Manchester City has a chance to regain the top spot in the Premier League today when they travel to Villa Park to take on Alex McLeish's side. The Scot's job is rumored to be on a razor's edge as is ...
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Newcastle United vs Aston Villa full match video Highlights and post match interviews with Alan Pardew, Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse and Alex McLeish. Teams Newcastle United (4-4-2): Tim Krul (G), Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (C), Ryan Taylor (Gabriel Obertan 33), Davide Santon, James Perch, Danny Guthrie, Jonas Gutierrez, Leon Best (Papiss Cisse 14), [.

Demba Cisse the most expensive player in the January transfer and the other half of the Senegalese strike force alongside Demba Ba, provided an instant impact as he scored a majestic goal on his debut. Majestic.

Ba and Cisse were away on ACN duty and how they were missed, especially Ba, who gave Newcastle the lead in the 30th minute for his 16th Premiership goal.

For the past few season, Aston Villa has been a club on the fringes of crashing the "Sky Six" party. Coming into the 2011-2012 season, despite the appointment of Alex McLeish as manager, many supporters had hopes that Villa could challenge ...
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One of the least edifying spectacles in modern football is that of managers attempting to deflect criticism for a defeat by making spurious attacks on the opponents who beat them.

I like to think of myself as a connoisseur of this phenomenon, having watched our own otherwise distinguished coach, a certain Mr Arsène Wenger, pull the very same trick on numerous occasions.

One of the least edifying spectacles in modern football is that of managers attempting to deflect criticism for a defeat by making spurious attacks on the opponents who beat them.

I like to think of myself as a connoisseur of this phenomenon, having watched our own otherwise distinguished coach, a certain Mr Arsène Wenger, pull the very same trick on numerous occasions.

By Alan Duffy

After watching his side throw away a two-goal in a bizarre seven-minute second-half capitulation at the Emirates, Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish is apparently desperate for some kind of retribution, with Arsenal captain Robin Van Persie firmly in his sights.

The tackle that started the comeback

The team needed a lift after results of recent weeks. A 1-0 win is great but coming back from 2 goals down to win it, is surely going to give the team the boost that we so desperately need. A game of two halves is the old cliche but certainly applies in this scenario.

Van Persie Cuellar Video- Robin Van Persie elbows Carlos Cuellar FA Cup 2012 Arsenal Villa is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Van Persie Cuellar Video- Robin Van Persie elbows Carlos Cuellar FA Cup 2012 Arsenal Villa is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter This Van Persie elbow on Cuellar ( see video below) drew angry reactions from Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish after his side's 3-2 loss to Arsenal in the fourth [.

Here we are on the verge of our 4th round FA Cup tie with Aston Villa, and yet I find myself still thinking about the substitution of Oxlade-Chamberlin in last weeks 2-1 loss to Manchester United.

With the way Wenger was talking it makes me wonder if he is getting his apologies, or should I say his press conference story ready should we lose today against Alex Mc Leish's Aston Villa.

Arsene Wenger goes in to today's FA Cup clash knowing that realistically it is the only trophy that can end our seven-year silverwear drought. That's probably why he is set to start RVP up front against Alex McLeish's men at the Emirates.

But as you would ecpect given the lack of success at the club of late, AW is also eyeing new talent for the future.

The Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has seen his side beaten just once since losing to Arsenal (thanks to a last minute Yossi Benayoun goal) back in December, and is hoping to carry on that good form in today's FA Cup match at the Emirates. Last week Villa won away at Wolves with two goals [...]

Arsenal head into Sunday's FA Cup fourth round clash with Aston Villa on the back of three consecutive league defeats, but they have still been deemed the favourites by many European bookmakers to emerge victorious.

Arsenal and Villa last played an FA Cup match nearly 29 years ago at the good old Highbury, where the Gunners progressed courtesy of a 2-0 win.

By Alan Duffy

Wenger needs to buy five new players now, and five experienced ones at that...

Where would we be without Twitter? It provides us all with a never-ending conveyor belt of controversy and quirkiness, which us lazy writing types can quickly and easily fashion into a nice little story.

By Phil Gregory

After three defeats on the trot, it makes sense to have a look at the next few fixtures coming up to see where our season is going to get back on track. After three league defeats on the bounce, the FA Cup offers a little welcome respite provided Alex McLeish's Aston Villa [.

Philadelphia Union

Le Toux spotted with Tim Ream at Bolton's win over Liverpool on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Kyle Scott and crossingbroad.com

A report from The Bolton News on Friday quotes Wanderers' manager Owen Coyle on Sebastien Le Toux, "I've had some decent reports on him. He's very industrious, hard working and looks a very good team player, which is what I'm all about.

So yesterday was a day without Wikipedia.
How did we all cope?
Maybe by using the various workarounds that let you bypass Wiki's self-imposed protest blackout. Or whiling away the hours following STV's #fitbawiki chat on Twitter.
Or you could have gone old school and picked up a book.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa are waiting in the wings to make a move for Blackburn defender Scott Dann before the transfer window closes according to skysports.com.
The 24-year-old has made 11 Barclays Premier League starts for Steve Kean's struggling side this season, prior to picking up a groin injury just before the busy festive period.

Alex McLeish has told Liverpool that they will have to make an ‘attractive' offer for Darren Bent if they wish to prize the striker away from Aston Villa.
The Reds have been linked with a January move for the England international, as Kenny Dalglish looks to add much needed firepower to their attacking line.

It was widely thought that after regaining his fitness following hip surgery American and Aston Villa fullback Eric Lichaj would head on loan to Leeds United, where he enjoyed overall success in his first stretch with consistent first-team minutes while on loan there last year.

By Chris Wright

Short and sweet. Our nation's prematurely balding monarch-in-waiting Prince William an Aston Villa fan by trade (look, he even has a hat!) giving a heckler his honest and frank assessment of former Brum manager Alex McLeish's appointment as Villa boss back in the summer while clambering into his car.

Roaring Royal A few months late, this video has risen to prominence after being spotted by the Birmingham Mail. It shows Aston Villa fan Prince William appearing to let out a hysterical laugh when asked about Alex McLeish on the day the former Birmingham boss took charge at Villa Park last August. The Duke of [.

"Shay will go back between the sticks and we explained to Brad that our No. 1 goalkeeper is Shay. Brad didn't necessarily agree but Shay is my first-choice goalkeeper. Football is cruel at times, although Brad's been magnificent. It's the first time I've had a chance to see him in high-profile games and I've been really delighted.

By Alan Duffy

Aston Villa 1-1 Everton Premier League 14th January 2012

Alex McLeish's Villa side once again struggled in front of their home fans, drawing with Everton to make it just three wins out of 10 home league fixtures for the Villans.

Liverpool have reportedly snubbed Aston Villa's bid to sign striker Andy Carroll with Darren Bent offered in exchange.
Reports in the Sunday Express claim Villa chief Alex McLeish has approached his Reds counterpart Kenny Dalglish with a plan which would see reported Anfield target, Bent, make the move to Merseyside with Carroll going to Villa Park.

So, it's that time of the year again when the MLS superstars come back to the Europe. Last season there was talk of Thierry Henry and David Beckham returning to the Premier League but nothing came of it. As for this season, what a treat we have been given!

This blog was originally going to compare who would have the bigger impact between Robbie Keane and Henry during their two months back, but after Monday night's performance from the latter I don't think there's really much of an argument.

So, it's that time of the year again when the MLS superstars come back to the Europe. Last season there was talk of Thierry Henry and David Beckham returning to the Premier League but nothing came of it. As for this season, what a treat we have been given!

This blog was originally going to compare who would have the bigger impact between Robbie Keane and Henry during their two months back, but after Monday night's performance from the latter I don't think there's really much of an argument.

It's official, Robbie Keane is headed to Aston Villa.

The Premier League side confirmed the long-running rumor that the LA Galaxy striker will join Villa for two months during the MLS off-season. The 31-year-old captain of the Irish national team is hoping to stay fit ahead of this summer's European Championships and is the latest in a number of short-term loan deals from MLS clubs to the Premier League.

photo by Neil Tingle/ISIphotos.com

Shay Given has recovered from his groin injury and has returned to training for Aston Villa, but that does not necessarily mean he is going to supplant Brad Guzan as the Villans' starting goalkeeper.

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish is keeping his options open in terms of who to start between the goal posts on a permanent basis as a result of Guzan's string of strong performances since filling in for Given since early December.

Ahead of a proposed loan move, former Liverpool player Robbie Keane has been training with Aston Villa over the last few days, and according to Villa boss Alex McLeish, the Republic of Ireland striker is in 'tip-top' shape.Keane only lasted six months at Anfield before being unceremoniously dumped by former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, but McLeish believes the 31 year old can do a good job for

The thing with Mark Hughes is that we don't really know why he left Fulham. There were various comments after the event mentioning a lack of ambition, which loosely translated seemed to mean "Fulham wouldn't pony up £15m for Pablo Osvaldo". Hughes had a 'get out' day in his contract and (out of nowhere, it seemed) used that clause to escape SW6.

The thing with Mark Hughes is that we don't really know why he left Fulham. There were various comments after the event mentioning a lack of ambition, which loosely translated seemed to mean "Fulham wouldn't pony up £15m for Pablo Osvaldo". Hughes had a 'get out' day in his contract and (out of nowhere, it seemed) used that clause to escape SW6.

By CALEB SONNELAND

Robbie Keane, it would seem, has already sealed his switch to Aston Villa.

The Irishman, reported to be on the brink of a loan move to the Premier League club, is already training with Villa, as seen on a video on the club website.

• Kop That: Joe Cole scores a hat-trick for Lille http://t.co/x9TU23CJ 23:42:05, 2012-01-07
• Kop That: Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish insists Liverpool are not pursuing Darren Bent http://t.co/89IV6Rwa 23:41:56, 2012-01-07
• Kop That: Howard Wilkinson can help make the peace between Liverpool and Manchester United over Suarez affair http://t.

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish says he has been told by Liverpool counterpart Kenny Dalglish the Reds are not interested in signing Darren Bent.
McLeish was speaking after watching his side reach the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 victory at Bristol Rovers.
England striker Bent, 27, who joined Villa from Sunderland a year ago, has been linked with a move away, with Liverpool reportedly among the favourites, and he played in Saturday night's win at the Memorial Stadium.

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish says he has been told by Liverpool counterpart Kenny Dalglish the Reds are not interested in signing Darren Bent.
McLeish was speaking after watching his side reach the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 victory at Bristol Rovers.
England striker Bent, 27, who joined Villa from Sunderland a year ago, has been linked with a move away, with Liverpool reportedly among the favourites, and he played in Saturday night's win at the Memorial Stadium.

Mail: Liverpool don't want Darren Bent, says Alex McLeish

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has revealed that Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has told him he is not interested in signing Darren Bent.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2012-01-07 23:19:25 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Goal: Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish insists Liverpool are not pursuing Darren Bent

The Scot claims the Anfield boss rejected reports linking the England striker with a move to Merseyside and insists the 27-year-old wants to stay at Villa Park

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2012-01-07 22:57:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Sky: McLeish Reds not chasing Bent

Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish says he has been told by Kenny Dalglish that Liverpool are not interested in signing Darren Bent.

View the full story here: Sky Sports

A news article on 2012-01-07 22:00:16 from: Sky Sports

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Liverpool is making progress on establishing grounds to negotiate a deal for Birmingham City winger Nathan Redmond, who is being valued at £10 million by the midlands club.
Redmond has 2 years remaining on his current deal at St. Andrew's, but has recently attracted interest from Manchester City and other Premier League clubs.