History will be kind to me because I intend to write it

WE ARE NOT SCARED OF VILLA - ZHIRKOV

Yuri Zhirkov, CSKA Moscow's coveted playmaker, has claimed the Russian side are not afraid of Premier League high-fliers Aston Villa, who many are backing to win the UEFA Cup.

Left-footer Zhirkov, who was wanted by Juventus in the recent transfer window, believes that if CSKA are going to win the UEFA Cup then it makes little difference whether they face Villa now, in the last 32, or later.

The 25-year-old Russian international, whose club became the first Russian side to win a European trophy when they took home the UEFA Cup in 2005, said: "Aston Villa are a good team with strong players - I know almost all of them, since they are so well-known.

"Why should we be afraid of them? If you are frightened, you lose the match far before the first whistle.

"I don't care at all which team are our opponents in the UEFA Cup. CSKA set the highest goals in all competitions, which means we must be ready to fight any team.

"If we have been pitted against one of the UEFA Cup favourites now, it means that we should defeat them now. I am sure that we will try our hardest to knock out Aston Villa."

For CSKA, Wednesday's clash at Villa Park will be their first competitive game since their domestic season ended before the winter - something that Zhirkov is relieved about.

He said: "I am looking forward to the first official match of the season, because it will mark the end of our pre-season preparations. This year I was tired of our training since the first day, because I couldn't spend any time with my wife and my little son.

"But I am professional and I feel that we have a good team that is capable of achieving great success."

Labels: Aston Villa, CSKA Moscow, UEFA Cup, Yuri Zuirkov

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:23 pm | Permalink | Comments

VAGNER FEELING THE LOVE FOR VILLA

CSKA Moscow striker Vagner Love says Aston Villa have been a "revelation" this season as he prepares to face Martin O'Neill's men in the UEFA Cup on Wednesday.

The Brazilian striker hopes CSKA can emulate rivals Zenit St Petersburg, who won the UEFA Cup last year.

But he admits that Villa's form so far this season makes them a difficult proposition in the last 32 clash.

"The match against Aston Villa is not easy," said Love, who has won 21 caps for Brazil. "They are the revelation of this season's Premier League.

"This round of the UEFA Cup will be hard for us against Villa, but I am optimistic and believe that the second leg in Moscow will be very important for us.

"We have a great team at CSKA and we dream of winning the UEFA Cup this year - that is our goal."

CSKA are about to start their domestic season after a long winter break. But Love believes that they will be sharp and ready for their game against Villa, who are third in the Premier League.

"I do not think the break in the winter affect us too much," he continued. "This team is very professional and has responded positively when we have had to play early in the season in previous years.

"The key for us is to score at least one goal in Birmingham."

And Love, who almost moved to Tottenham in the January transfer window, has said that he in not interested in putting himself in the shop window for the summer by playing well against Premier League opposition.

He added: "I have nothing to prove in this round. It is true that there have been rumours about English clubs being interested in me, but I am in Moscow at the moment."

Labels: Aston Villa, CSKA Moscow, UEFA Cup, Vagner Love

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:22 pm | Permalink | Comments

COLE DISAPPOINTED WITH FIRST LEAGUE LOSS FOR ZOLA

Robert Green was culpable for all three of Bolton’s goals in their 3-1 win on Sunday at Upton Park, but manager Gianfranco Zola refused to make his goalkeeper a scapegoat.

It was the Italian’s first taste of defeat in the Premier League, but he backed Green to come back stronger, labelling him a “great goalkeeper”.

After half an hour, in a rare Bolton attack, the 28-year-old dropped a cross at the feet of Kevin Davies for the opening goal.

And he should have done better four minutes later but could only steer Gretar Rafn Steinsson’s drive into the path of onrushing defender Gary Cahill, who netted his first goal since his £5m summer move from Aston Villa.

Though Carlton Cole pulled a goal back for the home side after the interval, Matty Taylor’s quickly-taken free-kick, which made Green blush again, sealed the result with four minutes remaining. The Hammers have not managed to keep a clean sheet in their past 20 games, dating back to February.

Zola said of Green: “He is a great goalkeeper – he has all my trust, all of the team's trust. Everyone believes in him. It has been a bad day, but I am sure next game he is going to save two penalties – football is like that.”

Striker Cole, who, unlike Green, was not called up to the England squad, believes that the international break will be a good opportunity for the team to dispel the stench of disappointment in the dressing room before they travel to Hull on October 19.

“The boys are very disappointed and the atmosphere is very subdued,” Cole, 24, said. “We just want to be positive now until the next game.

“We know what we have to do to improve – it is not always rosy in the Premier League and we need to battle on and get our next win under our belts. We will bounce back and it will be a good two weeks for us to clear our heads and get focussed on the Hull game.”

Labels: Aston Villa, Bolton, Carlton Cole, Gianfranco Zola, Premier League, Robert Green

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 9:30 pm | Permalink | Comments

DERBY CORNER QPR IN LOFTUS LATE SHOW

Queens Park Rangers' 100 per cent home record was ended as Paul Jewell's Derby County earned their first away win in the league for 18 months thanks to two goals from corners in the last ten minutes. Defender Martin Albrechtsen struck home the first from eight yards when the ball rebounded kindly for him and eight minutes later substitute Emanuel Villa nodded in to ensure the result.

The travelling side, relegated so unceremoniously from the Premier League last season, have now earned eight points from their last four Championship games and look to be finally getting over their relegation hangover.

Iain Dowie's side had been in great form going into the game, having claimed the unlikely scalp of Aston Villa in the Carling Cup Third Round in midweek - a victory that has earned them a fixture against Premier League champions Manchester United at Old Trafford in mid November. But they were brought back down to earth with a bump after failing to deal with set pieces late a match that only took light in the second half.

The first 20 minutes were played at a high tempo without either team managing to engineer a clear-cut chance. QPR's solitary striker Dexter Blackstock, who had been rested for Wednesday's shock Carling Cup Third Round win at Villa Park, had few chances to test Roy Carroll in the visitors' goal.

But when he first did, after 22 minutes, Carroll's defence came to the rescue. Real Madrid loanee Daniel Parejo sprung the Derby offside trip on the right-hand side of the area, having been cleverly found by Emannuel Ledesma. The borrowed Genoa youngster squared to Blackstock, who slid in for what looked like a certain goal.

But Derby right-back Paul Connelly had other ideas and, having tracked back, managed to put his body between Blackstock and the goal-line. His goalkeeper thanked him with a ruffle of his hair.

Derby had their best chance of the half five minutes later, when full-back Jordan Stewart fed Stephen Pearson on the left wing and he hit a low cross towards attacker Rob Hulse, who could not quite step round the onrushing home goalkeeper Radek Cerny. Hulse's toe-poke was first blocked by the former Tottenham stopper and then booted out for a corner.

After the interval the game opened up more and both sides had good chances to score. Two minutes into the half, tricky Italian Ledesma weaved his way into the box on the right. His deflected shot had Carroll scrambling back across his goal, but it found the post and bounced behind. From the resulting corner the 20-year-old flashed a shot over the bar, and two minutes later he tried to chip Carroll but dragged it wide right.

Blackstock then hit a post when he cleverly turned his marker from six-yards out, but the away team soon hit back in this ding-dong battle. On 62 minutes Hulse should have scored when put clean though but he was brilliantly tackled by Damion Stewart.

Defender Miles Addison shaved Cerny's cross bar with a 35 yard screamer and winger Nacer Barazite, on loan from Arsenal, then blazed over from Jewell's side. But it was his corner from the left, with 10 minutes remaining that found its way to Albrechtsen, who cooly finished. Substitute Steven Davies then swung a corner in from the same position and Villa's header was too good for Cerny.

Labels: Aston Villa, Championship, Derby County, Iain Dowie, Queens Park Rangers

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 5:49 pm | Permalink | Comments

DOWIE TAKES ON MENTOR O'NEILL AND "CREAM OF BRITISH TALENT"

QPR managerIain Dowie will put friendship to one side on Wednesday when he attempts to defeat his mentor, Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa in the Carling Cup. The former Northern Ireland internationals became good pals two years ago, while at the World Cup in Germany.

And elder statesman O'Neill, who made 64 appearances for his country, has offered advice and hot drinks to 59-cap Dowie in his fledgling management career. The 43-year-old Dowie said: "Martin and I spent a lot of time together at the World Cup in Germany and we got to know each other very well and are good friends.

"I always keep track of him and of course there is the Northern Ireland connection too. I've been for a cup of tea in his office a few times. He is a very busy man but he has been very helpful."

Dowie, who scored in the 1994/95 FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park to force Manchester United to a replay against Crystal Palace, is envious of the firepower his opposite man can call upon, but tips his hat for O'Neill, 56, for building a young, British side. "Martin has put Gabriel Agbonlahor in, and bought in other English youngsters Nigel Reo-Coker, Ashley Young, Luke Young, Curtis Davies and Nicky Shorey," continued the former Coventry manager.

"They are all good young players and in Martin Laursen, Gareth Barry, John Carew, Brad Friedel and Stiliyan Petrov he has some experienced players too. Martin's side have a very good balance and it is refreshing what he is doing in regards to selecting young Englishmen, when these days teams are packed with foreigners.

"In Ashley Young, one of the best natural wingers in the game, and Agbonlahor you have the cream of British talent. I went to watch them on Sunday against West Bromwich and they were a real potent attacking threat. I don't think I need to get my players up for it. If you are not up for playing against the best young British players in the country then you should not be in the game."

On the prospect of QPR, who sit fourth in the Championship, progressing to the fourth round of the Carling Cup, Dowie added: "We have a very pacy defence but it is difficult when Agbonlahor drops off and even if you hold a high line he can get behind you. And John Carew is a big part of his game and a good foil for him, so we will have to be on our game.

"Martin has a history of wanting to do well in this tournament and we will be very strong. Will not shut up shop at Villa Park either, so it should be an interesting game."

Labels: Aston Villa, Carling Cup, Iain Dowie, Martin O'Neilll, Queens Park Rangers

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 4:28 pm | Permalink | Comments

BULLARD BACKS HODGSON

Jimmy Bullard insists Roy Hodgson is “a different class” and the perfect manager to ensure Fulham retain their Premier League status. But he has warned Hodgson’s seven new signings there is no time for them to settle – they must be ready for a “dogfight”.

Fulham came from behind to win 2-1 against Aston Villa at Craven Cottage on Sunday, and Bullard’s late 25-yard free-kick earned Hodgson his first victory for the club, though his team remain second bottom in the table.

The tousled midfielder, who had not scored for 16 months after sustaining a career-threatening knee injury, was delighted that Fulham recorded their first maximum in 12 league games.

“It’s brilliant for Roy to get his first win," Bullard beamed. "He knows what we need to do to survive – he is the best manager I have ever played under.

“Roy's experience is second to none and he is a brilliant man-manager – he's a different class.

“We are in a dogfight, right to the last game – the gaffer drums it into us week in, week out."

The former Finland head coach spent £9m in the January transfer window and the new signings need to settle immediately, thinks Bullard.

He continued: “There is no time for the new guys to bed in or gel – our next game is massive and we need three points. The boys who have come in have got to roll their sleeves up and do the job.”

Labels: Aston Villa, football, Fulham, Jimmy Bullard, Premier League

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:08 am | Permalink | Comments

FULHAM NOTCH FIRST WIN FOR HODGSON AGAINST VILLA

Roy Hodgson’s revolution is starting to gather pace at Craven Cottage, and the spirited 2-1 victory against Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa was evidence enough that there is fight left in Fulham to survive relegation yet. Jimmy Bullard’s 25-yard free kick with only four minutes remaining rightfully earned Hodgson’s team their first win the Premier League in 12 attempts.

For their visitors, now flush with England squad members, the disappointment of the defeat – only their second on their travels this campaign – was compounded by an injury to Gabriel Agbonlahor, who limped off with hamstring trouble at the interval. The young forward now looks certain to miss England’s friendly game against Switzerland, and an opportunity to make his international bow.

Not that Hodgson will care – his team looked up for the contest from the off, and kept their heads up even when Villa took the lead with 20 minutes remaining. Norwegian international Erik Nevland, on his debut, toiled alone in attack in Hodgson’s 4-5-1 formation and the home side enjoyed the lion’s share of the first-half possession without ever looking like scoring. Villa sat back, soaked up the pressure and allowed Fulham to come at them.

Ironically, it was only after the goal, conceded in the 69th minute, that the Fulham players really took the game by the scruff. Captain Aaron Hughes, against the club he played for last season, nudged the ball into his own net after Shaun Maloney’s corner, much to his embarrassment.

Within four minutes Fulham had equalised through Welsh winger Simon Davies. He stole in front of England hopeful Curtis Davis to flick Bullard’s cross past Scott Carson.

A sense of belief lifted the home side, and when Davis felled substitute Diomansy Kamara on 85 minutes, there was only one man who was going to take the kick.

Bullard stepped up and hit his shot over the wall and through Carson, who should have done better. Fulham still remain second from bottom in the table, but things are looking up for Hodgson’s team.

With his first win now secured, and new players to come in, Hodgson will be happy. Club captain Brian McBride, who has not featured since August, entered the fray as a second half substitute, much to the delight of the home supporters. But after his late heroics against Villa, the new Craven Cottage favourite is tousled, impish midfielder Bullard.

Labels: Aston Villa, Fulham, Premier League, Roy Hodgson

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 8:56 pm | Permalink | Comments

FA CUP THIRD ROUND PREVIEW: ASTON VILLA V MANCHESTER UNITED

The Third Round of the FA Cup always throws up a few surprises, however Manchester United’s tie against fellow Premier League high-flyers Aston Villa is, by pure coincidence, the fourth time in only seven years that the sides have met at this stage.

Last season saw the now-retired Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hit an injury-time winner at Old Trafford in a 2-1 victory for Sir Alex Ferguson’s team. Wunderkind Wayne Rooney is hopeful that he can reproduce his goalscoring feats against Martin O’Neill’s side - as witnessed in the league fixture in October.

The England international scored a brace in United’s 4-1 win at Villa Park, in what he describes as one of his best games for the Reds to date. And he is hoping to replicate that at the same ground on Saturday.

The United No10 has netted 10 times this season, but reckons he will make it more against Villa. He said: "My goal against Arsenal was probably my favourite so far, but other than that I'd say it was my second goal against Aston Villa at Villa Park.

"It was a good move, a nice ball from (Carlos) Tevez and I managed to slot it home."

Tevez is a doubt for Ferguson, as he sustained an ankle injury in the 1-0 win over Birmingham. O’Neill has a full squad to select from, aside from forward John Carew.

If history is anything to go by, things don’t look to good for the former Celtic manager: United have won at Villa Park in their last three FA Cup visits. And it is a ground that Rooney loves.

The 22-year-old forward scored five times in the FA Cup last year, including two in the semi-final victory over Watford at - you guessed it - Villa Park. Rooney’s new role - in a more advanced position - has been a boon to United’s attacking play; and the former Everton man is relishing his role.

He added: “I’ve played further up front rather than in behind a main striker.

“I’ve enjoyed that role more as I seem to get more chances. Hopefully that means I’ll end up with more goals.”

Labels: Aston Villa, FA Cup, Manchester United, Martin O'Neilll, Sir Alex Ferguson, Wayne Rooney

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 4:16 pm | Permalink | Comments

Eurosport: Wednesday 20 September

League Cup games

Villa beat Scunthorpe

Chesterfield shock Manchester City

Labels: Aston Villa, Chesterfield, football, League Cup, Manchester City, Scunthorpe

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:18 am | Permalink | Comments