Tag Archives: Aston Villa

So Houllier at Villa. Will he be a success?

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So after six years away from the Premier League (and it feels like about 4 of those were speculation he was joining Villa – can you believe its been less than a month?) Gérard Houllier has officially been confirmed as manager of Aston Villa.

So the immediate question – will he be a success? He’s had a mixed bag of a career. He was last in the Premier League as manager of Liverpool, where he set about dismantling the Spice Boy Era, and bought a bit of success to the club (including a UEFA Cup win) before leaving the club in a bit of a mess after failing to qualify for the Champions League. Not that dissimilar from his successor then.

He did help turn Steven Gerrard into the Steven Gerrard we all know today, and he did get the best out of Michael Owen (who hasn’t really been the same player since). Although it wasn’t all roses, he also bought El Hadji Diouf instead of Nicolas Anelka. If you are going to buy one sulky foreigner, you want to make it Anelka.

They key, I think is that the Premier League is a pretty different beast than it was in 2004. Since then English Clubs have come to dominante in the Champions League (last season excepted) the status of the League has grown, the money is crazier, it is an altogether different beast. Although having some experience is better than none.

The other key is Villa. Can they be pushed farther than O’Neill took them? Over the past few seasons they have been bleeding talent (Barry, Milner etc) without ever breaking into the top four (Despite threatening a couple of times). Keeping hold of talent is going to be key, and its unlikely he’ll be able to dismantle and start again as he did at Liverpool.

He is a great coach though – he won other trophies at Liverpool, cups and super cups, as well as the League in France a couple of times. He had a torrid international spell, but as we know that’s a different beast entirely.

Also, apparently Villa think he shares the same core values as they do. Whatever the hell they are.

Its a really interesting appointment and I can’t wait to see how it pans out. His first game is against Stoke on Monday (Its on Sky of course), also make a note in your diary for the beginning of December, when he heads back to Anfield.

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Premier league stars worth every penny?

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Stephen Ireland instantly became the biggest earning star in the Aston Villa dressing room when he signed  earlier this week, but he has no qualms in insisting the likes of Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney are worthy of their lavish earnings.

“It’s not up to me to argue what any footballer should be paid and I don’t have any problem in saying I’m worth the money I’m getting now,” insists Ireland, who has just been handed a multi-million pound severance payment to leave Manchester City and join Aston Villa.

“I was City’s Player of the Year last season and things went well for me, so I earned the right to be paid the same as most of the other players who were in the team around me every week.

“A lot of my team-mates were on much bigger money than me at City for a long time and I’d say I have only been on what I would call decent money in the last year or so. People like Micah Richards and Michael Johnson earned more than me at times when they were not even in the first eleven.

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Five candidates to succeed in the Villa hot seat

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Posted by Sport.co.uk on: 12 August 2010 – 17:02
Author: Liam Britnell
Comments: 1 Go…

After Martin O’Neill’s rather abrupt departure from Aston Villa earlier this week, it was inevitable that many names were going to be thrown into the frame for one of the league’s tougher jobs. Villa, who are currently one of few teams that are trying to break into the illustrious Top 4, have faltered as of late and, due to the board’s handling of Ashley Young’s possible transfer, O’Neill decided enough was enough.

Sport.co.uk have searched through every website, blog and bookies to come up with our list of who we thing will be the next gaffer at Villa Park.

1. Sven-Goran Eriksson

Everybody’s favourite Swede, or not. The ex-England boss has entered the race as favourite and has expressed interest in the job. Sven, who is currently unemployed after taking charge of the Ivory Coast for the World Cup, has not had a full time managerial position since his disastrous stint with the Mexico national team. However, as much as people love to pick at the Swede, he has managed some of Europe’s biggest teams, including Benfica, Lazio and Roma. At Lazio, he is considered the clubs most successful ever manager and, who knows, maybe the day-to-day regime of club football suits him more than being a national team coach. Odds- 6/1

2. Bob Bradley 

Starting off as an interim manager as talks with ex-Tottenham striker Jurgen Klinsmann collapsed, Bradley eventually took over the USA national team post in 2007 after a series of decent results. In his first year as coach, he posted a record of won 12, drew 1 and lost 5. He led the USA through World Cup qualifying, beating Honduras 3-2, before going on to draw with England and top Group C. The USA manager may be difficult to tempt away from a team that he has created, although his son Michael does currently play for Borussia Monchengladbach, so the chance to be closer to him and watch him play could be tempting. Odds- 10/1

3. Alan Curbishley 

Ex-Charlton and West Ham gaffer Curbishley has been away from management for nearly 3 years, and would relish the chance to get back into the top flight. Curbishley gained cult status at Charlton during his 5 year reign at the club, guiding them through one of the club’s most prominent spells. Curbishley’s hiatus from management could mean that his desire to get this job could be greater than most. Taking on a project like the Villa job would be perfect for Alan, as the club already has the secure foundations – it just needs an experienced manager to take them further. Odds- 7/2

4. Martin Jol

Loved by everyone during his time at north London outfit Spurs, he spent three years at White Hart Lane  and endeared himself to everyone for his attitude and straight talking interviews. Martin would tell it how it was – if Spurs had played poorly he would admit to that, and media and fans alike appreciated that from the Dutchman. After leaving Tottenham he went to German side Hamburg SV, where he enjoyed periods of success in reaching the UEFA Cup and German Cup semi finals. He took over Ajax in 2009 and, in his first season, Ajax smashed record after record, including least goals conceded since 2004 and most goals scored since 98 (106). Martin Jol may be the most popular successor to Martin O’Neill. Odds- 33/1

5. Slaven Bilic

Current Croatia national coach Bilic is remembered by most as a rather charismatic defender for both West Ham and Everton. And for those that are too young to remember this era of football, you will know him as he is now: the cigarette-smoking, jeans-wearing Croatia manager. He was named by FIFA for many years as the 2nd best national team coach behind Dunga of Brazil and became the youngest manager to lead a team to a major championship in UEFA Euro 2008. However Croatia failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup and, after being at this post for almost 5 years, it could be time for a change for Bilic. Odds- 7/2

Sport.co.uk revealed an exclusive story on Tuesday afternoon – Hoffenheim gaffer Ralf Ragnick wants to take over the reins at Villa Park. The German was the mastermind behind Hoffenheim’s back-to-back promotions to the top flight of German football, the Bundesliga. He is somewhat of an outsider but keep an eye out for one of the hottest managerial talents in Germany.

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Martin O’Neill Resigns

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O’Neill has quit as Villa boss

The Northern Irishman guided Villa to 6th place last season.

O’Neill said: “I’ve enjoyed my time at Aston Villa immensely. It’s obviously a wrench to be leaving such a magnificent club.

“I would like to pay tribute to the Villa players, my coaching staff and the Villa supporters for all the support and encouragement they have given both the club and me personally during my time as manager.

“I wish them all the best for the future. I will obviously be assisting the club in the immediate short-term with regard to the handover of my duties.”

It had been speculated that O’Neill was becoming frustrated at his perceived lack of control over the club’s transfer policy. Villa have failed to add to their squad so far this summer and the protracted transfer of James Milner to Manchester City had prevented the manager from being able to pursue targets.

Now, with Ashley Young rumoured to be the subject of a bid from Tottenham Hotspur, O’Neill may have been unhappy at being forced to restructure his squad with just five days to go before the start of the Premier League season.

The 58-year-old’s decision is the worst preparation possible for Aston Villa, who already faced an uncertain start to the season with the James Milner saga dragging on without any prospect of immediate resolution. Now, with no manager and another key player in Ashley Young possibly on his way out, Villa’s prospects this season seem under threat before it has even begun.

Assistant manager Kevin MacDonald has been placed in temporary charge until a permanent appointment can be made.

Paul Faulkner, chief executive of Aston Villa, said: “The club would like to thank Martin for the great work he has done at Aston Villa over the past four years. He has helped to establish the club in the upper echelons of the Premier League, has taken us to Wembley and we have also qualified for European competition for the past three seasons under his management. We wish him the best in the future.”

Visit the official Aston Villa website to view the club’s full statement.

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