250-1 8 ASTON VILLA MANAGER [...].8 ASTON VILLA LAST SEASON Prem 6th FA Cup 5th rd Carling car·ling n. One of the short timbers running fore and aft that connect the transverse beams supporting the deck of a ship. [Middle English, from Old French calingue and from Old Norse Cup 3rd rd Uefa Cup Last 32BEST PRICE 250-1 Ashley Young Ashley Simon Young (born 9 July, 1985 in Stevenage, England) is an English professional footballer of Jamaican origin who currently plays as both a midfielder and a striker for Aston Villa. MANAGER Martin O'Neill from August 2006 MARTIN O'NEILL has led Aston Villa to successive sixth-placed finishes in the Premier League, but he faces a tough task maintaining their push for Europe this season. Gareth Barry Gareth Barry (born February 23, 1981 in Hastings, East Sussex), is an English footballer and captain of Aston Villa. He also plays for England. Along with former team-mate Gareth Southgate, he was the only player to play in both final matches at the old Wembley Stadium, once for has been sold to Manchester City and Zat Knight Zatyiah "Zat" Knight (born May 2 1980 in Solihull, West Midlands) is an English footballer currently playing for Aston Villa. He is a very imposing figure, standing at 6 feet 6 inches. has gone to Bolton, so a squad which lacked depth last season is short of two players, not to mention the devastating retirement of Martin Laursen. The Danish centre-back was Villa's captain and inspirational leader. Villa were third in the table (above eventual champions Manchester United) before Laursen's injury, with 41 points from 21 fixtures and seemingly on course to crack the top four. However, following the loss of Laursen they managed just 21 points in 17 outings as their dream of Champions League football ended with a horrendous run of two wins in 13. O'Neill's decision to field a weakened team for the Uefa Cup backfired spectacularly and some of his recent transfer business looks questionable at the very least. The signing of Emile Heskey proved to be a terrible mistake and there is potential for pounds 12m capture Stewart Downing to be an even bigger flop. What is the point of signing a player who is still on crutches and unlikely to play again until December? Even when the overrated Downing is fit he could struggle to get into the side as current left-winger Ashley Young is one of the few bright spots. The signing of youngster Fabian Delph is a step in the right direction, but it may not be enough for European football. . BEST XI Carew Milner A Young Delph n. 1. Delftware. Five nothings in five plates of delph. - Swift. 1. (Hydraul. Engin.) The drain on the land side of a sea embankment. Petrov Bouma L Young Davies Cuellar Friedel Agbonlahor TOP SCORER BETFRED BLUE SQ LADS POWER TOTE Carew 7-4 11-8 9-4 13-8 5-4 Agbonlahor 5-2 6-4 13-8 13-8 15-8 Young 6 6 6 6 11-2 Heskey 6 8 3 7-2 9-2 Milner 16 16 16 14 - Sidwell 12 12 25 - Petrov 20 -50 - - Win only Others on request MAJOR TRANSFERS IN Stewart Downing Middlesboro pounds 12m Fabian Delph Leeds Undisc. Courtney Cameron N'thampton Undisc. OUT Gareth Barry Man City pounds 12m Zat Knight Bolton Undisc. Stuart Taylor Man City Free Sam Williams Yeovil Free Martin Laursen Retired CAPTION(S): Ashley Young |
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