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Bill Howell

Bill Howell

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

Chris Nicholl back in the Aston Villa family

FORMER Aston Villa skipper and double League Cup winner Chris Nicholl has returned to the claret-and-blue fold - as manager of the Villa Old Stars. Read

Sean Scannell

Martin O'Neill targets Crystal Palace starlet Sean Scannell

VILLA boss Martin O'Neill is poised to make a firm bid for long-term target Sean Scannell. Read

Martin O'Neill: Wayne Routledge and Moustapha Salifou have roles

MARTIN O'Neill may not appear to have much choice, such are the current limitations on his squad numbers, but the Irishman has given a broad hint that fringe duo Moustapha Salifou and Wayne Routledge will play a much bigger part in his plans next season. Read

Martin O'Neill

Don't panic, Martin O'Neill tells Aston Villa fans

MARTIN O'Neill has urged supporters not to fret over Villa's inactivity in the transfer market. Read

Euro stars come into focus for Aston Villa boss

MARTIN O'Neill will be taking more than a keen interest in this month's European Championships after agreeing to continue working as a pundit for the BBC. Read

Gareth Barry

Gareth Barry: Champions League key as crunch Aston Villa talks loom

GARETH Barry appears has given the strongest indication yet that he wants to quit Villa for Liverpool. Read

Shaun Maloney staying at Aston Villa, says agent

SHAUN Maloney's agent today insisted that the Scottish international will not be leaving Villa this summer. Read

Gareth Barry

TV pundits tip Gareth Barry to become England regular

GARETH Barry was today tipped to become an England regular by former Liverpool legend Alan Hansen. Read

Aston Villa in waiting game over Steve Sidwell

VILLA are having to play a waiting game before they can unveil Steve Sidwell as they first summer signing because Chelsea are unwilling to let him out until they appoint their new manager. Read

Shaun Maloney

Aston Villa winger Shaun Maloney is target for Roy Keane

SHAUN Maloney is being chased by Roy Keane who wants to take the unsettled 25-year-old to Sunderland. Read

Patrik Berger joins Sparta Prague after Aston Villa release

PATRIK Berger has signed a two-year deal with Czech Republic club Sparta Prague following his release from Villa. Read

Randy Lerner

Randy Lerner: I'm not moving to Britain

RANDY Lerner has denied reports that he is to become chief executive at Villa Park and move permanently to England. Read

Brad Guzan keen to make his mark in England

BRAD Guzan insists he wants to make a real mark in England - just like a quartet of American keepers before him. Read

England captaincy would be a dream come true, says Gareth Barry

GARETH Barry admits it would be a dream come true were Fabio Cappello to hand him the England captaincy in Trinidad on Sunday night. 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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