Home Authors Bill Howell

Bill Howell

Bill Howell

We need the points as much as Bolton Wanderers - Martin O'Neill

MARTIN O'Neill has told his team that the three points tomorrow are just as important to eighth-placed Aston Villa as they are to third-bottom Bolton Wanderers. Read

Martin O'Neill urges Aston Villa to beware the Gary Megson factor

GARY Megson has already masterminded one win at Aston Villa this season - with Leicester City in the Carling Cup - and Martin O'Neill believes it will take total focus team to prevent a second. Read

Martin O'Neill ready to face former Aston Villa players

MARTIN O'Neill is not fazed by the prospect of three former Aston Villa players being fired up for Bolton Wanderers and ready to prove him wrong. Read

Nigel Reo-Coker happy to fill in at right-back

NIGEL REO-Coker insists he would be happy to fill in again at right-back should Martin O'Neill decide to prolong the experiment. Read

Martin O'Neill insists he can cope with criticism at Aston Villa

MARTIN O'Neill today rounded on a minority of doom and gloom merchants - but insisted he was open to some flak after recent results. Read

Martin O'Neill asks Aston Villa supporters to be patient

MARTIN O'Neill believes supporters will have to be a little patient as his blueprint for a bright new future at Villa Park takes shape. Read

Martin O'Neill denies feud with Stuart Pearce over Craig Gardner injury

MARTIN O'Neill today denied any rift with Stuart Pearce amid reports he was seeking "showdown talks" with the England Under-21 boss over Craig Gardner. Read

John Carew set to be fit for Bolton Wanderers clash

JOHN Carew is set to hand Aston Villa a welcome fitness boost by returning to training - and he is almost certain to lead the line against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. Read

Bolton Wanderers is a must-win game for Aston Villa

MARTIN O'Neill says this weekend's visit of struggling Bolton Wanderers to Villa Park is simply a 'must-win' fixture. Read

Mustapha Salifou's happy to be patient at Aston Villa

ASTON Villa's 'Daddy Cool' Moustapha Salifou believes his patience since a summer move from Switzerland may be about to pay dividends. Read

Martin O'Neill praises makeshift right-back Nigel Reo-Coker

MARTIN O'Neill was full of praise for his £8million summer signing Nigel Reo-Coker for his performance after switching to full-back against Manchester United. Read

Manchester United 4 Aston Villa 0

THE law of averages waved the white flag on this fixture at a time when the two leading protagonists in this latest encounter were more likely eating lollipops than delivering them as Villa last beat Manchester United in a meaningful fixture, writes Bill Howell. Read

Wilfred Bouma: Defeat could have been worse

WILFRED Bouma believes Aston Villa's only comfort was from not being handed a more comprehensive defeat at Old Trafford. Read

Manchester United defeat is hard for Wilfred Bouma to take

WILFRED Bouma says Aston Villa's players will be involved in two or three days of hard talking following the heavy defeat at Manchester United. Read

Paul Scholes' winning mentality impresses Martin O'Neill

ASTON head to Manchester United tomorrow with Martin O'Neill desperate to spread Paul Scholes' winning mentality throughout Villa Park. Read

Aston Villa set to spend to break the big four

MARTIN O'Neill today re-affirmed his desire to pitch Aston Villa at the very forefront of the English game by breaking the dominance of the top four. Read

Aston Villa told to continue their big four record

ASTON Villa can take heart from three unbeaten trips to Stamford Bridge, Anfield and The Emirates as they head to Old Trafford. Read

Martin O'Neill wants Manchester United run to be history

MARTIN O'Neill has challenged his Aston Villa side to rip up the history books at Old Trafford. Read

Martin O'Neill backs Scott Carson

SCOTT Carson today received the backing of Martin O'Neill after a difficult fortnight for the England goalkeeper. Read

Martin O'Neill tells Aston Villa squad: Don't undo all the hard work

MARTIN O'Neill is in no mood for his side to throw away all their good work for the season as they approach the final furlong. 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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