HomeAuthorsBill Howell

Bill Howell

Bill Howell

Martin O'Neill

Martin O'Neill: I'd like to top up Aston Villa attack

MARTIN O'Neill says he is happy to see his players continue to share goals but admits a proven goalscorer would add even more punch to an already weighty attack. Read

Martin O'Neill tells Aston Villa stars: You have to want to stay here

MARTIN O'Neill says he will not be fooled by empty words from any of his star assets about wanting to stay at Villa Park. Read

Craig Gardner

Craig Gardner fit and raring to go for Aston Villa

CRAIG Gardner warmed up for the Blues derby on the golf course with the rest Read

Martin O'Neill

Martin O'Neill tells Aston Villa players to keep quiet ahead of Birmingham City derby

MARTIN O'Neill has told his players to 'button it' as he takes a careful approach to Sunday's derby by gaging his squad. Read

Aston Villa fans warned not to expect a goal bonanza

MARTIN O'Neill says Aston Villa are in confident mood and raring to go for Sunday's derby with Birmingham City - but he has warned supporters not to expect a free-flowing goals bonanza. Read

Martin O'Neill wants Aston Villa to remain focused

ASTON Villa manager Martin O'Neill was only half joking when he said he could only start to relax and sit down after the sixth goal rolled in at Derby County. Read

Derby 0 Aston Villa 6

AFTER every goal Nigel ReoCoker would trot to the touch-line to be handed a drinks container from which he would take a measured sip. Read

Stiliyan Petrov

Stiliyan Petrov: That was my best goal ever

STILIYAN Petrov hailed his 45-yard cracker at Pride Park as the best goal of his career. Read

Ashley Young: Everton can be caught

ASHLEY Young says Villa head into Sunday's eagerly-anticipated Second City derby against Blues bristling with confidence. Read

Stiliyan Petrov: We are full of surprises

STILIYAN Petrov has warned Blues that rampant Villa have become unpredictable in their play in so far as the goals are arriving from all over the pitch. Read

Aston Villa US tour in limbo from InterToto, says Martin O'Neill

MARTIN O'Neill has revealed that Villa's summer plans are in limbo with a planned American tour put on ice because of their possible inclusion in the InterToto Cup. Read

Martin O'Neill: Attack is the best form of defence

MARTIN O'Neill insists Aston Villa will see out the season on the front foot, because attack is their best form of defence. Read

Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor shortlisted for PFA Young Player of the Year

ASHLEY Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor have both made the shortlist for the PFA Read

Only a win will keep Aston Villa in the hunt, says Martin O'Neill

MARTIN O' Neill has called for "maximum concentration" from his Villa side at rock-bottom Derby tomorrow and has warned them there can be no slip-ups. Read

Martin O'Neill urges caution against Derby County

VILLA will come up against a Derby County side playing without pressure and with a freedom of expression at Pride Park tomorrow, according to Martin O'Neill. Read

Ashley Young

Ashley Young shows he can also play at the back

ASHLEY Young might usually be recognised for his sparkling wing-play and pin-point set-pieces. Read

Zat Knight told by Martin O'Neill: Go back to school

ZAT Knight was today handed a big vote of confidence by Martin O'Neill - but the defender was also urged to take advantage of advances in sports science to learn how to cope with the movement of nippy strikers. Read

Gareth Barry

Martin O'Neill: Gareth Barry is not going to Chelsea

MARTIN O'Neill today dismissed frequent speculation linking Chelsea with a move for his influential skipper Gareth Barry. Read

Nigel Reo-Coker treading disciplinary fine line

NIGEL Reo-Coker will be treading a disciplinary tight-rope at Derby - but Martin O'Neill is not planning to curb the midfielder's aggression ahead of the game with Blues. Read

Nigel Reo-Coker

Nigel Reo-Coker: Let's have no regrets about Aston Villa's season

NIGEL Reo-Coker insists Villa cannot leave themselves with any regrets as they attempt to finish the season on a high with European qualification. 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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