The January 2011 transfer window was a blockbuster one as Premier League teams spent over £210
MILLION on transfers. Amongst the big spenders were Chelsea (David Luiz £21.4m, Fernando Torres
£50m), Liverpool (Andy Carroll £35m, Luis Suarez £22.8m) and Aston Villa (Darren Bent £18m,
Jean Makoun £6m).
Team news, manager quotes and match facts ahead of the Champions League Group F tie between
Olympiacos and Arsenal at Stadio Karaiskaki.
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger selected a mixed squad for the final Champions League Group F game
at Olympiacos.
With the Gunners already qualified having won the group, the likes of raw midfielders Oguzhan
Ozyakup and Craig Eastmond, defenders Ignasi Miquel and Nico Yennaris many of whom had played in
the Carling Cup defeat toManchester City - were included, along withEngland Under-21
international Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Team news, manager quotes and match facts ahead of the Champions League Group F tie between
Olympiacos and Arsenal at Stadio Karaiskaki.
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger selected a mixed squad for the final Champions League Group F game
at Olympiacos.
With the Gunners already qualified having won the group, the likes of raw midfielders Oguzhan
Ozyakup and Craig Eastmond, defenders Ignasi Miquel and Nico Yennaris many of whom had played in
the Carling Cup defeat toManchester City - were included, along withEngland Under-21
international Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Team news, manager quotes and match facts ahead of the Champions League Group F tie between
Olympiacos and Arsenal at Stadio Karaiskaki.
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger selected a mixed squad for the final Champions League Group F game
at Olympiacos.
With the Gunners already qualified having won the group, the likes of raw midfielders Oguzhan
Ozyakup and Craig Eastmond, defenders Ignasi Miquel and Nico Yennaris many of whom had played in
the Carling Cup defeat toManchester City - were included, along withEngland Under-21
international Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Jean II Makoun has been a hit on and off the pitch from the moment he arrived and he may be
about to become something of a cult hero. I'm not entirely sure what's going on here, but Makoun is
the star of this music video which appears to be entirely dedicated to him. Better still, he and
his friends are rocking out in his Villa shirt, amongst others.
Why Villa must splash the cash in wake of pitiful pre-season defeat to
Derby
I was at Pride Park last night to see Aston Villa crash to a disappointing 2-0 defeat to
Championship Derby as the hosts' keeper barely had a save to make. Villa line-up was admittedly a
largely second string team.
This is the second in InTheStands' Transfermation series exploring the potential
summer ahead for all Premiership clubs involved....this addition: Aston Villa
Where they stand:
Well, well, well, if I was an Aston Villa fan I would be sceptical – looking down the barrel
at another mid-table finish.
Bradley, ready to get some consecutive run in 2011....
A report by German's RP Online states that US midfielder Michael Bradley's option has been
picked up by Aston Villa, ending his tenure at Borussia Monchengladbach.
With a vote of confidence from Villa's 2nd in command Gary McAllister at the end of the campaign
and the departure of Nigel Reo-Coker even more so, Bradley's likely destination appeared to be
Villa for some time now.
Update:
What's changed since we did this piece below in March:
• The Resurgence of Stan Petrov at Aston Villa
The skinny: After coming back from injury, the captain increasingly found the
pitch for Villa as they navigated away from relegation waters.
Blackpool have lost their last five games, Ian Holloway will be
desperate to avoid a sixth straight defeat. He'll have half an eye over the horizon to his
next game against Tottenham, perhaps hoping that Wolves might offer an opportunity for points after
that. And then Chelsea will come to town.
Ashley Young and Darren Bent scored both goals for England in
a 2-1 victory over Denmark in Copenhagen tonight. It capped a pretty decent performance from
England despite conceding an early Daniel Agger goal.
It was Ash's first goal for England, winning his 12th cap, and Bent's 2nd goal in what was
amazingly only his 8th appearance for the national side.
Ashley Young and Darren Bent scored both goals for England in
a 2-1 victory over Denmark in Copenhagen tonight. It capped a pretty decent performance from
England despite conceding an early Daniel Agger goal.
It was Ash's first goal for England, winning his 12th cap, and Bent's 2nd goal in what was
amazingly only his 8th appearance for the national side.
Jean Makoun picked up the Man of the Match award against Fulham and has rightly
won the plaudits from most quarters. But not everyone is impressed.
It's true that his tackling isn't the greatest just yet, but his passing is exemplary; he was
the leading passer on the pitch against bother Man Utd and Fulham.
Jean Makoun picked up the Man of the Match award against Fulham and has rightly
won the plaudits from most quarters. But not everyone is impressed.
It's true that his tackling isn't the greatest just yet, but his passing is exemplary; he was
the leading passer on the pitch against bother Man Utd and Fulham.
The 9th of February is a FIFA scheduled interlull and we have quite a number of players called
up to their senior national teams:
Firstly, Darrent Bent, Gabby Agbonlahor, Ashley
Young, Stewart Downing and Kyle Walker were called up to
the England squad travelling to Copenhagen to play Denmark.
It was honours even at Villa Park after a frustrating performance led to points being dropped
for the second time against Fulham this season. An own goal from John Pantsil and a superb goal
from Kyle Walker were both cancelled out by goals from Andrew Johnson and Clint
Dempsey.
This mid-season transfer window has been exciting! While I expected a couple of minor signings here
and there, I would've never imagined the deals which went on this January. Here's what went on in
the English Premier League, Serie A, and La Liga.
In
England Chelsea were the biggest spenders, snatching
Fernando Torres and
David Luiz for a total sum around 70 million Pounds.
Can Jozy's move help his USMNT career?
While the MLS transfer window is still open for another three months, the international transfer
window closed Monday. If you are a fan of an international league, you know how crazy this
January transfer window was with money and players being tossed about in a dizzying fashion.
You may or may not have noticed that I haven't been following Premier League games up with
Statshacks for a little while. There are numerous reasons for that which I won't bore you with, but
I have still been glancing at the numbers and I have to bring Jean Makoun's passing statistics from
Old Trafford last night to your attention.
You may or may not have noticed that I haven't been following Premier League games up with
Statshacks for a little while. There are numerous reasons for that which I won't bore you with, but
I have still been glancing at the numbers and I have to bring Jean Makoun's passing statistics from
Old Trafford last night to your attention.
Brad Friedel became Aston Villa's oldest ever player tonight, but you would never have known it
as he pulled out a number of superb saves to prevent a much harsher scoreline than the 3-1 this one
finished.
Wayne Rooney signalled a timely return to form with two very well taken goals in open play in
the first and last minutes of the first half.
With over £210m spent in the just closed January transfer window, there are some deals that
make you shake your head and some that are actually good value. Here were the top five buys in the
January window.
Luis Suarez (Ajax to Liverpool for £22.8m)
The 24-year-old Suarez has a great goal scoring record in Holland with 81 goals in 108 games
with Ajax.
January Transfer Window 2011 done deals (Premier League) is a post from: Just Football
Here, as a handy resource for you to browse over, is the full list of completed Premier
League deals that took place in the January transfer window 2011. The total spending, some £215.5
million, is a league record.
It's been the busiest January transfer window I can remember testimony to our lack of activity
in the summer and position in the table at the turn of the year so I thought it worth putting a
summary together on a day that will inevitably be dominated by Fernando Torres
rumours and counter-rumours.
There are four American midfielders at the moment that I'd be be happy to see join Villa if we
had room to use them; Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan are more than capable of fitting in on the
flanks, Stuart Holden would be a useful creative addition in the centre and Michael
Bradley would be my choice of a holding, box-to-box water carrier in the middle.
I'm sick of the sight of Blackburn Rovers. We've played them eight times in the last two years;
four times in the cups, four times in the Premier League. Villa have a 100% record in the cups, but
Blackburn have won the last three league meetings.
It's the 4th round of the FA Cup, form largely goes out the window, but for what it's worth,
Villa are obviously riding high on back to back league wins for the first time this season.
Don't look now, but I think our season may well be back on track after a hard won three points
in Wigan thanks to goals from Gabby Agbonlahor and Ashley Young from the spot, despite James
McCarthy's deflected effort setting up the usual nervous final 10 minutes.
Jean Makoun made his Aston Villa debut and Nathan Baker made a surprising Premier League debut
in place of the injured Ciaran Clark at left back, both giving a very good account of
themselves.
Don't look now, but I think our season may well be back on track after a hard won three points
in Wigan thanks to goals from Gabby Agbonlahor and Ashley Young from the spot, despite James
McCarthy's deflected effort setting up the usual nervous final 10 minutes.
Jean Makoun made his Aston Villa debut and Nathan Baker made a surprising Premier League debut
in place of the injured Ciaran Clark at left back, both giving a very good account of
themselves.
By Ollie Irish
Assistant referee Sian Massey in action on the touchline during Wolves vs Liverpool. Massey was
the target of sexist comments by Sky's Andy Gray and Richard Keys, for which the pair were
suspended.
Liverpool's Raul Meireles scores their second goal of the game at Wolves, with a perfectly
executed dipping volley.
Five days ago, I wasn't much looking forward to Saturday, but how quickly things can change; all
it took was £26m! Seriously though, it's amazing what a boost the acquisition of Darren
Bent has provided. To everyone, fans and players alike it would seem;
Gabby, Ash & James Collins all waxing lyrical
about Bent joining the team.
Done deal. Four and a half year deal.
Darren Bent has officially completed his move from Sunderland in what will be a record transfer
deal for Villa (£18m rising to £24m the most popular claim) and will be eligible for Man City on
Saturday. I think he'll probably play, don't you?
Bent brings undoubted quality exactly where we need it the most.
Stephen Warnock is poised to return to Liverpool after accepting he has little future at Aston
Villa, according to a report.
The England left-back has lost his place in the Villa first team and manager Gerard Houllier has
indicated he is free to leave.
Blackburn Rovers were keen to sign the 29-year-old but it now seems that his destination will be
Liverpool, reports the Daily Mail.
Jean Makoun when he played for LilleAston Villa have signed Jean Makoun from Olympique Lyonnais for
about 6 million Pounsa. The Cameroon midfielder joins Villa in 19th position, and he should be able
to bring some solidity to the midfield. Makoun is a dynamic defensive midfielder, he's seen in
front of the defence spreading passes around and offering an extra layer of protection in front of
goal.
Jean Makoun when he played for LilleAston Villa have signed Jean Makoun from Olympique Lyonnais for
about 6 million Pounsa. The Cameroon midfielder joins Villa in 19th position, and he should be able
to bring some solidity to the midfield. Makoun is a dynamic defensive midfielder, he's seen in
front of the defence spreading passes around and offering an extra layer of protection in front of
goal.
Jean Makoun when he played for LilleAston Villa have signed Jean Makoun from Olympique Lyonnais for
about 6 million Pounsa. The Cameroon midfielder joins Villa in 19th position, and he should be able
to bring some solidity to the midfield. Makoun is a dynamic defensive midfielder, he's seen in
front of the defence spreading passes around and offering an extra layer of protection in front of
goal.
Jean Makoun when he played for LilleAston Villa have signed Jean Makoun from Olympique Lyonnais for
about 6 million Pounsa. The Cameroon midfielder joins Villa in 19th position, and he should be able
to bring some solidity to the midfield. Makoun is a dynamic defensive midfielder, he's seen in
front of the defence spreading passes around and offering an extra layer of protection in front of
goal.
Aston Villa have completed the signing of Jean Makoun from Lyon for a fee thought to be in the
region of €6m* possibly rising by a further €3m depending on performances. The 27 year old
brings a wealth of experience with almost 250 Ligue 1 appearance, more than
50 European appearances and 56 caps for Cameroon including four
African Nations Championships and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Aston Villa have completed the signing of Jean Makoun from Lyon for a fee thought to be in the
region of €6m* possibly rising by a further €3m depending on performances. The 27 year old
brings a wealth of experience with almost 250 Ligue 1 appearance, more than
50 European appearances and 56 caps for Cameroon including four
African Nations Championships and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Photo by ISIphotos.com
By AVI CREDITOR
Robbie Findley has had his European wish granted.
The former Real Salt Lake striker received his work permit on Friday, clearing the way for him
to join English League Championship side Nottingham Forest.
It's been an interesting, yet quiet week for me. I'm really not a fan of the transfer window
periods, there's so much nonsense being regurgitated. Some of it by people who don't know any
better, but mostly by people who know full well that they're peddling baseless speculation in
search of traffic.
