By Ollie Irish

Some recommended football content:

TOP LINK A fine review of Match of the Day by our friend Alex Netherton Sabotage Times

Mutinous Nicolas Anelka hit with 18-game international ban! Surely he won't play again for France, even if the ban is reduced on appeal NY Times

WAG Abbey Clancy pulls on some riding gear, tries to forget about cheating Crouchy Goaly Moly

Chelsea want to work on Ashley Cole's public image.

I set a low bar for Bob Bradley and he easily cleared it today when he named fis 30-man preliminary roster.

As I wrote yesterday, all I wanted him to do was:

1. Name only three goalies.
2. Don't name less than 30 players.
3. Leave Frankie Hejduk in Columbus.

Pass, pass and pass.

Michael Williams

As the final whistle in Bloemfontein signalled the end of England‘s dismal World Cup campaign, the nature of their departure from South Africa became hot topic for journalists and the public alike.

Nerves, tiredness and performance were just a handful of excuses as to why Fabio Capello and his squad failed to deliver but the lack of any young prodigies in the English game gained extra attention.

England legend Alan Shearer has publicly stated his desire to see Aston Villa starlet Ashley Young in Fabio Capello's final 23 man squad for this summer's World Cup in South Africa. Many pundits are pointing to a battle between Young and Chelsea's Joe Cole for the final wing spot on England's roster, and Shearer believes it is Young that would benefit striker Wayne Rooney the most.

Source: Sp Ftball Sprts Blog /Spanish Sports paper "Marca"" has a "hit & miss" reputation as they at times transmit the idea that selling papers in more important than substance. However, they are "well" connected & when they do score they score well. Today's issue publishes that FC BARCELONA have a substitute in mind for Thierry Henry who is speculated will leave Barça for US Soccer next season.

It was often said through out much of the last ten years that England's midfield was its strongest point. With Beckham in his pomp and Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard ably assisted by a constant rotation of players wedged in to the left midfield position, it often felt a little hollow.

Two days until kick-off, so let's throw some more names out there for you as you prepare for your mini-league and NCNB Fantasy League domination. We already looked at strikers, so here's a quick and dirty look at midfielders. Expensive: Lampard ... Continue reading →

White Hart Lane boss prepares player swap for a winger that he may not really need?

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TOTTENHAM are ready to use Robbie Keane or Jermaine Jenas as part of a deal to lure £25m Ashley Young to White Hart Lane.

New Anfield boss makes very grand plans.

Think Argentina will lift the World Cup? Bet with Betfair and get £25 free!

Quality CaughtOffside T-Shirts Available

Aston Villa winger Ashley Young is top of Roy Hodgson's wishlist as he tries to add British players to his Liverpool team.

He didn't make England's World Cup Team after a disappointing season for Aston Villa last year (though he certainly could have been an improvement over some of the players Capello sent out onto the pitch) but 2 years ago Young was the hottest young property in the league.
His blistering pace, trickery, and crossing was superb - if not always consistent, and he looked like a star in the making who would be on top of his game as an England international for years to come.

By Ollie Irish

Rumour of the day: Tottenham want Villa winger Ashley Young good young player, no doubt and will offer David Bentley, Robbie Keane and Jermaine Jenas in return. Classic Redknapp, always looking for a Del Boy deal.

As I did for the Arsenal preview, I'm going to make some assumptions related to ongoing transfer speculation. I'm going to assume that like Everton did last season with Lescott, Villa will capitulate to the huge offer from Man City on Milner and end up with Ireland and a bunch of cash. Since I see Ireland plus cash for Milner as being great business for Villa - especially if they put that cash

Articulate, funny and an enthusiastic celebrator of his team's goals, Martin O'Neill is one of the most popular men in football. Having done a superb job at Leicester City, and a very good one at Celtic (despite quite heavy spending) he was linked with the Manchester United job in 2002 (before Ferguson stayed on) and was interviewed for the England Managership in 2006.

Tottenham may have been quiet in this summer's transfer market so far, but with the club now in the Champions League group stage the transfer speculation is rapidly gaining pace. According to newspaper reports, not only is Harry Redknapp closing in on a possible deal for West Ham United midfielder Scott Parker, but last night he reportedly made an official bid for Aston Villa winger Ashley Young.

After another week of second-rate defending it's really no surprise to see that only three defenders made this week's Team of the Week. It should also not be a surprise to see certain strikers on the list following their contributions. What may be a surprise is that this is the first time some of these top-class players have featured in this JBM segment.

I've been waiting for this interview to be published all day! Ashley Young sat down with The Sun today as part of promotional activity for VMF and has assured fans that he is committed to Aston Villa, despite putting contract negotiations on ice.

Ashley Young
All I'm doing is concentrating on my football.

Authors note: As this is the first of many in an ongoing series I'll attempt to keep some form of continuity throughout the end of the season but am sure to change aspects of the column to fit mine and readers needs. It'll be difficult deciding what defines a week as various Premier League teams are spread thin through other obligations including European competitions and domestic Cups.

As a Wolves fan, I should be feeling strong dislike/borderlines hatred for West Midlands rivals Aston Villa. But as an England fan, it's very hard not to wish Villa well. Gareth Barry may be gone, but players like Gabby Agbonlahor, Emile Heskey, Ashley Young, Stewart Downing and James Milner regularly feature in Villa's starting lineup.

In the 27th cup final of Sir Alex Ferguson's career, he picked up his 34th trophy since taking over at Old Trafford. Most managers will not even win half as much silverware in their lifetime.

And here we have a 68-year-old legend who celebrates every trophy as if it were his first and last.

Roberto Mancini ready to bring England winger to Eastlands.

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Manchester City will attempt to lure Aston Villa winger Ashley Young to Eastlands this summer. Roberto Mancini has earmarked the 24 year old England international as one of his transfer targets as he gets ready to spend big to add more creativity to his midfield in order to improve the supply line to his many striking talents.

Villa Park star wanted by La Liga giants.

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Barcelona are keen to snap up Aston Villa winger Ashley Young this summer. The Nou Camp side are ready to enter the race for the England international and are likely to tempt the 24 year old wide man and interest from the Champions League holders may well make it very hard for Martin O'Neill to keep the player from having his head turned.

White Hart Lane boss ready to make cheeky move for Villa Park man.

Win the Club Shirt Of Your Choice Simply by Speaking Your Mind!

Harry Redknapp is lining up a surprise bid for Aston Villa winger Ashley Young this summer. The Tottenham boss is hopeful that the allure or a potential Champions League spot, if indeed the White Hart Lane secures a top four finish, will act as an incentive to the England international.

Old Trafford boss eyes up another Villa Park talent.

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Sir Alex Ferguson has decided to switch attention from one Aston Villa winger to another by aiming to snap up England international Ashley Young instead of his Villa Park teammate James Milner.

Eastlands boss wants to bring in England international.

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Roberto Mancini is hoping to lure Aston Villa winger Ashley Young to Eastlands and is willing to make a big money bid to bring the England international to Eastlands.

Roberto Mancini looks to bring England duo to Eastlands.

Win the Club Shirt Of Your Choice Simply by Speaking Your Mind!

Manchester City will this summer attempt an audacious Villa Park raid as they look to sign England pair Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young. Roberto Mancini has placed both attackers at the top of his summer wish list and hopes to convince the duo that they are more likely to fulfill their Champions League aspirations at Eastlands than at Aston Villa.

Posted by Eric Beard. The interwebs are dangerous, but don't worry, here's the best of the beautiful game that I found this week.

Spain's legendary announcer Camacho celebrating with uncontrollably passionate gestures [Dirty Tackle]

Emotion no substitute for clear thinking: Tim Vickery's brilliant analysis on why Dunga and Maradona failed.

By Ollie Irish

Five goals at London Road last night, including a gem of an opener by Ashley Young, made this a friendly worth watching.

Posh look in pretty good shape for the new season. Villa should be fine, but it's slightly worrying for Martin O'Neill that James Milner is still in Man City's sights, reportedly, whilst Young has yet to commit to new contract talks.

So, the sub-sub-plot that has been bubbling under the surface this summer has finally reached it's conclusion.

No, Steven Gerrard HASN'T gotten a former footballer's 16-year-old daughter pregnant!

Martin O'Neill has stepped down from his post at Aston Villa.

Now, as this story was been breaking and the ripple-effect felt by Villa fans across the country, I was surprised to find that a few of them were shocked by his resignation.

On the same day that Martin O'Neill sensationally resigned from his post as manager of Aston Villa, Fabio Capello proved yet again he has no answers as he faced the media for the first time since the dust settled on England's World Cup nightmare.

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By Ollie Irish

Today's Armchair Gaffer features Aston Villa, of course.

The vultures are circling. They fancy a peck or two at the carcass Martin O'Neill left behind and who can blame them.

O'Neill has gone in the night, leaving Aston Villa without a manager just days before the start of the new season.

Cripes, it's upon us. No longer a blurry speck in the distance, the new campaign approacheth sharpish – and as such a wish-list for season 2010/11 is, if nothing else, rather timely...

1. Finish Fourth

Why the devil not? Admittedly nothing seems to have changed and nobody has been bought, but finishing fourth is scientifically proven to be awesome, so let's aim for it again.

Alright, here's Butt's Brain for you on a Saturday morning to open the Premier League. Some thoughts from around the league as I watch the games and read the live text for some others... Blackpool are top of the league. ... Continue reading →

Praise indeed for Villa winger Ashley Young has found out he has a not-so-secret admirer in Spain after Lionel Messi tweeted a glowing reference for the Aston Villa star. The Barcelona attacker was on Twitter as he tuned into Villa's victory over West Ham on Saturday. Messi tweeted: "The Villa vs. West Ham match is really exciting [.

I read an article on the Guardian website today and learned that last week's England game ended with two players from Stevenage in the team. Aston Villa's Ashley Young and Arsenal's Jack Wilshere came on for Fabio Capello's new look England side and helped them come from a goal down to win the game by 2 goals to 1.

Gameweek three of the Barclays Premier League had that business as usual feel to it as it marked the first time in the young season where one or two of those marquee matches weren't on offer. Approaching the weekend, the Aston Villa v Everton clash intrigued me the most, while Manchester City v Sunderland and Liverpool v WBA also proved interesting litmus test matches for traditionally bigger clubs to gauge where they stand against teams they "should" beat.

With the transfer window slamming shut tomorrow Tottenham have surprisingly been one of the most inactive clubs. But should Harry Redknapp make a last ditch attempt to strengthen his squad ahead of their assault on the Champions League?

Redknapp's quiet summer has been quite surprising when you consider his reputation as a bit of a wheeler and dealer.

Transfer deadline day. As I write this we're 8.30 hours away from the end of the rumour mills and the various "In The Know's" located all over the internet will have to jump back into their boxes until at least mid December.

It seems it could be a busy day, as it always is just before the window shuts, but will it be for Spurs?

So after a somewhat belated start to his managerial career at Villa Park, Gerard Houllier will need little time to assimilate himself back in to the rigours of English football. His six year stint at Liverpool is still fresh in the memory for many, especially for landing us with El Hadj Diouf for the last six years.

Gérard Houllier has signed the contract he said he would. It's a three year deal. Really pretty simple, not sure why it's such huge news, but it seems to be lighting up the wires at the moment, so to speak.

Previously, Emile Heskey was dominating the headlines, for the right reasons for once, following the impact he made against Blackburn midweek.

Marc Albrighton crashing into the first team with such style this season could be the real catalyst for raising this question, after all, Stephen Ireland was considered a like-for-like swap for James Milner and there's no reason in the world why I'd be asking where Milner would fit in if he was still with us now.