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Bill Howell

Bill Howell

O'Neill bewildered by Premier League sackings

THE sacking of Chris Hutchings at Wigan is further evidence of a blame culture existing throughout society which is endemic throughout sport and particularly football, says Villa boss Martin O'Neill. Read

O'Neill praise for opposite number

MARTIN O'Neill has paid tribute to the work carried out by Steve Bruce in resurrecting Blues as a Premier League force just 13 months after he was believed to be fighting for his job. Read

Martin O'Neill

Villa manager Martin O'Neill set for derby debut

ASTON Villa manager Martin O'Neill has admitted it would be virtually impossible to treat Sunday's derby like a normal Premier League game, calling it a "special occasion". Read

John Carew

Aston Villa duo set to be fit for Brum derby

ASTON Villa look set for a double injury boost ahead of Sunday's derby at Blues, with striker John Carew and winger Ashley Young both winning their fights to be fit. Read

Ashley Young

Martin O'Neill: Villa England pair in top form

ASTON Villa's England Under-21 stars Gabby Agbonlahor and Ashley Young head into the derby at Birmingham City on the crest of a wave. Read

Salifou set to fire at Villa - Davies

CURTIS Davies has tipped Villa's Togo international Moustapha Salifou to start hitting the goal-trail in the Premier League. Read

Former US Marine Corps Commandant Gen Charles C Krulak

Villa General's sorry for 'pigs in mud' slur

RANDY Lerner today came out with a glowing tribute to his trusted right-hand man General Charles Krulak after revealing the former Vietnam veteran has formally apologised to Blues over his well documented "pigs in mud" slur. Read

Young: Laursen has golden touch

ASHLEY Young believes Martin Laursen has now got the scent of Gabby Agbonlahor's Golden Boot. Read

Young is a marked man at Villa - O'Neill

MARTIN O'Neill believes Ashley Young has become a marked man in the Premier League. Read

Boss grateful as fans flock to Villa Park

VILLA'S weekend crowd of 40,938 took their average attendance this season to 39,889 - the fourth highest in the club's history. Read

Strike was a special moment for Villa defender

MARTIN Laursen rejoiced in his first goal on home soil in nearly three years, and in front of the Holte End too, as he made it three goals for the season. Read

Petrov ready to fight for Villa shirt

STILIYAN Petrov today admitted he is still in the midst of a big battle to keep his Villa shirt after he started successive games for the first time since August. Read

Villa boss focused on 'massive' derby

VILLA boss Martin O'Neill will be looking for his side to get out of the blocks quickly at Blues after bemoaning a lack of first-half momentum for the second time in successive performances. Read

Villa 2 Derby 0

THE temptation at half-time among the best part of the 38,000 Villa fans present would have been to have a quick drag. Read

Pearson is danger man for Derby

MARTIN O'Neill has pin-pointed Derby's workmanlike Scottish international midfielder Stephen Pearson as one to be wary of as his Villa side look to get back to winning ways against Derby County. Read

Gabriel Agbonlahor

Boss hopes players will be at Best

THE late, great George Best may not be facing Derby tomorrow but Martin O'Neill is looking for some of his current crop to start taking a leaf out of the genial Irishman's book. Read

Martin O'Neill

O'Neill relishes the extra spice

THE visit of Derby County to Villa Park tomorrow is a long overdue first Midland derby since Blues were sent crashing to defeat in April 2006. Read

Martin O'Neill

Villa at battle stations

MARTIN O'Neill has called for the right approach from his players against Derby tomorrow but has warned them to prepare for a tough afternoon against the basement battlers. Read

Martin O'Neill

Martin: Records are there to be broken

HE may enjoy listening to records of the musical variety but Martin O'Neill will never be one to read too much into the statistical variety. Read

Martin O'Neill

O'Neill: Don't write off the Rams

MARTIN O'Neill believes Derby County could still be a force to be reckoned with this season, because personal experience has taught him that promoted clubs can take a little while to get to grips with the top flight. 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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