonlahor has insisted that "second-season syndrome" - a label often thrown at former team-mate Steven Davis - is a myth he is only too glad to smash. Read

Salifou set to step up at Aston Villa

MARTIN O'Neill has hinted at a possible swift call-up for Togo international midfielder Moustapha Salifou. Read

Taylor expecing Barry recall for Croatia clash

GRAHAM Taylor believes Gareth Barry will be back in an England starting berth at Wembley next week. 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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