Aston Villa striker Darren Bent showed why his £18million transfer fee could prove money well spent with the winner against title-chasing Manchester City at Villa Park.
The former Sunderland player, who joined Villa on Tuesday in a club-record deal, broke the deadlock with his first clear-cut opportunity after 18 minutes.
With their £59million strike force of Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko, the visitors dominated for long spells but struggled to find a way past Villa's rock-solid defence in which James Collins and former City centre-back Richard Dunne were outstanding.
And the result means City are now three points behind Premier League leaders Manchester United and have played two games more.
EPL Today
Showing posts with label aston villa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aston villa. Show all posts
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Panic by Aston Villa
In what is turning into a complete desperation move, the fee in the end for former Sunderland striker Darren Bent will be in the range of 40 million pounds.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Bent seals Aston Villa switch
New Aston Villa striker Darren Bent said he can't way to play for "a massive football club" after completing his transfer from Sunderland on Tuesday.
Bent will be officially unveiled as a Villa player at 1900 GMT following his move from the Stadium of Light for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of £24 million including add-ons..
The former Tottenham and Charlton frontman has signed a four-and-a-half year deal with Villa and becomes Gerard Houllier's second January signing after Jean Makoun, who arrived from Lyon for £6 million last week.
Bent completed a medical and agreed personal terms and will be available to make his Villa debut against Manchester City on Saturday at Villa Park.
Bent will be officially unveiled as a Villa player at 1900 GMT following his move from the Stadium of Light for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of £24 million including add-ons..
The former Tottenham and Charlton frontman has signed a four-and-a-half year deal with Villa and becomes Gerard Houllier's second January signing after Jean Makoun, who arrived from Lyon for £6 million last week.
Bent completed a medical and agreed personal terms and will be available to make his Villa debut against Manchester City on Saturday at Villa Park.
Bent to Villa
In what may be the most shocking of all transfers, Darren Bent is negotiating with Aston Villa to leave Sunderlands and become the point man at Villa.
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has confirmed to ESPNsoccernet that Darren Bent is holding transfer negotiations with Aston Villa after the relegation strugglers had a bid, believed to be £18million, accepted. Bruce said: "I'm disappointed but that's the way it is."
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has confirmed to ESPNsoccernet that Darren Bent is holding transfer negotiations with Aston Villa after the relegation strugglers had a bid, believed to be £18million, accepted. Bruce said: "I'm disappointed but that's the way it is."
Monday, January 17, 2011
Villa may get Jamacian injection on loan
BIRMINGHAM, England -- Colorado Rapids striker Omar Cummings could join Premier League club Aston Villa on a short loan from Major League Soccer.
The 28-year-old Jamaican has been on a tryout at Villa, and manager Gerard Houllier says he is "getting better and better with every training session."
Houllier says he will "will make a decision about him soon. It will be a loan deal and we would need a work permit."
Cummings' MLS season is scheduled to start March 19 at home against the Portland Timbers.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
The 28-year-old Jamaican has been on a tryout at Villa, and manager Gerard Houllier says he is "getting better and better with every training session."
Houllier says he will "will make a decision about him soon. It will be a loan deal and we would need a work permit."
Cummings' MLS season is scheduled to start March 19 at home against the Portland Timbers.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Birmingham 1-1 Aston Villa
James Collins rescued a precious point for Aston Villa in a pulsating relegation clash with locals rivals Birmingham at St. Andrew's.
Blues defender Roger Johnson put Alex McLeish's side in front early in the second period. But Collins made no mistake from close range to salvage a share of the spoils for Villa.
Villa dominated the opening phase and final part of the game and hit the woodwork on three occasions. However, Birmingham also squandered several clear-cut opportunities.
Blues had defeated Villa in the Carling Cup quarter-final last month but Collins' point-saver means they have not beaten their rivals in a league game for nearly six years.
Villa made a positive start, with Stewart Downing playing just behind John Carew in a 4-1-4-1 formation, and could have taken the lead inside the first minute. Downing put Blues keeper Ben Foster under pressure and his clearance went straight to Gabriel Agbonlahor. He cut into the box unopposed but from 12 yards out fired over the bar.
Blues defender Roger Johnson put Alex McLeish's side in front early in the second period. But Collins made no mistake from close range to salvage a share of the spoils for Villa.
Villa dominated the opening phase and final part of the game and hit the woodwork on three occasions. However, Birmingham also squandered several clear-cut opportunities.
Blues had defeated Villa in the Carling Cup quarter-final last month but Collins' point-saver means they have not beaten their rivals in a league game for nearly six years.
Villa made a positive start, with Stewart Downing playing just behind John Carew in a 4-1-4-1 formation, and could have taken the lead inside the first minute. Downing put Blues keeper Ben Foster under pressure and his clearance went straight to Gabriel Agbonlahor. He cut into the box unopposed but from 12 yards out fired over the bar.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Herd commits to Villa
The versatile 21-year-old, who can play in central midfield or at full-back, has committed himself to Villa until the summer of 2014.
Herd, who made his Premier League debut against Manchester United earlier this season, becomes the latest Villa academy product to put pen to paper on a new deal after Marc Albrighton, Barry Bannan, Ciaran Clark, Jonathan Hogg and Gary Gardner.
Perth-born Herd, who arrived at Villa as a 15-year-old, was included in Australia's squad for the current Asian Cup, although he did not make the final line-up.
The youngster, who scored a hat-trick for the reserves in a 10-1 win over Arsenal on Monday, said: "When I got offered the contract, it wasn't a difficult decision to make at all.
Herd, who made his Premier League debut against Manchester United earlier this season, becomes the latest Villa academy product to put pen to paper on a new deal after Marc Albrighton, Barry Bannan, Ciaran Clark, Jonathan Hogg and Gary Gardner.
Perth-born Herd, who arrived at Villa as a 15-year-old, was included in Australia's squad for the current Asian Cup, although he did not make the final line-up.
The youngster, who scored a hat-trick for the reserves in a 10-1 win over Arsenal on Monday, said: "When I got offered the contract, it wasn't a difficult decision to make at all.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Sunderland 1-0 Aston Villa
Aston Villa dropped into the bottom three of the Premier League for the first time in seven years as their former loan signing Phil Bardsley earned Sunderland victory at Villa Park.
Gerard Houllier's side slipped into the relegation zone on goal difference as a result of Wolves' shock victory over champions Chelsea at Molineux.
Villa had striker Emile Heskey sent off for violent conduct before Bardsley's decider and then Black Cats substitute Boudewijn Zenden was given his marching orders for two bookable offences.
A small section of Villa fans chanted "you are going to get sacked in the morning'' towards Houllier after Bardsley had broken the deadlock.
But the calls for Houllier to go were more intensified at the final whistle.
Gerard Houllier's side slipped into the relegation zone on goal difference as a result of Wolves' shock victory over champions Chelsea at Molineux.
Villa had striker Emile Heskey sent off for violent conduct before Bardsley's decider and then Black Cats substitute Boudewijn Zenden was given his marching orders for two bookable offences.
A small section of Villa fans chanted "you are going to get sacked in the morning'' towards Houllier after Bardsley had broken the deadlock.
But the calls for Houllier to go were more intensified at the final whistle.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Chelsea 3-3 Aston Villa
Chelsea's amazing late fightback was in vain as Aston Villa scored a stoppage-time equaliser to leave the champions' Premier League title defence in considerable doubt.
Didier Drogba and John Terry looked to have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with goals in the final six minutes at Stamford Bridge but the hosts' poor defending cost them when Ciaran Clark nodded home a late equaliser.
Both sides had held the lead in an exciting game, with Frank Lampard's penalty cancelled out by Ashley Young's spot-kick and Emile Heskey's header giving Villa the lead.
The result left Chelsea marooned in fifth place, six points behind Manchester United having played a game more, and crucially outside the Champions League places.
Didier Drogba and John Terry looked to have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with goals in the final six minutes at Stamford Bridge but the hosts' poor defending cost them when Ciaran Clark nodded home a late equaliser.
Both sides had held the lead in an exciting game, with Frank Lampard's penalty cancelled out by Ashley Young's spot-kick and Emile Heskey's header giving Villa the lead.
The result left Chelsea marooned in fifth place, six points behind Manchester United having played a game more, and crucially outside the Champions League places.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Guzan to Hull for a month
Associated Press
HULL, England -- American goalkeeper Brad Guzan has joined the second-tier English team Hull on a one-month loan.
Guzan is under contract to the Premier League club Aston Villa but has been unable to oust fellow American Brad Friedel from the starting lineup.
Guzan could debut for Hull in a League Championship match against Leicester on Saturday.
Guzan joined Villa from Chivas USA in August 2008. His only Premier League appearance came as a 64th-minute substitute against Liverpool in March 2009.
Guzan entered after Friedel had been sent off for allowing a penalty kick to be called. Liverpool beat Guzan on the kick to complete a 5-0 victory.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
HULL, England -- American goalkeeper Brad Guzan has joined the second-tier English team Hull on a one-month loan.
Guzan is under contract to the Premier League club Aston Villa but has been unable to oust fellow American Brad Friedel from the starting lineup.
Guzan could debut for Hull in a League Championship match against Leicester on Saturday.
Guzan joined Villa from Chivas USA in August 2008. His only Premier League appearance came as a 64th-minute substitute against Liverpool in March 2009.
Guzan entered after Friedel had been sent off for allowing a penalty kick to be called. Liverpool beat Guzan on the kick to complete a 5-0 victory.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Manchester City 4-0 Aston Villa
Mario Balotelli hit the headlines for all the right reasons as his first Manchester City hat-trick helped the Blues to a 4-0 win against Aston Villa and top spot in the Premier League.
With Carlos Tevez rested, the 20-year-old strode confidently onto centre-stage, exhibiting audacious self-belief to score two penalties, either side of a three-yard tap-in which took his City tally to an impressive eight goals in 11 appearances.
On a dank Manchester day, the half-time whistle brought jubilation for the home fans, who were already certain of their fate and total despair for the visiting contingent. Three wins from 13 matches for Gerard Houllier prior to this debacle could partly be explained away by the chronic injury-list the Frenchman has had to contend with.
With Carlos Tevez rested, the 20-year-old strode confidently onto centre-stage, exhibiting audacious self-belief to score two penalties, either side of a three-yard tap-in which took his City tally to an impressive eight goals in 11 appearances.
On a dank Manchester day, the half-time whistle brought jubilation for the home fans, who were already certain of their fate and total despair for the visiting contingent. Three wins from 13 matches for Gerard Houllier prior to this debacle could partly be explained away by the chronic injury-list the Frenchman has had to contend with.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Tottenham 2-1 Aston Villa
Tottenham's talismanic midfielder Rafael van der Vaart ensured manager Harry Redknapp maintained his hoodoo over Aston Villa.
Despite a 27th-minute straight red card for Jermain Defoe, the Dutch midfielder scored either side of that to take his tally to double figures for the season, with Spurs unbeaten in each of the eight games in which he has scored.
Although Marc Albrighton pulled one back eight minutes from time, it was not enough to spare the home side, with Redknapp unbeaten in his last 10 Barclays Premier League games as a manager against Villa.
From the opening minute the suggestion was this was going to be an entertaining affair, as has often been the case between these two teams of late, and so it proved.
Despite a 27th-minute straight red card for Jermain Defoe, the Dutch midfielder scored either side of that to take his tally to double figures for the season, with Spurs unbeaten in each of the eight games in which he has scored.
Although Marc Albrighton pulled one back eight minutes from time, it was not enough to spare the home side, with Redknapp unbeaten in his last 10 Barclays Premier League games as a manager against Villa.
From the opening minute the suggestion was this was going to be an entertaining affair, as has often been the case between these two teams of late, and so it proved.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Aston Villa 2-1 West Bromwixh Albion
Stewart Downing and Emile Heskey provided a much-needed lift for Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier as their goals earned victory over derby rivals West Brom at Villa Park.
Downing struck his sixth goal of the campaign after 25 minutes and fit-again Heskey wrapped up the points 10 minutes from time before a late consolation from Paul Scharner.
Victory ended a run of three successive Premier League defeats and eased Villa's relegation fears.
It was also a boost for Houllier, who had come in for criticism from Villa fans for his behaviour when returning to Liverpool for Monday's clash.
He was warmly applauded by the Holte End when making his way to the dug-out and then saw Downing and Heskey ensure Villa remain unbeaten against Albion since 1985.
Downing struck his sixth goal of the campaign after 25 minutes and fit-again Heskey wrapped up the points 10 minutes from time before a late consolation from Paul Scharner.
Victory ended a run of three successive Premier League defeats and eased Villa's relegation fears.
It was also a boost for Houllier, who had come in for criticism from Villa fans for his behaviour when returning to Liverpool for Monday's clash.
He was warmly applauded by the Holte End when making his way to the dug-out and then saw Downing and Heskey ensure Villa remain unbeaten against Albion since 1985.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Liverpool 3-0 Aston Villa
Liverpool's stand-in strikers shrugged off the absence of Fernando Torres to secure a comfortable victory over Aston Villa and make it an unhappy return to Anfield for former Reds manager Gerard Houllier.
With Torres given the night off to be with his wife Olalla, who had gone into labour with their second child, David Ngog and Ryan Babel ensured he was not unduly missed with first-half goals.
Maxi Rodriguez added the third in the 55th minute to make it four successive Barclays Premier League victories for Liverpool at Anfield.
In truth Villa, like previous visitors West Ham, posed little in the way of a threat but there were some encouraging performances from Liverpool all the same.
With Torres given the night off to be with his wife Olalla, who had gone into labour with their second child, David Ngog and Ryan Babel ensured he was not unduly missed with first-half goals.
Maxi Rodriguez added the third in the 55th minute to make it four successive Barclays Premier League victories for Liverpool at Anfield.
In truth Villa, like previous visitors West Ham, posed little in the way of a threat but there were some encouraging performances from Liverpool all the same.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Houllier interested in Michael Owen
Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier says he would "love" to be reunited with Michael Owen once again should the Manchester United striker become available.
Houllier managed Owen during the most productive years of the striker's career, with the pinnacle coming in 2001 when Liverpool won the treble of FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup, with Owen going on to be named European Player of the Year.
Owen is only a fringe member of the United squad at present, starting just one Premier League game this season, and ahead of Villa's game against their former club Liverpool on Monday, Houllier has made no attempt to disguise his interest in the player.
"I would love to bring him here," Houllier told the Mail on Sunday. "He would be good for the group and has a joyful attitude to playing."
Houllier managed Owen during the most productive years of the striker's career, with the pinnacle coming in 2001 when Liverpool won the treble of FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup, with Owen going on to be named European Player of the Year.
Owen is only a fringe member of the United squad at present, starting just one Premier League game this season, and ahead of Villa's game against their former club Liverpool on Monday, Houllier has made no attempt to disguise his interest in the player.
"I would love to bring him here," Houllier told the Mail on Sunday. "He would be good for the group and has a joyful attitude to playing."
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Birmingham advances in game marred by fan violence.
Nikola Zigic put Birmingham through to their first Carling Cup semi-final for nine years with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa in a hard-fought derby marred by ugly scenes at the end.
Thousands of Blues fans charged towards the Villa supporters and dozens of missiles and some flares were thrown before order was restored and City can expect to face Football Association action.
Zigic's deflected shot five minutes from time settled the tie after Gabriel Agbonlahor had cancelled out Sebastian Larsson's early penalty, as Villa were unable to deny City their first win over their local rivals for five-and-a-half years.
Thousands of Blues fans charged towards the Villa supporters and dozens of missiles and some flares were thrown before order was restored and City can expect to face Football Association action.
Zigic's deflected shot five minutes from time settled the tie after Gabriel Agbonlahor had cancelled out Sebastian Larsson's early penalty, as Villa were unable to deny City their first win over their local rivals for five-and-a-half years.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Carling Cup Action
11/30/2010-- Arsenal plays host to Wigan and West Ham plays host to Manchester United.
- Wigan Athletic @ Arsenal
- Manchester United @ West Ham United
- Aston Villa @ Birmingham
- West Bromwich Albion @ Ipswich Town
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Arsenal 4-2 Aston Villa
Arsenal survived a second-half onslaught from Aston Villa to regain - at least temporarily - the leadership of the Barclays Premier League.
The Gunners looked to be cruising to victory after dominating the opening 45 minutes and netting through Andrey Arshavin and Samir Nasri.
But Villa were transformed in the second period and Ciaran Clark struck twice either side of Marouane Chamakh's 10th goal of the campaign before Jack Wilshere's injury-time clincher.
The Gunners looked to be cruising to victory after dominating the opening 45 minutes and netting through Andrey Arshavin and Samir Nasri.
But Villa were transformed in the second period and Ciaran Clark struck twice either side of Marouane Chamakh's 10th goal of the campaign before Jack Wilshere's injury-time clincher.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Blackburn Rovers 2 - 0 Aston Villa
Blackburn Rovers new owners had plenty to cheer as a brace from Morten Gamst Pedersen ensured they made a winning start against Aston Villa.
Rovers, playing for the first time since being taken over by Indian company Venky's, took the lead in stoppage time at the end of the opening period at Ewood Park thanks to Pedersen's delightful looping free-kick.
The Norwegian then struck again midway through the second half to wrap up a comfortable victory for Sam Allardyce's side.
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| PA Photos |
Rovers, playing for the first time since being taken over by Indian company Venky's, took the lead in stoppage time at the end of the opening period at Ewood Park thanks to Pedersen's delightful looping free-kick.
The Norwegian then struck again midway through the second half to wrap up a comfortable victory for Sam Allardyce's side.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Villa confirm deal to sign ex-Arsenal hero Pires
GettyImages
Aston Villa have confirmed that former Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires will sign for the club on a free transfer later this week.
Pires departed Villarreal on a free transfer in the summer after spending four years in Spain and has been training with Arsenal in an effort to maintain his fitness levels.
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