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Bill Howell

Bill Howell

Martin O'Neill confirms Aston Villa quartet's exit

MARTIN O'Neill has confirmed four of his Aston Villa squad have left the club. Read

Steven Davis has shown Aston Villa players the way, says Gabriel Agbonlahor

GABRIEL Agbonlahor says Villa must take heart from Steven Davis's remarkable transition at Rangers as the Northern Ireland international bids for UEFA Cup glory this evening. Read

Martin O'Neill has a final goal

MARTIN O'Neill will have his eyes fixed firmly on tonight's UEFA Cup final and he wants his Villa players to believe they can make it to the showpiece occasion next season. Read

Gareth Barry

Gareth Barry can go if price is right, says Martin O'Neill

MARTIN O'Neill will not stand in Gareth Barry's way should the Villa skipper eventually confirm, as expected, his desire to quit Villa Park for Anfield. Read

Martin O'Neill

Martin O'Neill: UEFA Cup just the start for Aston Villa

MARTIN O'Neill says Aston Villa's long-term ambitions are the Champions League and just not the UEFA Cup as the club look towards a first European adventure in seven years. Read

Martin O'Neill anxious to up Aston Villa numbers

MARTIN O'Neill says the time is right to talk to Randy Lerner as they set about giving Villa the best chance of competing on two stages next season. Read

Aston Villa's Euro draw would stir memories for Martin O'Neill

VILLA will have to play 18 European matches to get to the UEFA Cup Final at the home ground of Fenerbahce, in Istanbul, on May 20, 2009. Read

Rafa Benitez hits back at Martin O'Neill attack

RAFA BENITEZ has continued his war of words with Martin O'Neill by insiting Liverpool have done everything by the book in their bid to sign Villa skipper Gareth Barry. Read

West Ham United 2 Aston Villa 2

VILLA in London equals Sweeney Todd to good barbering. The InterToto it is then, writes BILL HOWELL. Read

Gareth Barry

Martin O'Neill prepares for Gareth Barry talks

GARETH Barry was today hailed as a "Demi God" at Villa by Martin O'Neill - just 24 hours before a crunch meeting between the Villa boss and Randy Lerner to discuss his future. Read

Job done by Aston Villa, says Nigel Reo-Coker

GARETH Barry may have pointed to a Villa side on the up and up - but he kept his own future well and truly under wraps following the final day draw at West Ham. Read

Nigel Reo-Coker and Olof Mellberg did Aston Villa proud, says Martin O'Neill

MARTIN O'Neill says Nigel Reo-Coker thrived against his old club and also praised Olof Mellberg for his farewell shirt gesture to Villa's travelling fans. Read

Aston Villa should have won at West Ham, says Martin O'Neill

MARTIN O'Neill conceded that Villa were unfortunate not to get all three points at the Boleyn Ground. Read

Martin O'Neill: You're talking a load of rubbish Rafa!

MARTIN O'Neill today angrily hit back at Rafa Benitez for claiming he was involved in dialogue with him for three weeks over the sale of Gareth Barry to Liverpool. Read

I won't let the boo-boys win - Nigel Reo Coker

NIGEL REO-Coker has revealed he has received letters of goodwill from some West Ham supporters on the eve of his return to Upton Park. Read

Olof Mellberg: What a way for me to sign off

OLOF Mellberg believes leading Villa to fifth place in his final season at the club would represent a "fantastic" achievement because he says the Premier League is tougher than ever. Read

Aston Villa's UEFA Cup dreams hinge on the final day of the season

MARTIN O'Neill says Villa head to West Ham this Sunday "with plenty to play for" but he admits that a Blackburn win at Blues could leave them with nothing. Read

Gareth Barry

Liverpool 'way off target' with Gareth Barry offer, says Martin O'Neill

MARTIN O'Neill has warned Liverpool they are "a million miles away" with their valuation of Gareth Barry. Read

Wilfred Bouma

Freddie Bouma deserves new Aston Villa contract, says Martin O'Neill

MARTIN O'Neill says Wilfred Bouma thoroughly deserves the two or three-year contract that will be coming his way at the end of the season. Read

Gareth Barry gets a pep-talk off Martin O'Neill

MARTIN O'Neill has held pep-talks with Gareth Barry in an attempt to take the pressure off his skipper amid fevered speculation he is on his way to Liverpool. 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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