Aston Villa fans survey: Stephen Ireland should be top transfer target say fans
Jun 2 2010 By Mat Kendrick
STEPHEN Ireland has emerged as the player that the Villa Park faithful would most like to see in claret and blue next season – but not at the expense of Holte End hero James Milner.
Click here for full survey results in detail
Hundreds of Villa fans took part in our annual supporters’ survey with more than a third of them identifying Ireland as their favourite potential signing.
The Manchester City midfielder polled 38 per cent of the votes to push Republic of Ireland compatriot and Tottenham striker Robbie Keane into second spot with 28 per cent.
Ireland has been talked about as a possible makeweight in any deal to take Milner to Eastlands – but Villa fans are loathe to lose their star player.
When asked which players Villa should keep, 87 per cent of fans voted for Milner as the most important member of Martin O’Neill’s squad to hang on to, followed by Ashley Young and Richard Dunne.
O’Neill’s own standing with the Villa public seems to be around a similar level to where it was 12 months ago.
A year ago 77 per cent of fans in our survey suggested O’Neill was still the right man to manager Villa.
Now 80 per cent of the respondents reckon the boss did a good or excellent job last season.
The strength of support for O’Neill shows that a large proportion of fans appreciated Villa progressing to the Carling Cup final and FA Cup semi-final.
Despite the result, Villa’s showpiece match against Manchester United at Wembley was the highlight of the campaign for 64 per cent of fans.
Click here for full survey results in detail
