Ronaldo? No. But Agbonlahor can be as Important to Aston Villa as Bent
by Brendan McLoughlinFiled under: Aston Villa, Premier League, Football
Football supporters could have been forgiven for choking on their corn flakes upon opening their newspapers on Wednesday morning to find Aston Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov tipping Gabriel Agbonlahor to become the new Cristiano Ronaldo.
Agbonlahor, after all, is a striker who, at 24, has made just three appearances for England and managed only three goals in the Premier League last season.
Real Madrid's former Manchester United star Ronaldo, in contrast, has graced Old Trafford and The Bernabeu, won the Premier League, Champions League and FIFA World Player of the Year award.
Villa skipper Petrov said: "People talk about Cristiano Ronaldo but when you look at the assets of Gabby you can put him in the same bracket. Players are so scared of his pace. The game against Wigan was all about Gabby. He was brilliant.
"I don't think he's put in a better performance than that. I have always said to him - you don't know how good you are and the ability you have.
Tweeter Facebook FourSquare iPhone
"He can take this Premier League by storm. What he's got - not many people have that. He has the strength, the speed, he scores goals, he creates goals.
"I am trying [to give him encouragement]. We have players with unbelievable talent and we want them to show what they can do regularly and to enjoy it. Gabby is one of them. The club is so lucky to have a player like him."
Revitalised under Alex McLeish, Agbonlahor is a different player this season. No question.
He has already eclipsed last season's Premier League goals tally with four and on Saturday his performance against Wigan was nothing short of electric.
Few if any players possess his speed and that is one category he could most certainly match Ronaldo in.
Yet to label Agbonlahor merely a raw speed merchant is unfair. He is strong, his link-up play has improved immensely, he possesses a devilish delivery and, on recent evidence, there are few better finishers in the Premier League at present.
Alex McLeish’s "Love" Proves Gerard Houllier’s Hard-Line Stance was Wrong
by Brendan McLoughlinFiled under: Aston Villa, Premier League, Football
There was one line which stuck out this weekend when Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish faced the media following his team's victory over Wigan.
It concerned Gabriel Agbonlahor, however he could easily have been speaking about other members of his first-team squad like Stephen Warnock or Stephen Ireland.
"It was about getting a little bit of constructive information to him and also loving him," said McLeish. "He's a player whom when I got this job, my first task was 'how do I get him back in the team?'"
Unbeaten in their opening seven Premier League games, Villa have made a more than satisfactory start - even if McLeish admitted it could and probably should have been even better after losing leads to Newcastle and QPR in recent weeks.
McLeish still deserves immense credit, though. He has quickly united a squad which had been divided by Houllier's hard-line methods through some shrewd man-management.
Tweeter Facebook FourSquare iPhone
His biggest success, undoubtedly, has been Agbonlahor who is a player reborn.
Unlocking Agbonlahor's potential was a puzzle Houllier failed to solve yet, on Saturday's evidence, he and Darren Bent have the potential to be one of the Premier League's most potent partnerships: pace, power, predatory prowess - there is little they cannot do.
Already, he has four goals - more than his entire return in the Premier League last season - and, as a combination, he and Bent have managed six.
"We've tried to find ways of getting the two of them in. I wondered why it hadn't been a regular feature," said McLeish.
"Saturday definitely proved they can play together. Darren wins a lot of the aerial jousts, Gabby has that frightening pace. I've got a gem on my hands if I can keep improving him."
Bent too appears to enjoy playing alongside Agbonlahor. "There were people who said me and Gabby couldn't play together because we are too similar." he said. "But when you have someone with that kind of pace upfront it makes the job easier.
"Last season when I came I didn't really play with Gabby upfront, he played wide left. But it seems to be working well us together and hopefully it will continue. You could tell by the team shape last season we only played one striker at times and when we did play two it tended to be me and Emile Heskey which says a lot really.
"When you have someone with that kind of pace upfront it makes the job easier because he is always going to get past people and expose people with his pace. I don't think anyone in the league who could keep up with Gabby. He is up there with the quickest of them."
Agbonlahor might not have been one of the players to fall out with Houllier, but the Frenchman's inability to accommodate him was one of the biggest failings of his reign.
Aston Villa 2 Wigan 0: Agbonlahor and Bent on Target to Sink Sorry Latics
by Brendan McLoughlinFiled under: Aston Villa, Wigan, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Gabriel Agbonlahor and Darren Bent struck to hand Alex McLeish a second Premier League victory as Aston Villa manager and consign Wigan to a fifth successive defeat in all competitions.
Having been subjected to boos in their previous two home games, against Newcastle and Bolton, and blown the lead with a last-minute own goal at 10-man QPR last weekend, it was a vital victory for Villa and McLeish, who is still to win over some fans following his controversial summer arrival from rivals Birmingham.
Agbonlahor set them on their way with his fourth goal of the campaign shortly before half-time and then he turned provider for Bent, crossing for the fit-again forward to finish from close range.
THE GOALS:
36 mins: Agbonlahor cuts inside Gary Caldwell with ease before hammering a venomous shot into the roof of the net from 15 yards.
62 mins: Agbonlahor outpaces Emmerson Boyce before crossing deep to the unmarked Bent, who slots home for his second goal of the campaign.
Tweeter Facebook FourSquare iPhone
THE HIGHLIGHTS:
26 mins: Barry Bannan floats in an inviting delivery only for Bent to head over the crossbar.
42 mins: A sloppy pass from Fabian Delph leaves Wigan two on one, however Franco Di Santo's low drilled shot flies inches past the left post.
53 mins: Wigan should be awarded a penalty in the 53rd minute when Alan Hutton clumsily upended Di Santo inside the area.
54 mins: Ali Al Habsi is called into action again when he tipped Bannan's curling 25-yard strike over his crossbar.
66 mins: Bannan's clearance off the line denies Ben Watson an extraordinary goal from a corner.
Aston Villa v Wigan Preview: Victory the Order of the Day for Alex McLeish
by Brendan McLoughlinFiled under: Aston Villa, Wigan, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: VILLA PARK, SATURDAY OCTOBER 1, 2011, KICK-OFF: 1500 BST
It would have been Wigan manager Roberto Martinez in the home dugout at Villa Park had Aston Villa landed their first-choice replacement for Gerard Houllier.
Embarrassingly for a club of Villa's stature and size, however, the Spaniard elected to remain with the Latics and honour an agreement with chairman Dave Whelan.
Consequently, Villa controversially turned their attention to Alex McLeish and it is fair to say the Scot is yet to win over the doubters - despite his team being one of just four still unbeaten in the Premier League.
That statistic fails to tell the full story, however, with Villa having won only one of those six matches as well as exiting the Carling Cup at home to Bolton last week.
Further disappointment followed last weekend when a Richard Dunne own goal in added time denied them victory against 10-man QPR and that result has served to merely crank up the pressure heading into this clash.
Tweeter Facebook FourSquare iPhone
Following murmurings of discontent in their previous two home matches against Newcastle and the Trotters, victory is a must for McLeish to stay onside with the claret and blue masses.
Form guide: Villa are still to lose in the Premier League this season but, conversely, have won just once. Wigan have lost their last four matches - three of them coming in the Premier League.
Key match-up: Darren Bent v Gary Caldwell. Having questioned McLeish's tactics last week, the onus now falls on fit-again Bent to rediscover his goalscoring touch. By his own high standards it has been a poor start to the new campaign from the England forward, who has scored just once. He will, however, fancy his chances of scoring against a Wigan defence which has conceded 10 goals in their last four matches, and Caldwell can expect one of his toughest tests of the season.
Odds: Aston Villa 4-6, Draw 3-1, Wigan 5-1
ASTON VILLA: Villa manager McLeish has poured cold rumours on speculation linking miniature midfield maestro Barry Bannan with Manchester United.
The Scotland international has just been named Villa's player of the month for September and he is rumoured to be attracting the attention of the champions.
But McLeish said: "Let's not go overboard and put too much pressure on the kid with the Manchester United stuff and that.
"He will want to cement his place permanently in the Villa team before anything else.
"He did very well in the second half at QPR. Like everyone else he was afflicted with a lack of a touch and passing in the first half. All of a sudden he came alive in the second half... that is what he is capable of."
Strategy: Goals are the order of the day on Saturday - this is a match McLeish has to win - so expect the Villa manager to opt for an attack-minded line-up. The Scot is likely to be call on Bent, Emile Heskey and Jermaine Jenas for the clash and, given some lacklustre displays of late, all three could be drafted straight into the team in a 4-2-3-1 formation. It could mean, however, that Charles N'Zogbia fails to make the starting line-up against his former club.
Injury Update: Carlos Cuellar (knee) is back in training, however the game comes too soon for the Spanish defender. James Collins (ankle), Jenas (kicking strain), Bent (groin), Ciaran Clark (knee) and Heskey (hamstring) are all back in contention after injuries.
Aston Villa v Wigan Preview: Victory the Order of the Day for Alex McLeish
by Brendan McLoughlinFiled under: Aston Villa, Wigan, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: VILLA PARK, SATURDAY OCTOBER 1, 2011, KICK-OFF: 1500 BST
It would have been Wigan manager Roberto Martinez in the home dugout at Villa Park had Aston Villa landed their first-choice replacement for Gerard Houllier.
Embarrassingly for a club of Villa's stature and size, however, the Spaniard elected to remain with the Latics and honour an agreement with chairman Dave Whelan.
Consequently, Villa controversially turned their attention to Alex McLeish and it is fair to say the Scot is yet to win over the doubters - despite his team being one of just four still unbeaten in the Premier League.
That statistic fails to tell the full story, however, with Villa having won only one of those six matches as well as exiting the Carling Cup at home to Bolton last week.
Further disappointment followed last weekend when a Richard Dunne own goal in added time denied them victory against 10-man QPR and that result has served to merely crank up the pressure heading into this clash.
Tweeter Facebook FourSquare iPhone
Following murmurings of discontent in their previous two home matches against Newcastle and the Trotters, victory is a must for McLeish to stay onside with the claret and blue masses.
Form guide: Villa are still to lose in the Premier League this season but, conversely, have won just once. Wigan have lost their last four matches - three of them coming in the Premier League.
Key match-up: Darren Bent v Gary Caldwell. Having questioned McLeish's tactics last week, the onus now falls on fit-again Bent to rediscover his goalscoring touch. By his own high standards it has been a poor start to the new campaign from the England forward, who has scored just once. He will, however, fancy his chances of scoring against a Wigan defence which has conceded 10 goals in their last four matches, and Caldwell can expect one of his toughest tests of the season.
Odds: Aston Villa 4-6, Draw 3-1, Wigan 5-1
ASTON VILLA: Villa manager McLeish has poured cold rumours on speculation linking miniature midfield maestro Barry Bannan with Manchester United.
The Scotland international has just been named Villa's player of the month for September and he is rumoured to be attracting the attention of the champions.
But McLeish said: "Let's not go overboard and put too much pressure on the kid with the Manchester United stuff and that.
"He will want to cement his place permanently in the Villa team before anything else.
"He did very well in the second half at QPR. Like everyone else he was afflicted with a lack of a touch and passing in the first half. All of a sudden he came alive in the second half... that is what he is capable of."
Strategy: Goals are the order of the day on Saturday - this is a match McLeish has to win - so expect the Villa manager to opt for an attack-minded line-up. The Scot is likely to be call on Bent, Emile Heskey and Jermaine Jenas for the clash and, given some lacklustre displays of late, all three could be drafted straight into the team in a 4-2-3-1 formation. It could mean, however, that Charles N'Zogbia fails to make the starting line-up against his former club.
Injury Update: Carlos Cuellar (knee) is back in training, however the game comes too soon for the Spanish defender. James Collins (ankle), Jenas (kicking strain), Bent (groin), Ciaran Clark (knee) and Heskey (hamstring) are all back in contention after injuries.
Aston Villa v Wigan Preview: Victory the Order of the Day for Alex McLeish
by Brendan McLoughlinFiled under: Aston Villa, Wigan, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: VILLA PARK, SATURDAY OCTOBER 1, 2011, KICK-OFF: 1500 BST
It would have been Wigan manager Roberto Martinez in the home dugout at Villa Park had Aston Villa landed their first-choice replacement for Gerard Houllier.
Embarrassingly for a club of Villa's stature and size, however, the Spaniard elected to remain with the Latics and honour an agreement with chairman Dave Whelan.
Consequently, Villa controversially turned their attention to Alex McLeish and it is fair to say the Scot is yet to win over the doubters - despite his team being one of just four still unbeaten in the Premier League.
That statistic fails to tell the full story, however, with Villa having won only one of those six matches as well as exiting the Carling Cup at home to Bolton last week.
Further disappointment followed last weekend when a Richard Dunne own goal in added time denied them victory against 10-man QPR and that result has served to merely crank up the pressure heading into this clash.
Tweeter Facebook FourSquare iPhone
Following murmurings of discontent in their previous two home matches against Newcastle and the Trotters, victory is a must for McLeish to stay onside with the claret and blue masses.
Form guide: Villa are still to lose in the Premier League this season but, conversely, have won just once. Wigan have lost their last four matches - three of them coming in the Premier League.
Key match-up: Darren Bent v Gary Caldwell. Having questioned McLeish's tactics last week, the onus now falls on fit-again Bent to rediscover his goalscoring touch. By his own high standards it has been a poor start to the new campaign from the England forward, who has scored just once. He will, however, fancy his chances of scoring against a Wigan defence which has conceded 10 goals in their last four matches, and Caldwell can expect one of his toughest tests of the season.
Odds: Aston Villa 4-6, Draw 3-1, Wigan 5-1
ASTON VILLA: Villa manager McLeish has poured cold rumours on speculation linking miniature midfield maestro Barry Bannan with Manchester United.
The Scotland international has just been named Villa's player of the month for September and he is rumoured to be attracting the attention of the champions.
But McLeish said: "Let's not go overboard and put too much pressure on the kid with the Manchester United stuff and that.
"He will want to cement his place permanently in the Villa team before anything else.
"He did very well in the second half at QPR. Like everyone else he was afflicted with a lack of a touch and passing in the first half. All of a sudden he came alive in the second half... that is what he is capable of."
Strategy: Goals are the order of the day on Saturday - this is a match McLeish has to win - so expect the Villa manager to opt for an attack-minded line-up. The Scot is likely to be call on Bent, Emile Heskey and Jermaine Jenas for the clash and, given some lacklustre displays of late, all three could be drafted straight into the team in a 4-2-3-1 formation. It could mean, however, that Charles N'Zogbia fails to make the starting line-up against his former club.
Injury Update: Carlos Cuellar (knee) is back in training, however the game comes too soon for the Spanish defender. James Collins (ankle), Jenas (kicking strain), Bent (groin), Ciaran Clark (knee) and Heskey (hamstring) are all back in contention after injuries.
Why Richard Dunne’s Latest Own Goal was a Huge Setback for Aston Villa
by Brendan McLoughlinFiled under: Aston Villa, QPR, Premier League, Football
Nobody quite does own goals like Richard Dunne and the Aston Villa defender's latest addition to his collection was undoubtedly one of his most damaging.
Having seen QPR reduced to 10 men and with two of the five added minutes elapsed, Sunday's game should have been sewn up by the Villans.
But some sloppy defending allowed QPR to get in behind their back four and the Irishman, under pressure from Luke Young, could do little to avoid the ricochet off Stephen Warnock from Heidar Helguson's cross, handing the Londoners a 1-1 draw.
It was the ninth own goal of the Republic of Ireland international's career, putting him two ahead of Jamie Carragher in the all-time Premier League list.
Tweeter Facebook FourSquare iPhone
As a result, Villa were left to reflect on a fifth draw out of six Premier League matches and, although they remain unbeaten in the top flight this season, it has not been enough to win over the doubters who are yet to be convinced by McLeish's appointment.
Even when they led, it was chants of '1-0 to boring team' which reverberated around the away end at Loftus Road.
His team were fortunate to take the lead in another match in which they lacked ideas and inspiration, the excellent Barry Bannan having put them ahead from the spot following a generous penalty from referee Michael Oliver.
Instead, what some will argue was a scarely-deserved point will have felt like a defeat, the mood on the team bus heading home is certain to have been a gloomy one.
The Scot said: "I am gutted that we threw it away in the dying embers of the game after a second half performance which is much more what I expected from these players.
"The first half was pretty woeful and I let them know that at half-time.
"I thought we restricted QPR to only a few gilt-edge chances in the first half and defended well but the irony was that two of our best players - Richard Dunne and Stephen Warnock - ended up contributing to their equalising goal which both were involved in. I really felt for them."
An entertaining win over an abject Blackburn aside, nothing seems to have quite clicked for Villa and it is painfully clear the departures of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing have hit them hard.
Charles N'Zogbia had been expected to help fill that creative void but, up until now, the £9.5 million arrival has struggled for form.
QPR v Aston Villa: Alex McLeish Demands reaction After Bolton Defeat
by Ben HuntFiled under: Aston Villa, QPR, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: LOFTUS ROAD, SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1600 BST
It is probably fair to assume that Queens Park Rangers supporters are still in a daze after the opening weeks of the season.
As if returning to the top flight was not enough, they now have a new owner who is willing to invest. They also have plenty of new players who threaten to turn them from relegation candidates to mid-table contenders.
Following the signings made on transfer deadline day, the club's manager, Neil Warnock, saw them completely out-play Newcastle at Loftus Road.
While they had to settle for a 0-0 draw when they deserved better, they got their reward with an emphatic 3-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanders last weekend.
All in all, those events have eradicated the opening day 4-0 home defeat to Bolton from the memory.
While QPR have been riding a wave of excitement, Aston Villa by contrast have enjoyed a steady start to the campaign.
Their manager, Alex McLiesh, has overseen four draws and one victory this term to lift them into the top half of the table.
Villa were knocked out of the Carling Cup in midweek at the hands of Bolton, and McLeish will be looking for a reaction from this players.
Key Match-up: Joey Barton v Charles N'Zogbia. Barton will offer QPR a presence in midfield, even though he is likely to occupy a position wide on the right. He has made a excellent start to his career at Rangers and looked dangerous against Newcastle and scored against Wolves. His commitment is also something Villa's N'Zogbia possesses, however the difference being whether he chooses to show it. The left midfielder has played in fits and starts this term but can be devastating on his day.
Form Guide: QPR are on a role thanks to their win over Wolves and a point off Newcastle. They looked good valued in both games and will relish the challenge posed by Villa. McLeish's side have yet to hit top form but they are still getting results. QPR were the winners the last time Villa played at Loftus Road in 1995. Kevin Gallen was the scorer in Rangers' 1-0 win.
Odds: QPR 13-10 , Aston Villa 11-5, Draw 9-4
Tweeter Facebook FourSquare iPhone
Aston Villa v Bolton Preview: Stuart Holden’s Return Lifts Owen Coyle
by Brendan McLoughlinFiled under: Aston Villa, Bolton, Carling Cup, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
CARLING CUP: VILLA PARK, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1945 BST
While chalking up a Carling Cup victory this week might not figure particularly highly up some of their managerial counterparts' list of priorities, that is by no means the case for both Aston Villa's Alex McLeish and Bolton's Owen Coyle.
Villa might not have been beaten yet this season, yet they have won just one of their five Premier League matches and the final whistle at Saturday's 1-1 draw with Newcastle was greeted with boos from some sections of supporters.
That is nothing compared to the problems Coyle is facing up to, however, with the Trotters having failed to pick up a point since the opening day of the season - leaving them in the bottom three.
The latest disappointment came at home to Norwich on Saturday when the Trotters slumped to a shock 2-1 defeat to the newly-promoted Canaries, leaving Coyle under pressure and badly in need of a result.
Tweeter Facebook FourSquare iPhone
Achieving that goal will not be easy, however, with McLeish having made Villa tough to beat and, having won the competition with Birmingham last season, the Scot has already made it clear he is no mood to give up the trophy.
Key Match-Up: Gabriel Agbonlahor v Zat Knight. These two players are well acquainted with one another having played together at Villa and, on current evidence, Knight faces a daunting night against Agbonlahor, who is one of the form players in the division. The striker has already scored three times this season - equalling his entire return in the Premier League last term - and his electric pace has the potential to cause the Trotters rearguard major problems.
Form Guide: Villa have drawn four of their first five Premier League games and remain unbeaten, but the Trotters are on a dismal run of four straight league defeats.
Odds: Aston Villa 5/6, Bolton 7/2, Draw 13/5
ASTON VILLA:
Villa goalkeeper Shay Given believes a victory in the Carling Cup clash would help them build momentum in the league.
He said: "We were disappointed in the changing room after the Newcastle match because it felt like a loss.
"But we move on to Tuesday night and if we can get a win in the Cup it breeds confidence leading into the QPR game on Sunday."
The summer signing from Manchester City starred against his former Magpies employers on Saturday and admitted he is thrilled with his own form.
He added: "I am delighted. It is important to be playing more. I was extremely frustrated last season not to be playing more. I am just delighted to be back out there.
"Aston Villa is a great club and I am really happy to be here and to be playing football again."
Strategy: Villa's injury problems are likely to make McLeish's selection and tactical decisions more straightforward. The Villa manager switched to a 4-4-2 formation on Saturday from the 4-2-3-1 previously used but, following a disappointing display and with absentees in attack, he is likely to revert to the latter. Marc Albrighton and Stephen Ireland will almost certainly be beneficiaries.
Injury Update: Stiliyan Petrov (ankle), Stephen Warnock (hip) and Darren Bent (groin) are all doubts. Emile Heskey (hamstring) and Carlos Cuellar (knee) are definitely out, while loan signing Jermaine Jenas is battling to recover from a thigh problem as he awaits his debut. Ciaran Clark is also battling to recover in time.
BOLTON:
Coyle has not had too much to cheer lately but Stuart Holden's return to senior action could not be better timed.
United States midfielder Holden makes his first start since rupturing knee ligaments against Manchester United at Old Trafford in March.
Coyle admits Bolton have missed Holden's experience.
But he is wary of placing any extra pressure on the 25-year-old's shoulders.
Coyle said: "Stuart has obviously been out for a long time and this game gives him the opportunity to play against Premier League opponents.
"We all concede that we look a better team when he plays and agree that he was one of the top midfielders in the Premier League last season, but I don't want to place any extra burden on him.
"He has played two parts of a reserve game - against Fulham and Rochdale - and then he got through the full 90 minutes against Arsenal last week.
"There is no doubt he is getting stronger day by day and this tie we will get a really good idea of where his fitness levels are at."
Strategy: The likes of keeper Adam Bogdan and David Wheater are likely to get a rare run chance to impress ahead of Saturday's game at Arsenal. Coyle has made it clear that places are up for grabs for the weekend after a dreadful run of form. Whoever the manager fields, the team desperately requires a lift if only to appease fans after nine defeats in 10 league games.
Aston Villa 1 Newcastle 1: Honours Even as Best Cancels out Agbonlahor Strike
by Brendan McLoughlinFiled under: Aston Villa, Newcastle, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Newcastle striker Leon Best denied Gabriel Agbonlahor the plaudits on his 200th Aston Villa start to leave both sides with a share of the spoils and their unbeaten Premier League records intact.
In-form striker Agbonlahor had given Villa the lead with his third goal of the campaign with a low finish from inside the area after 13 minutes at Villa Park.
The Magpies were good value for a point, however, and a minute after Yohan Cabaye hit the crossbar, Best lashed in from close range to leave the Magpies with nine points from their first five games, two ahead of Villa.
And Cabaye almost snatched the points late on with a vicious volley which was saved superbly by Shay Given.
THE GOALS:
13 mins: Fabio Coloccini blocks Agbonlahor's volley from Barry Bannan's cross but the striker reacts quickest to squeeze a low shot underneath Tim Krul.
57 mins: Cheick Tiote deep cross to the back post finds Best and he taps in after his initial header is parried by Shay Given.
THE HIGHLIGHTS:
7 mins: Best releases Cabaye 25 yards from goal but his low drive swerves inches past the left post.
26 mins: Charles N'Zogbia sends Stiliyan Petrov clean through down the left, the Villa skipper unselfishly squares to the unmarked Darren Bent only for him to fire wide.
47 mins:
Agbonlahor outmuscles Taylor 15 yards from goal, however his low drilled shot creeps agonisingly beyond the right post.
56 mins:
Cabaye threatens again when he rattles the crossbar with a 25-yard drive.
71 mins: A Steven Taylor slip leaves Bent with just Krul to beat but the forward elects to lob the goalkeeper, allowing the defender time to recover.
Aston Villa v Newcastle Preview: Stiliyan Petrov Claims to Have Silenced Critics
by Brendan McLoughlinFiled under: Aston Villa, Newcastle, Premier League, Football, Match Previews, Team Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: VILLA PARK, SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 17 2011. KICK-OFF: 1500 BST
After such a traumatic 2011 thus far for both these proud clubs, not even their own supporters would have expected them to meet at this stage of the season both unbeaten and looking ahead with cautious optimism.
But Alex McLeish's controversial defection across the Second City already appears an afterthought after an impressive start to the campaign.
McLeish has released the shackles on his squad and blown away the negativity that afflicted them during the end of Gerard Houllier's tortured reign.
Villa also possess a spirit that was sadly lacking under the Frenchman's bewildering regime and McLeish's honeymoon period is still intact.
Newcastle also remain unbeaten and are among this season's surprise packages so far, their eight point tally pushing them up to fourth after their best start to a season for 15 years.
The North-East club were tipped to struggle after a summer lacking any significant signings, while several high profile players left. Despite that, they have silenced their doubters, largely due to an impressive defensive record which has seen them keep three clean sheets from four games.
Something has to give here, surely, as both clubs attempt to continue confounding expectations.
Tweeter Facebook FourSquare iPhone
Key Match-Up: Darren Bent v Steven Taylor. The onus is even more on Bent to deliver goals after the injury to Emile Heskey and his pace is certain to create problems for Taylor, who has impressed in a rock-solid Newcastle defence so far this term.
Form Guide: Villa have not lost a home game since the nightmare afternoon endured by Houllier in March when Wolves completed a 1-0 smash and grab. Newcastle fought out a brave 0-0 draw at QPR on Monday night but have not won at Villa Park since February 2006.
Odds: Villa 10/11 Newcastle 16/5 Draw 12/5
ASTON VILLA
Stiliyan Petrov produced a stunning strike at Goodison Park last weekend but is still on a mission to score more goals for McLeish.
The Bulgaria international only scored twice last term and is already halfway towards equalling that tally after his long-range effort against Everton.
Petrov was widely expected to be facing the axe under new boss McLeish but has impressed with his drive and commitment so far this season in a relatively new role.
But he wants to silence the critics who bemoan his lack of goals and ensure he is a mainstay in the Villa engine room.
He said: "I was delighted with the goal. I am criticised for not getting enough goals and against Everton I scored a good goal.
"There were a lot of people in front of me when I hit the shot so I wasn't sure it had even gone in.
"People have been on my back about it but it is normal to get people on your back if you don't score goals.
"But that is the way it goes and I hope this season I am able to prove them wrong. I have been moved into a position which is a bit more advanced and I've been given license to get forward."
Strategy: Heskey's injury is certain to force McLeish into a tactical reshuffle. A rigid 4-4-2 is certain to be removed, perhaps in favour of Bent playing in a lone striker role with Charles N'Zogbia and Marc Albrighton on the wings with Gabby Agbonlahor playing in the "hole" behind Bent.
Barry Bannan, so impressive against Liechtenstein for Scotland, might also get his first start of the season.
Injury Update: McLeish will aim to continue his unbeaten start without former England international Heskey, who is facing three weeks out with a hamstring injury. Jermaine Jenas, signed on loan from Tottenham, will miss out with a thigh injury and is pencilled in for a debut in the Carling Cup against Bolton on Tuesday. Carlos Cuellar is still weeks away from a return after a knee injury.
Don’t Rule out Asamoah Gyan Returning to Sunderland
by Jason MellorFiled under: Sunderland, Premier League, Football
To lose one record signing in a calendar year is unfortunate.
For two to leave in the space of seven months is the height of carelessness. Welcome to the anything but dull world of Sunderland Football Club.
First things first, the departure of Asamoah Gyan to play in the United Arab Emirates, in footballing terms at least, is no great shakes.
Certainly, it's nothing on the void left by Darren Bent's equally hasty and similarly unexpected exit to Aston Villa in January.
In a 12-month spell on Wearside where he has struggled for form and fitness, a modest return of 11 goals in 37 appearances suggests Gyan's departure, though ill-timed, is one from which Sunderland can move on. That's somewhat unlike the case with Bent, whose absence is one still being felt in the 'goals for' column.
Sunderland have plenty of things going for them. A fine stadium and training complex, an impressive fanbase and plenty of tradition and history.
But, just as the Bent affair proved, Gyan following him out of the door shows that in the grand scheme of things, the Black Cats are still some way down the pecking order in football's food chain.
For their inconvenience at least, they receive a loan fee approaching half the £13m they paid for the player just a year ago.
Tweeter Facebook FourSquare iPhone
Asking why the Ghana international should want to pursue his career in a footballing backwater more used to offering players at the end of their careers one last well-paid hurrah is akin to the loaded question Caroline Aherne's character Mrs Merton once asked the lovely Debbie McGee. What do you see in the millionaire Paul Daniels?
In Gyan's, case, according to reports, he saw a pay packet in the region of £120,000-a-week. Or more than three times the remuneration he received at the Stadium of Light, where he had been denied a pay rise despite requesting one soon after his arrival.
Everton 2 Aston Villa 2: Agbonlahor Earns Share of Points in Thrilling Draw
by Chris BreretonFiled under: Aston Villa, Everton, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Aston Villa twice fought back from a goal down to earn a barely deserved point at Goodison Park.
The home side were by the far the brighter and more attractive side but David Moyes's men could not kill Villa off and they were eventually punished for it.
Leon Osman gave Everton the lead following Tim Cahill's stunning pass left him unmarked and the home side appeared poised to score a hatful.
However, Stiliyan Petrov's brilliant long-range equaliser proved that Alex McLeish's side had some fight in them.
In a thrilling end to the game, Leighton Baines gave Everton the lead again from the penalty spot but Gabriel Agbonlahor then found a late equaliser to ensure the points were shared.
Tweeter Facebook FourSquare iPhone
THE GOALS:
19 mins - Osman slots past Shay Given for a brilliantly simple opener for the home side.
63 mins - Petrov lets fly from 30 yards and beats Tim Howard with a stunning strike.
68 mins - Fabian Delph fouls Phil Jagielka in the area and Baines converts from 12 yards.
83 mins - Agbonlahor is left unmarked in the Everton box and he punishes the home side with a clinical header.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
7 mins - Jagielka has a header cleared off the line by Darren Bent.
8 mins - Osman's close range shot is well saved by Given.
33 mins - An Osman shot looks to be heading for the bottom corner until Given gets across to block.
34 mins - Marouane Fellaini fires over from 25 yards.
41 mins - A Jack Rodwell effort takes a huge deflection and just goes wide with Given stranded.
51 mins - Baines is tripped in the box by Barry Bannan but the furious claims for a penalty are waved away.
60 mins - Jagielka should score from just six yards out but heads over the crossbar.
74 mins - Cahill has an effort from 12 yards blocked.
WHAT IT MEANS:
Everton will be gutted that they did not manage to hold on while Villa will know they got away with murder on Merseyside.
Everton v Aston Villa Preview: Pressure Builds on Toffees Owner Bill Kenwright
by John PercyFiled under: Aston Villa, Everton, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE, GOODISON PARK, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1500 BST
Everton will welcome Aston Villa to Goodison Park yet all eyes will be on what happens off the pitch.
Fans' group The Blue Union are planning a protest march ahead of the encounter to underline to Everton owner Bill Kewnright just how unhappy they are with the status quo.
£485 million was spent in the summer transfer window - but not one penny of that was spent by David Moyes after another barren and unproductive close season.
Everton's fans have had enough of the situation and are planning an uncomfortable afternoon for Kenwright while Alex McLeish will be planning something similar.
Tweeter Facebook FourSquare iPhone
However, Everton won a fortnight ago against Blackburn Rovers to show that although there is precious little optimism surrounding the club, Moyes can still get the best out of his squad of players.
Key Match-Up: Phil Jagielka v Darren Bent. These England colleagues will produce some serious fireworks on Saturday. Jagielka is one of the best defenders in the Premier League while Bent was red-hot last season. Expect a titanic tussle.
Form Guide: Everton have won one and lost one this season while Villa have won one and drawn their other two games.
Odds: Everton 9/4, Villa 3/1, Draw 6/1
EVERTON:
Everton's chief executive Robert Elstone has felt compelled to go public on Everton's desire to find new owners in a bid to down the growing unrest among the club's fans.
Kenwright has gone from a local-boy-done-good to a pariah with an increasing number of the club's supporters and the stand-off between the two groups could become more fractious unless resolved quickly.
And Elstone has done his best to dampen down the discontent by again repeating that Everton is for sale - it is simply that no one wishes to buy it.
He said: "Everton Football Club is for sale, despite accusations to the contrary.
"This has been the case for three years and it will remain the case until such time as someone is found with the finances capable of ensuring we can compete at the very highest level of the game both at home and in Europe.
"Whilst the club is for sale, we have also overseen substantial and tangible progress in the last five years both on and off the pitch. We have signed record sponsorship deals, and hugely increased our income alongside achieving an average league position of sixth.
"In terms of the number of games played, it has also been the most prolific period of European football in the club's history and we have invested in building our best squad of players since the mid-1980s."
Strategy: With Mikel Arteta now a distant memory, Moyes will need Jack Rodwell and Tim Cahill to come to the fore while new boys Royston Drenthe and Denis Stracqualursi are both likely to start and will be eager to make a good impression.
Injury Update: Seamus Coleman (ankle) and Leighton Baines (hamstring) are both major doubts.
Celtic to Move For Diawara if Georgios Samaras Can Be Sold to Sunderland
by Graham ChaseFiled under: Sunderland, Premier League, Football, Scotland
Neil Lennon is reportedly targeting Maritimo's Papa Babacar Diawara to boost his striking options before the transfer deadline closes and he will be praying that Georgios Samaras can be offloaded to Sunderland.
It could be argued that Lennon has more attacking options than Rangers but lacks a clear first-choice pairing so the move for Diawara, who will reportedly cost £4 million and scored 11 goals in the Portuguese league last season, makes sense.
Maritimo claim that fee has been agreed for the Senegal striker, 23, with president Carlos Pereira telling the Daily Record: "I don't want to talk about the financial details but I've spoken with Celtic and everything is OK.
"There is an agreement and I'm happy. I also believe Celtic are happy."
Tweeter Facebook FourSquare iPhone
Celtic have also reportedly been tracking AIK striker Mohamed Bangura but it is claimed that any move for a new striker will have to be funded by outgoings.
And that will mean relying on Sunderland firming up their frankly bizarre link with former Manchester City forward Samaras.