Home Authors Bill Howell

Bill Howell

Bill Howell

Aston Villa 1 Middlesbrough 1 - Birmingham Mail Report

PANCAKES, a tyre punctured by a nail, a snooker table, Holland. Now add a DVD of Villa against Middlesbrough March '08... Read

Martin O'Neill

Martin O'Neill calls for more brain power

VILLA must learn to use their brains and break down teams at home, according to Martin O'Neill, who saw his UEFA Cup dream take a battering against Middlesbrough. Read

Martin O'Neill asks Aston Villa team: How much do you want it?

MARTIN O'Neill publicly questioned Aston Villa's desire for the first time during his 19 months at the club and labelled their performance against Middlesbrough as "not good enough". Read

Olof Mellberg confident of instant response

DEFENDER Olof Mellberg says Villa can bounce back to form against Portsmouth but admits qualifying for Europe will now be tough. Read

Olof Mellberg

Olof Mellberg: I'll give it my all

OLOF Mellberg has insisted that he is desperate to play the season out with Villa, dismissing any notions his mind may already be on his summer switch to Juventus. Read

Middlesbrough are a big threat, insists Martin O'Neill

MARTIN O'Neill is expecting a tough examination of Aston Villa's European pretentions against Middlesbrough tonight. Read

Gareth Barry refuses to give up on the race for Europe

GARETH Barry has far from given up on a top-five finish and says Aston Villa can "last the pace". Read

Martin O'Neill is still haunted by Fulham defeat

ASTON Villa have been warned by Martin O'Neill that a repeat of their performance in the defeat to Fulham and they will struggle to finish in the top half of the Premier League. Read

Martin O'Neill keen to match John Gregory's Aston Villa achievements

MARTIN O'Neill says his Aston Villa side still have a way to go before they can be considered in the same bracket as John Gregory's UEFA Cup qualifiers. Read

Zat Knight warns Aston Villa to beware a Middlesbrough backlash

ZAT Knight has warned against a Middlesbrough backlash at Aston Villa Park tomorrow night. Read

Stiliyan Petrov

Stiliyan Petrov is still in Aston Villa's plans

STILIYAN Petrov has not been frozen out by Martin O'Neill, who is hoping the former Celtic player will be "raring to go" after being taken out of the firing line. Read

Gabriel Agbonlahor

Gabriel Agbonlahor goal drought doesn't worry Martin O'Neill

MARTIN O'Neill has insisted he isn't too concerned by Gabriel Agbonlahor's Aston Villa goal drought. Read

Zat Knight

Martin O'Neill: Dropping Zat Knight did him good

ZAT Knight has improved since his time out of the first team, according to Martin O'Neill. Read

Martin O'Neill

Martin O'Neill insists Aston Villa are in it to win it

MARTIN O'Neill has pinpointed a significant difference in approach by his Aston Villa team to many others in the Premier League because they go into games looking to win - not simply to avoid defeat. Read

Martin O'Neill: This is crunch time

MARTIN O'Neill believes Villa are now facing a make-or-break period in their season and has described the coming days as: "a massive week ahead". Read

Break was good . . . and bad, says Martin O'Neill

VILLA boss Martin O'Neill concedes there are pluses and minuses to having enjoyed a free weekend to prepare his side for Wednesday's visit of Middlesbrough. Read

Martin O'Neill

Martin O'Neill pledge on Europe chase

MARTIN O'Neill admits Villa have now got their work cut out to qualify for Europe - but he insists the players are happy to be playing catch-up and will give it their all. Read

Martin O'Neill: I'll blast Aston Villa into the big time

MARTIN O'Neill has vowed to do all he can to blast Villa into the big time and admitted the "whole club needs re-igniting". Read

Duo give Aston Villa an injury boost

ASTON Villa have been boosted by positive news on influential midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker and the imminent return of Olof Mellberg for Wednesday's must-win Premier clash against Middlesbrough. Read

Gabriel Agbonlahor backed to fire Aston Villa into Europe

MARTIN O'Neill believes Gabby Agbonlahor can re-find his shooting boots and fire Aston Villa closer to Europe. 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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