HomeAuthorsBill Howell

Bill Howell

Bill Howell

Europe is in Aston Villa's hands, says Martin O'Neill

VILLA must strive to make it six wins out of six at the end of the campaign, Read

Dean Saunders

Dean Saunders praises Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa

FORMER Villa striker Dean Saunders belives Villa possess the firepower to "destroy" Everton. Read

Aston Villa announce season ticket price rise

VILLA today announced season ticket price increases of around 7.5 per cent, around twice the level of inflation, after keeping prices pegged for the last two seasons. Read

Wilfred Bouma

Wilfred Bouma close to new Aston Villa contract

WILFRED Bouma could be close to a new long-term contract at Villa by the end of the week. Read

Aston Villa set to break bank to keep Gareth Barry

MARTIN O'Neill could sweep aside Villa's wage structure in a bid to keep Gareth Barry. Read

Martin O'Neill

Martin O'Neill: I'll fight to keep my stars

MARTIN O'Neill insists he does not want to lose any of his star performers this summer - but admits Villa's current form could soon see them linked to the biggest clubs in Europe. Read

Martin O'Neill

Martin O'Neill hails Stiliyan Petrov

MARTIN O'Neill believes that after 20 months of waiting Villa are finally seeing the very best of Stiliyan Petrov. Read

Martin O'Neill

Martin O'Neill: Aston Villa were sensational

MARTIN O'Neill pushed forwards the international claims of winger Ashley Young after his two goals helped give Villa a record-equalling League win over Blues. Read

Olof Mellberg

Olof Melberg hails the Martin O'Neill revolution at Aston Villa

OLOF Mellberg believes Martin O'Neill's Villa revolution could gather momentum if they can secure European qualification. Read

Martin O'Neill: Europe is so close for Aston Villa

MARTIN O'Neill believes Villa are agonisingly close now to achieving straight qualification for the UEFA Cup for the first time in a decade. Read

Zat Knight

Zat Knight's joy at Aston Villa's five goal blitz of Birmingham City

LOCAL boy Zat Knight revelled in Villa's five-star show against Blues. Read

Scott Carson

Scott Carson: Gareth Barry has to stay at Aston Villa

SCOTT Carson joined the clamour for Gareth Barry to stay at the club- even Read

John Carew: Aston Villa result is simply the best

JOHN Carew hailed the thrashing of Blues as the "greatest experience" of his 15 months at Villa. Read

Aston Villa 5 Birmingham City 1

VERA Lynn was not known for her visits to Villa Park but her songs live on, writes BILL HOWELL. Read

Mauro Zarate

Aston Villa must beware of Mauro Zarate, says Martin O'Neill

MARTIN O'Neill believes that Argentinian sensation Mauro Zarate will have to Read

Shaun Maloney

Shaun Maloney has a role at Aston Villa, says Martin O'Neill

SHAUN Maloney still has a part to play this season for Villa, according to Martin O'Neill. Read

Aston Villa defence is not a concern, says Martin O'Neill

MARTIN O'Neill says Villa are heading into Sunday's game with not only a belief they will score goals but also a confidence they are no longer paying for slack defending. Read

Martin O'Neill

Martin O'Neill: Experience will count for nothing in derby

VILLA'S older heads will not necessarily be the ones who lead from the front at Villa Park on Sunday. Read

Form not an issue for Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill

MARTIN O'Neill will not be drawn into a debate as to whether Blues will stay up. Read

Stiliyan Petrov

Stilian Petrov: I want to be a Holte End hero at Aston Villa

STILIYAN Petrov is eyeing hero status at Villa Park and knows another wonder goal like the one at Derby will take him one giant step towards it. 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.

Get involved

We want your local stories, videos & pics.