Aston Villa review

I noted in a recent post that so often, goals from set pieces can be the difference maker in Premier League games.

And at half time last night this looked to be the case. Two very evenly matched sides in terms of personnel and outlookwere seperated by a Richard Dunne (didn't you know it) header from a corner. As much as we have improved ourselves in this facet, we are still worryingly leaking goals in this area too.

It had been an open half, with the attacking prowess of both sides on display, yet neither side able to open up the other to create sufficient quality chances. Villa I thought 'won' the first half, their energy, tempo and relentless pressuring of our players did not allow us to settle and for large periods we struggled to control the game.

The second half saw us improve however, and were fully deserving of the point we ultimately came away with. Perhaps it was the (forced) introduction of Stephen Ireland for Nigel de Jong, or that the once again excellent Craig Bellamy saw more of the ball and became a real creative outlet.

In the preview, it stated that when scoring first we had won every game so far this season. Away from home, particularly at tough places such as Villa Park things are not always going to go your way, so not only was it pleasing to come from behind after the break to earn a point, but the mentality the side showed to achieve it - something that suggests the flakiness of previous City sides has been consigned to the past. No lack of belief or being bereft of idea, there was a constant purpose and desire to get something from the game - again, expectation rather than hope.

In fact, at 1-1 we looked the side most likely to go on and take the points but that would perhaps have been unfair on a Villa side who on the evidence, like ourselves, do look well equipped to challenge the established order of the top four.

Aston Villa matchday thread

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Aston Villa preview

It is a measure of our start this season that heading into this game - whilst a tough fixture - it is with a sense of expectation for the victory, rather than merely hoping to come away with the win.

Both sides (along with Tottenham and Everton) were installed as favourites at the start of the season for the Europa League places and to potentially challenge the top four. Whilst we have made undoubted progress since the end of 2008/09, it is fair to say Villa's has been less so.

Yet, this is perhaps a measure of quite how good a season they had last time around and it is easy to dismiss (with much focus on ourselves and Tottenham) the start they have had to the season following their opening day loss at home to Wigan as they have flown under the radar somewhat.

Both sides possess pace and attacking threat which could lend itself to a game featuring plenty of opportunities, but I see us having that extra quality in the key positions that can determine the outcome.

Both Stephen Ireland and Emmanuel Adebayor are again available, and whilst Adebyaor should slot straight back into the side I imagine Ireland will likely battle Shaun Wright-Phillips for the final midfield spot with Hughes probably lining up the 4-3-3 we have seen for the most part this season.

The game of course will see recently departed Richard Dunne face us. Whilst there was a hint of acrimony and one or two barbs fired when the transfer was completed there is no doubt Dunne will receive the reception he deserves for his time at the club. Conversely, Gareth Barry will line up against his former side and despite one or two pleas from his former team-mates, his reception is certain to be hotter than the one Dunne will receive.

Villa Park, historically, has been a happy hunting ground for us and there have been some notable victories down the years so we should travel in good spirit and know a win will see us make ground on some of the sides above us in the table.

Following a dearth of draws so far this season, the Premier League saw plenty this past weekend and most predictions appear to suggest the spoils will be shared this evening. Not me however, as I am in confident mood and take us to come away with the points with a 2-1 victory.

Game notes

• We have won all five league matches this season when opening the scoring - the best record in the division.
• Our return of five wins from their opening six games is their best start to a top flight season since 1961-62. They went on finish 12th that season.
• Gabby Agbonlahor could become the first Villa player to score in five consecutive league matches since Paul Rideout in the 1984-85 season.
• Villa have conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League this season (five).
• Villa are attempting to keep a third successive clean sheet at home for the first time in two years.

Dunne on City exit

"They signed the players and that was it. I wasn't given the opportunity to stay and fight for my place. That's what was annoying.

"I was told I had to go and that's the frustrating part about it.

"They told me they had accepted an offer so I said 'OK, but what if I want to stay and fight for my place?'

"They said 'it's funny, we need the money'.

>>skysports.com

An interesting angle as it suggests that Dunne would have been willing to stay and fight for his place, something that Hughes deemed would be unfair out of respect for the service he gave to the club.

Does it hint at something more, and that Hughes was keen to break ties with the past to continue shaping the side in his own image? It would be surprising given how keen Hughes was to keep him at the club the summer of 2008, and re-named him as captain since he became manager.

I feel that Hughes saw Lescott as an upgrade over Dunne and once he was added, Dunne, mainly because of the lack of rotation there is in the central defensive area in comparison to other areas of the side, largely became indispensable.

Dunne move confirmed

As expected, confirmation that Richard Dunne has signed for Aston Villa:

CITY today said farewell to one of the club’s most resolute and enduring defenders in Republic of Ireland star Richard Dunne, who has signed for Aston Villa.

The player’s departure, confirmed this lunchtime after the Football Association checked the paperwork, signals the end of an era and Richard goes to the Midlands with the best wishes and gratitude of everyone at Manchester City.

Dunne, who will be 30-years-old next month was signed by Joe Royle in October 2000 for £3m and has turned out to be one of the best buys ever for the club.Not only did the former skipper clock up 290 league appearances and 55 more outings in the cup but he wrote his name in the Blues’ history books by being voted Fans’ player of the year on four successive occasions.

Make no mistake, the departure of Richard Dunne, club captain and longest serving player is a very significant move, and perhaps symbolic in that the remaining link to the past now departs the club, on more or less the anniversary of the ADUG takeover.

Dunne made his debut back in October 2000 against Southampton at The Dell in a 2-0 victory, that was (if memory serves me correct) the Monday night game on Sky. Also in the line up that night were the likes of Spencer Prior, Paul Ritchie and Steve Howey - a real sign of Dunne's staying power.

The hope is that although there was a delay in Dunne moving to Villa, there was not an acrimonious ending to his time at the club. Whatever the feeling is regarding his departure from the club, he would have deserved better than that for what he gave to the club over the best part of the past decade.

Whilst he would have continued to have been a valuable squad player - and no doubt featured when Kolo Toure is away on African Cup of Nations duty, with some players you have to be fair with and allow them the opportunity to move in if they are not going to be a realistic part of the clubs future plans. This is something that Mark Hughes readily acknowledged:

“Richard has been outstanding for Manchester City. He is the ultimate professional and has served the club magnificently. Winning the player of the year award for four consecutive years tells you everything about him. We all wish him well for his future career at Aston Villa," he said.

“It would have been difficult for Dunney to stay given his standing at the club and I understand that. I wasn’t going to stand in his way. I could have tried to stop him going and said I wanted him as a squad player but out of respect for what he has done for City I wasn’t going to do that.

“Not only has Richard performed exceptionally well for this club over the years but he has been a terrific ambassador and is a inspiring person who commands the respect of everyone. He has conducted himself in a impressive manner throughout my time here and way beyond that.”

Dunne's time at the club has undoubtedly come, and as sad as it may be in some ways to see a player of his stature depart, it is the correct decision as ultimately, sentiment cannot stand in the way of the progress the club is making and the direction and destination they are aiming towards.

His partnership with Sylvain Distin in the mid part of the decade was a key factor (if not the reason) that allowed for our survival in the Premier League at a time when our demise may well have proved fatal.

The signing of Kolo Toure was perhaps the initial writing on the wall for him, but the addition of Joleon Lescott ushered Dunne towards the exit door. A move to Villa though is a good one for him though. They are a well set club, consistent over the past few seasons under Martin O'Neill and could realistically finish ahead of us this season. Certainly they (along with Tottenham and Everton) will be challenging for the top six.

Whilst Dunne was no longer the pillar binding the side together. Whilst his commitment, effort and devotion were obvious traits, he remained a largely underrated player, possessing deceptive speed and qualities not obvious to the casual observer.

Dunne may not go down as one of the all-time greats but he will certainly be fondly remembered for his time at the club and will undoubtedly see his name when the teams of the decade begin to be put together.

Dunne on the Villa move

From avfc.co.uk:

"I'm delighted. It's a great opportunity for me. Obviously Aston Villa have improved each season recently.

"Hopefully I can be part of a squad that can challenge for a Champions League spot.

"I think with Aston Villa, with the experience they would have gained from last season - they went so close for so long at the top end and the manager has bought in some new players into the squad this year - maybe it might help us go that bit further."

"I came on Friday and passed my medical and I thought it would be a straightforward day for me. I think there was just a lot of pressure on a lot of people with so many deals going through but I'm just really pleased that finally we have it all done."

Dunne deal will go through

We still await for official confirmation from either ourselves or Aston Villa with regards to the signing of Richard Dunne, with the Premier League yet to ratify the move (although the FA are believed to be satisfied all is in order).

The sticking point as far as we are led to believe was down to the potential pay off from the club that Dunne may be set to receive, but although there is still the possibility the deal will not be completed, I have been informed from a very reliable source the deal will be confirmed and Dunne will become an Aston Villa player.

Transfer deadline - window closes

The 5pm deadline has passed and, although news may still come through, at this stage Tal Ben-Haim has been the only piece of business conducted today.

Whilst the reports of Martin Petrov may have been a non-story, it is Richard Dunne that is the intriguing situation. It was expected that his move to Aston Villa would be completed but at the time of writing this nothing has been confirmed.

Sky Sports are working themselves up over this, frantically trying to clarify if the paperwork was completed in time (they think it may have been) or as they also suggested, Dunne could not agree on a settlement figure withourselves in relation to a potential testimonial he would be due.

Confirmation either way should come through before the evening is out.

Dunne undergoing medical with Villa

So says Sky Sports, and also The Guardian.

No surprise with this one despite the apparant weekend hitch regarding a 'golden handshake', but if Tal Ben-Haim also departs today it will leave us a little light in cover at centre-back - particularly during the African Cup of Nations.

Club confirm Dunne in talks with Villa

From the official site:

City can confirm that the Club has agreed a fee with Aston Villa for defender Richard Dunne and the 29-year-old skipper is travelling to the Midlands to discuss personal terms for a move to Villa Park.

You would imagine that the move would now be completed in time for Dunne to be available for this weekend, and as I thought, the victory over Wolves looks to be his last game in a City shirt.

Dunne fee agreed?

Certainly the Guardian suggests so:

Aston Villa have agreed a fee with Manchester City for Richard Dunne, believed to be about £6m...the Villa manager has identified Dunne as a replacement for Martin Laursen, who retired at the end of last season, and is likely to offer the 29-year-old the captaincy at the Midlands club when he discusses personal terms. Dunne has almost three years remaining on his contract at City but the arrival of Joleon Lescott this week, following the signing of Kolo Touré earlier in the summer, means that he faces the prospect of spending much of the season on the substitutes' bench.

I don't know if it is anything other than strong rumour at the moment, and inevitable folloiwng Lescott's arrival, but you have to imagine there would be a strong market for Dunne should he be available.

I know Hughes spoke following the signing of Joleon Lescott that he expected interest in Dunne, but I'm sure he would prefer to keep him in the squad.

However, whilst Nedum Onouha has time to be patient, Dunne does not. Not only it is a World Cup year (with Ireland having a good chance of qualification) but you don't imagine Dunne is the type of player who can (or wants to) dip in and out of the side, playing 15-20 games a season - he is very much all or nothing, and has been a regular ever since joining us.

It would be a significant move should he be sold though. By no means being forced, he is currently the longest serving player at the club, a link to previous regimes and above all, club captain.

Selling Tal Ben-Haim this wouldn't be.

It does look likely that Dunne will be on his way though. Kolo Toure has impressed in his opening couple of games, and Lescott is not about to sit on the bench after costing £24 million. Central defensive partnerships are not those you generally rotate either (unlike more attacking positions).

As I see it, the only possible bar to a move would be the speed in which it would need to be concluded as the transfer window is ticking down. Whilst I'm sure it is something Dunne has likely contemplated, to actually agree a move is far bigger proposition.

Depending on the line-up for the Palace game, it is seemingly likely that Dunne may have played his final game for the club.

Why the Delph bid failed

From leedsunited.com:

"We had accepted an offer from Manchester City on Saturday which they had to go back with to the owner in the Gulf," Bates told Leeds' official website. "Then apparently they needed a week to think about it which surprised us, considering the size of the deal.

"The problem was they might have come back and said `no' and that wouldn't have been fair to Delph, wouldn't have been fair to Aston Villa, and would have eaten into our season.

"We went back to Villa and it's a good decision for Leeds and the player."

UPDATE:

Some further comments toay from Ken Bates courtesy of Phil Hay's article in the Yorkshire Evening Post:

"Aston Villa's behavious was honourable throughout. They
never involved the media in this or did anything underhand, and they were very
clear that they wanted a deal to be done."The negotiations from start to finish
were above board and that's why the transfer went through smoothly."

Hardly a reference for a transfer negotiation policy, but saying that it isn't often you see Ken Bates and honourable in the same passage.

What I still fail to understand is why having registered at the very least a serious interest, we would then put the brakes on and ask for a week to think things through. Either we were hot on the player enough to warrant that interest or we weren't.

Clearly the fee wouldn't have been an issue, and negotiations seem to have gone smoothly with Villa so I don't see any curve balls being thrown.

From a City perspective it has been very quiet with regards this, and the MEN haven't picked up on this thread - perhaps at the behest of the club?

Yet there does appear to be a valid question to be asked of quite what happened with this deal.

Leeds agree Delph fee with Villa

Aston Villa can confirm that a fee has been agreed with Leeds United for Fabian Delph.

The 19-year-old has made 53 appearances for the Elland Road side as well as representing England at under-19 and under-21 levels.

A Leeds United spokesman said the Yorkshire club: "Wishes to place on record our appreciation for the honourable manner in which Aston Villa has conducted their interest in the player.

"Leeds has resisted approaches from other FA Premier League clubs since agreeing terms with Aston Villa."

>>avfc.co.uk

An interesting move, no doubt.

It was reported by The Yorkshire Evening Post this morning that Delph was expected to leave by the end of this week, yet given comments from Mark Hughes at the weekend it seemed we were favourites.

It is interesting wording talking of the 'honourable' way Villa have conducted negotiations, and that Leeds have frozen other clubs out of the picture rather than potentially (I'm supposing a little here) a higher bid.

Taylor signs

Former England Under-21 goalkeeper Stuart Taylor has become the second player this summer to leave Aston Villa for the City of Manchester Stadium - after a glowing testimonial from Villa No.1 Brad Friedel.

Friedel played under Blues boss Mark Hughes at Blackburn for three years, and Taylor revealed: "I talked to Brad for some advice and he couldn't speak highly enough of the manager and his goalkeeping coach Kevin Hitchcock.

"He has a high regard for Kevin as a person as well as a coach and I can't wait to start. This is a fantastic club to be joining, a club that is going places with a great new owner and a manager I have a lot of respect for."

>>mcfc.co.uk

A move which surely pre-empts confirmation of Joe Hart leaving the club for the 2009/10 season. There isn't a huge amount to say about the move. Taylor (surprisingly only 28) has been somewhat of a career back-up, but has proved an adept and capable goalkeeper when called upon.

An interesting note maybe in that Taylor has only signed a one-year deal, perhaps dismissing those rumours that Hart will not return to the club next summer.

Barry signs

Manchester City have completed the signing of England midfielder Gareth Barry from Aston Villa for £12m.

The 28-year-old was linked with a move to Liverpool last summer but ended up staying at Villa Park, helping them to a sixth-placed finish in the league.

Barry has won 29 caps for England and played over 400 games for Villa, scoring 52 goals.

>>bbc sport

Initial thoughts are this is a very good signing.

He should fit perfectly into the squad, being of a good age, ambitious and possessing the characteristics that Mark Hughes is looking for in players he brings in.

A versatile player, he provides plenty of options for us now in terms of how we line up and I can see him playing that central role we have looked for since Michael Johnson suffered his injury problems.

I did perhaps fear that Arsenal and/or Liverpool may hijack the deal at the last minute and it is perhaps testament to the club that they began and concluded negotiations in around twenty-four hours.

Garry Cook enthused at tonights kit launch that Barry was an impressive character, a "leader", and was genuinely positive about arriving at the club and wanting to play for us and people have already suggested he could be a potential captain of the side.

Said Barry:

"There is great potential here, and I'm sure there will be more additions to the squad this summer".

Interestingly, Cook also said that there were three other potential deals that were being worked on and that Mark Hughes was looking to tie all deals up by mid July at the latest so that the squad he had at the start of pre-season was the one that would head into 2009/10.

City in talks with Gareth Barry

It is beginning to be widely reported that we are in talks with Gareth Barry over a possible transfer to the club.

Nothing official on our site, but avfc.co.uk have a very brief statement confirming the talks.

More to follow.

City 2 Aston Villa 0

[telegraph.co.uk, guardian.co.uk report, MEN report]

A very good win. Let's not forget that despite stuttering of late, Villa's record is very impressive - their away form even more so. Mark Hughes was particularly impressed, labelling it a 'complete performance':

“It was a well deserved victory and I thought we were excellent especially in the first half when some of our play was outstanding,” declared the Blues boss.

“We created lots of chances thanks to the fluidity of our movement and our passing. It was there for all to see and we could have been out of sight by half time.

“The team hunted in packs and followed the game plan and that’s what I want to see more of but I was really proud of them last night and proud of the fans too who lifted us when we got tired towards the end.

“We were dangerous going forward and tight at the back and that is a great combination. The second goal was a reward for the team and the fans. We had some superb interplay and a really good tempo to our play.”

We had plenty of doubts heading into this game with the forward line depleted, and this was exacerbated with Nigel de Jong's injury, but this was perhaps further evidence that we are maturing as a side in the respect that we are able to close games out - which previously in the season we were unable to do.

It was of course our fifth successive home win, and despite setbacks that we have encountered, we are making undeniable progress. Other positives from a playing side were Shaun Wright-Phillips getting on the scoresheet, Gelson Fernandes getting a half under his belt after a long absence and Valeri Bojinov continuing his recovery from injury.

As good as the win was itself, with West Ham winning at Wigan the three points were also vital for our quest for seventh position and we remain four points off that but move up a couple of places in the standings.

The big question with ten games remaining is can we transfer some of the progress we are making into our away form.

Aston Villa open thread

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City v Aston Villa preview

[MEN preview, setanta preview, avfc.co.uk preview, tldorc preview]

A meeting tomorrow evening between two sides who are desperate for the points to sustain bids for the European positions - Villa's of course having far loftier ambitions than our own at present.

Mark Hughes feels that the pressure of occupying fourth place, with the accompanying expectations are beginning to tell on our opponents, and there is a certain degree of truth to that. Villa have stuttered in recent matches and have thrown away a couple of excellent opportunities of late to put a huge distance between themselves and Arsenal.

There are signs that Villa are tiring after a season that began in the Intertoto qualifiers, and their surrender in the last round of the UEFA Cup is evidence that Martin O'Neill is aware of this. To be fair to O'Neill though (and this is something he has acknowledged) is that this is arguably as good a chance as Villa could get to secure Champions League qualification and if there are sacrifices that have to be made then it is something he is willing to do.

I am intrigued to see Villa tomorrow. Whilst Villa have impressed this season from what little I have seen, I do think they over achieved though. By that I do mean it as a compliment, as I think that (like he did at Celtic) although they have talent in the side O'Neill has implemented a system that really does get the maximum out of his side - perhaps the sum being greater than its parts.

Villa have of course been held up as an example of the 'build slowly' approach that many think we should (or indeed are) adopt, pointing to the length of time O'Neill has been in charge as a reason to give Hughes time to develop 'his' squad, playing 'his' football.

Team wise, Emile Heskey will likely be absent tomorrow evening for the opposition, whilst we ourselves are hit by injuries in attack with both Craig Bellamy and Robinho ruled out leaving a suddenly light looking attacking threat. Valeri Bojinov of course returned on Sunday at West Ham but it is unrealistic to expect him to have an impact over the full ninety minutes just yet - although other options are not particularly appealing.

Defensively we have looked far more solid of late, with the addition of Shay Given solidifying the defence and Richard Dunne benefiting from his spell on the sidelines to come back fresh into the line-up. Our fortunes however will depend largely on the duo of Shaun Wright-Phillips and Stephen Ireland. Both players form has been patchy of late if truth be told and they need to step up over the next month or so to compensate for the loss of other key players.

Both sides will fancy the win I imagine, but I see a frustrating evening for both sides, with the spoils being shared in a 1-1 draw.

UEFA Cup draw analysis

Concensus has been that the draw we've been handed is a tough one, but whilst we have a couple of tricky fixtures in there, it is perhaps an easier group than some of the other English sides (certainly Aston Villa) have been handed.

Jack believes that 5 points should be enough to go through, but I would think Mark Hughes would be aiming at six points as a minimum, and probably seven to ensure a smooth progression.

I posted previously that the home games would be crucial, and I firmly believe that 2 wins is a must from the fixtures against Twente and PSG, both sides who are mid-table this season in their respective leagues.

The real big game is the trip to Schalke - a recent perennial Champions League side, who unfortunately came up against Atletico Madrid in the qualifiers. If we took a point from this game it would be a bonus - particularly coming as it does between home fixtures against Arsenal and United.

The final game - at Racing Santander could be a crucial one, although the hope is that we have done enough to secure qualification already, as despite not being a 'big side', they had a good campaign during 2007/08 and were not far off qualifying for the Champions League, and a trip there on the final day needing something to go through will not be an easy prospect.

Whilst we have the undoubted talent to go through - and it will be important to do so to get to the knock-out stages after the January window, the concern could be our lack of European experience as looking at the squad there is not a whole lot there.

The pace of games are slower than the Premier League, and we have seen so far (from lesser sides) that we do have to be patient and bide our time (particularly at home) against sides who will come with a game plan and set their stall out.

Having sounded that note of caution, I am taking us to go through in second place on seven points, along with PSG and group winners Schalke.

Full fixtures:

• Nov 6th - Twente Enschede (h)
• Nov 27th - Schalke 04 (a)
• Dec 3rd - PSG (h)
• Dec 18th - Racing Santander (a)