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.

Ball-ache of playing for Rangers Ex-Rangers left-back Michael Ball says he realised the club was heading for financial meltdown because he had to pay £4,000 to former club Everton every time he wanted to play for the Scottish giants. The England international found his career was caught up in an pay deal between the [.

By Alan Duffy

Arsenal Aston Villa Premier League 24th March 2012

Arsenal increased their lead over rivals Tottenham to three points in the table after a comfortable home win against a very poor Villa side.

Despite losing Laurent Kosielny in the warm-up, which meant that the far less reliable Johan Djourou started alongside Thomas Vermaelen, the Gunners dominated the game from the off, with Kieron Gibbs netting on 16 minutes before Theo Walcott made it two on 25 minutes, superbly finishing after a fantastic pass from Alex Song.

Bolton Wanderers 2-1 victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park this week has handed Owen Coyle's side a Premier League lifeline whilst also ensuring that the Villa boss, Alex McLeish,will have a few sleepless nights over the next couple of weeks as his team become inexorably dragged into the relegation fight.

Bolton Wanderers 2-1 victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park this week has handed Owen Coyle's side a Premier League lifeline whilst also ensuring that the Villa boss, Alex McLeish,will have a few sleepless nights over the next couple of weeks as his team become inexorably dragged into the relegation fight.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Imagine this: 2010. You support a club which has won the European Cup, your team has a wealthy American owner , they are Wembley regulars and are usually in contact with the League leaders, they are managed by one of the best PL managers (O'Neill) and have some decent players in the squad.

Move forward a couple of years to 2012.

Arsenal made easy work of Aston Villa yesterday with a 3-0 win at the Emirates Stadium. In doing so, the Gunners made it seven league wins in a row, and did not concede a single shot on goal to their opponents; they are the first team to do this on more than one occasion this season.

It's quite an achievement, there can be no doubting that.

That was easy then. Arsenal completely outplayed Aston Villa and won comfortably while cruising through the second half in second gear. The macro-level stats provide a good picture of the game. Arsenal completed 534 or their 608 passes that led to 72 percent possession as against Villa's 152/226 passes and 28 percent possession.

Ben Lyttleton of Sports Illustrated wrote a great piece this past week on how professional clubs go about searching for new coaches.
When clubs do search for new coaches, there's often contradictory philosophies . Clubs often don't have a direct succession plan in place to replace coaches, and also often take the wrong advice or make decisions based on reputations.

1. Ashley Young has taken QPR owner Tony Fernandes' suggestion seriously and is making a genuine effort to be Tom Daley's diving partner at London 2012. 2. Amid all the heightened security presence in the Falklands, the UK took its eyes off the ball and Norwich fell prey to some impressive Argentinian attacks on Saturday.

The relegation battle took another turn last night as Bolton's come from behind win at Villa park, dragged Aston Villa firmly into the relegation battle.

Alex McLeish, whose hiring upset a lot of Villa fans initially, faced the full fury of angry Aston Villa fans last night after Bolton came from behind to win.

Aston Villa: what if the problem is the club and not McLeish? - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

This Premier League season has been a memorable one, with the title race again going down to the wire and potentially being settled by a Manchester derby, the new arrivals Norwich and Swansea reminding everyone that the gap in class between the Premier League and the Championship actually isn't all that great, and the relegation battle is probably one of the tightest battles there has been in the Premier League since it's inception 20 years ago.

Aston Villa: what if the problem is the club and not McLeish? - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

This Premier League season has been a memorable one, with the title race again going down to the wire and potentially being settled by a Manchester derby, the new arrivals Norwich and Swansea reminding everyone that the gap in class between the Premier League and the Championship actually isn't all that great, and the relegation battle is probably one of the tightest battles there has been in the Premier League since it's inception 20 years ago.

The season is nearly over and as we go into our penultimate game of the season the Champions League qualification spot is still up for grabs as is 3rd place! THFC1882 is pleased have Mike Hooley back to preview the game.

Following a very encouraging 4-1 victory on Wednesday night away at Bolton, which itself came hot on the heels of a home win against Wanderers' fellow Lancashire relegation candidates Blackburn, Spurs face a third team threatened with relegation on Sunday afternoon.

What Are The Prospects For Aston Villa? - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Aston Villa on Monday sacked Alex McLeish. You can hardly blame them for sacking him. McLeish is so negative magnets in his presence never attract and only repel. He could fall on some tube tracks and not be electrocuted.

Barry Bannan stands out.

RJ Sepich is an ardent Aston Villa and USMNT Supporter. Sepich is the Sports Editor at The Pitt News, the daily student newspaper at the University of Pittsburgh. This is RJ's first piece for TSG.

Like many Aston Villa fans and players, Villa midfielder Barry Bannan was probably happy to see the end of a miserable season for the West Midlands side.

Didier Drogba is reportedly moving closer toward making China the next stop on his career path.

The former Chelsea striker, who confirmed Tuesday that he was leaving the Blues after eight years and just delivering a UEFA Champions League title, has entered into negotiations with Shanghai Shenhua, according to the Chinese club that also employs his former Chelsea teammate, Nicolas Anelka, as a player/coach.

What is it about the festive season and Charlie Adam that don't go well? A missed penalty and an own goal blighted this year's celebrations, while 12 months ago his failed transfer attempt to Liverpool got the New Year off to a shaky start. And in January 2009 he was dealt a devastating blow to his career when Rangers let him go.

What is it about the festive season and Charlie Adam that don't go well? A missed penalty and an own goal blighted this year's celebrations, while 12 months ago his failed transfer attempt to Liverpool got the New Year off to a shaky start. And in January 2009 he was dealt a devastating blow to his career when Rangers let him go.

On the last day of 2011, Brad Guzan got his first big result as a starting Premier League goalkeeper. Guzan's Aston Villa beat Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. After giving up a 23rd minute penalty, Villa were level five minutes later through a Stephen Ireland goal. Stiliyan Petrov put Villa in front in the 83rd, with Darren Bent scoring three minutes later.

By Alan Duffy

Chelsea 1-3 Aston Villa Premier League 31st December 2011

Coming only days after he was chastised by manager Alex McLeish for being photographed with a hookah pipe and drink in hand, Stephen Ireland rediscovered his best midfield form to inspire the Villans to a superb and surpirsing victory at Stamford Bridge.

According to the Daily Mail, Darren Bent is on his way to Liverpool.
The £24 million pound man is rumored to be unsettled at Ville Park and would jump at the chance at joining Liverpool.
Selling Bent would be detrimental to Alex McLeish's plans but club finances dictate that should the Villa manager want to strengthen his side then almost every player is susceptible to a bid.

Alex McLeish insists Liverpool linked Darren Bent will not leave Aston Villa

The manager has insisted the England international will remain at Villa Park after it was reported that the Reds were interested in a move for the club's record signing

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2012-01-02 08:04:00 from: Goal

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

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish insists that striker Darren Bent will not be sold in the transfer window.
Following his team's 3-1 victory away to Chelsea in which Bent scored the third goal after appearing as a substitute, he told reporters: "He won't be leaving."
The England international has been linked with a move to Liverpool after exit rumours intensified when he was photographed out shopping during his team's 2-0 defeat to the Reds.

Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

By JOHN BOSCHINI

Following Landon Donovan's loan to Everton and Thierry Henry's reported loan to Arsenal, a third MLS Designated Player could be on his way to the Premier League this winter, as Aston Villa is reportedly looking to sign Los Angeles Galaxy striker Robbie Keane to a two-month loan deal.

So i don't know whether to believe these rumours or simply laugh them off. Aston Villa are reported to be seriously considering signing Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

By all standards, Villa is a good team, however, Alex Mcleish's plans on Drogba joining at the end of the season are a bit too ambitious.

Sky: McLeish No Reds Bent contact

Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish insists he has not had any contact with Liverpool about a possible move for Darren Bent.

View the full story here: Sky Sports

A news article on 2012-01-05 14:45:13 from: Sky Sports

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

Guardian: LA Galaxy striker Robbie Keane set for two-month Aston Villa loan deal

• Keane could make Villa debut against Everton • Petr Cech commits to Chelsea despite transfer talk Aston Villa are in talks to sign the LA Galaxy striker Robbie Keane on a two-month loan deal, which could be completed in time for their next Premier League game against Everton on 14 January.

Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish insists he has not had any contact with Liverpool about a possible move for Darren Bent.
Rumours have suggested Liverpool are weighing up a move for Bent as they look to bring in cover in attack with Luis Suarez currently serving an eight-game ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra.

By CALEB SONNELAND

Omar Gonzalez, fresh off the plane and training with Nürnberg, was given a Bundesliga welcome by compatriot, and now teammate, Timmy Chandler in a crunching tackle — one that left the former with an injured knee.

Though the extent of the injury is yet to be confirmed by the club, Gonzalez is seen pictured on the pitch in pain as a club physio examines his left knee.

Goal: Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish reveals there has been no Liverpool bid for striker Darren Bent

The former Birmingham boss has moved to end speculation linking the 27-year-old with a switch to Anfield, and insists any offer made for the forward will be rejected

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2012-01-05 15:58:00 from: Goal

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.

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.

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.