Aston Villa

Aston Villa
Aston Villa boss David O'Leary was left nonplussed by Mark Clattenburg's decision not to give a penalty after Erik Edman's challenge on Mark Delaney. "If ever a penalty was a penalty, then that was a penalty," said O'Leary. "If we had had a penalty Kanoute wouldn't have immediately gone down the pitch and scored the opening goal. "I thought we were poor," added O'Leary. "My players let themselves down. We gave away too many soft goals and we were too easy to play against." Despite his disappointment, O'Leary praised his team for challenging for a Uefa Cup place for the second successive season. "We are a small group, but for the second year running we're in the mix for Europe. "The players have given me everything and they've shown a great consistency over the last two years."

Villa must change ways - Delaney
Aston Villa defender Mark Delaney says the club need to heed lessons from this campaign or risk suffering another season of mid-table mediocrity. "It's hard to put a finger on why defensively we're making mistakes, but as we've done it quite a bit recently then we're not really learning either. "We are going to be criticised but we have to take it on the chin. "If we don't start learning from this we're going to be in the same situation next season," the 28-year-old said. Delaney concedes criticism of Villa's defence has been rare in recent seasons, but says it is fully deserved after their performances in recent weeks. Injuries have played their part, but Delaney pinpoints defensive errors for undermining an assault on the European qualifying places. Defeat at home to Manchester City put an end to those hopes and the Welshman admitted his second-half performance was "pretty shocking". "We put a lot of pressure on ourselves in the last three games to try and win a Uefa Cup spot, but the lost points at home have cost us," he added. "We are a small squad but, as a team, we are good enough to be challenging for Europe. "It's just that we've let ourselves down in the last three or four games and that's because we've not been as strong at the back as we would like to have been."

O'Leary keen to strengthen squad
Aston Villa boss David O'Leary believes his side have a realistic chance of qualifying for a Uefa Cup next season. "We have a chance to improve the squad," said O'Leary after the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. "I've given the chairman a list players that are gettable. If we do we will have a chance of challenging the likes of Spurs for a Uefa Cup place. "If we're going to improve we have to have better players - I hope to bring in four players to strengthen my team."

Liverpool 2-1 Aston Villa
Striker Djibril Cisse gave manager Rafael Benitez a timely reminder of his prowess 10 days ahead of the Champions League final against AC Milan. Starting his first full game since October, Cisse won and scored a penalty and clipped home a low shot to convert Josemi's cross in the first half. Gareth Barry scored Villa's goal, powering in a shot past Scott Carson. Both sides hit the bar in the second-half, John Arne Riise for Liverpool and Luke Moore for Villa. Cisse's goals must have made uncomfortable viewing for MIlan Baros - the Czech Republic striker's last goal in the Premiership came back in the beginning of February. On the hour Baros came off the bench to replace Harry Kewell, though the two Liverpool strikers had few chances to link up. Before Cisse's devastating two-goal burst, Villa had looked the more likely to score, Carson pawing away Lee Hendrie's curling shot. A superb run and shot from Jamie Carragher that hit the side netting had the effect of shaking Liverpool out of their lethargy. Liverpool's other central defender - the much maligned Mauricio Pellegrino - also went close in the opening half with a backheel, Thomas Sorensen doing well to save from close range. In between those two chances Cisse grabbed his brace, his first goal the result of his willingness to chase a lost cause as much as Mark Delaney's reckless tackle. When Sorensen pushed away Kewell's shot there looked little danger as Delaney and Cisse chased the ball. But the Villa defender was surprised by the Frenchman's pace and as the Liverpool striker reached the ball first he was felled by Delaney. Cisse stroked the penalty to the right of Sorensen giving the Villa keeper no chance. Seven minutes later Cisse proved equally deadly when he rattled the ball into the same corner of the net after good work by Antonio Nunez and Josemi down the Liverpool right. Villa's goal had much to with Steven Davis' wonderful pass with the outside of his boot to Nolberto Solano on the edge of the box. The Peruvian headed across goal and Barry powered a shot past Carson. Barry's goal allied to some erratic defending from Pellegrino and Josemi gave Liverpool some nervy moments. Their shaking defending allied to Moore's enthusiasm saw the Villa striker hit the bar with a header, while the Villa striker also went close with a couple of shots. Not that Liverpool were solely content to defend their lead, with Riise's venomous shot striking the bar. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Liverpool: Carson, Josemi, Pellegrino, Carragher, Warnock, Nunez (Finnan 79), Alonso, Biscan (Hamann 70), Riise, Cisse, Kewell (Baros 60). Subs Not Used: Dudek, Hyypia. Goals: Cisse 20 pen, 27. Aston Villa: Sorensen, De la Cruz, Delaney, Laursen, Barry, Djemba-Djemba, Solano, Davis, Hendrie (Samuel 48), Vassell (Moore 45), Angel (Cole 64). Subs Not Used: McCann, Henderson. Goals: Barry 67. Att: 43,406 Ref: B Knight (Kent).

Magpies deny Villa claim over duo
Newcastle have denied agreeing a combined fee with Aston Villa to sell striker Craig Bellamy and defender Aaron Hughes. Villa chairman Doug Ellis said on Wednesday that Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd had "accepted our cash offer for both players". But a statement on the Magpies website then claimed no fee had been agreed with any club for either player. Bellamy is currently on loan at Celtic after falling out with Graeme Souness. Newcastle manager Souness said Bellamy would never play for him again after the pair's relationship broke down earlier this season. The Welshman, who played for Norwich and Coventry before joining Newcastle for £6m in 2001, is believed to be available for £5m. That - plus his reported £45,000 per week wages - probably rules out Celtic, for whom Bellamy has fired nine goals in 13 games during his loan arrangement. Villa are clearly interested but it appears there is a discrepancy between the two clubs over what has been agreed. Hughes, who like Bellamy is 25, is a Northern Ireland international who has made 279 appearances for the Magpies. If the pair do join Villa they will become the second and third signings this summer after Patrick Berger, who will complete his switch in June when his contract at Portsmouth expires.

Cooke in talks over Cherries move
Bournemouth have held talks with Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Cooke, 22, about a possible move to Dean Court. Cooke, who is out of contract at Villa Park this summer, has had two previous loan spells with the Cherries. Boss Sean O'Driscoll told the club website: "Stephen's been here before - he's done very well and is the type of player we'd be interested in having. "A number of other clubs have also expressed an interest, so hopefully we can put something together." Cooke first moved to the south coast for a seven-game spell in March 2002, and returned for another month in January 2004 - while he also served Wycombe on loan earlier this season. O'Driscoll added: "He's a skilful player, well-liked by the fans, and he'd be a successful addition to our squad. "He's kept in touch with a couple of the players, knows the area and knows the way we like to play the game."

O'Leary made to wait over Bellamy
Boss David O'Leary has said that Aston Villa are no nearer to completing a deal for Newcastle's Craig Bellamy. Villa have expressed an interest in the striker, who is on loan at Celtic. But O'Leary told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme: "I don't know when that will be concluded or when we can have any discussions. "He is at Celtic and they have a final SPL game and then a cup final next week and nothing will be sorted out until that is all over, I would imagine." Earlier in the week, Villa had claimed that they had agreed a joint fee for Bellamy and Aaron Hughes, which Newcastle denied. The Midlands club then tied up a £1m switch for Hughes but it appears that a move for Bellamy is still some way from completion. "I'd love to have a player like Craig Bellamy but it hasn't gone that far," added O'Leary. "We need to find out what the fee is, what the player's wages are and everything else. "We've done well this week, we've got Aaron Hughes in, we need some more players and the chairman is trying his best to do that but only time will tell." Bellamy fell out with Newcastle boss Graeme Souness and has been told he has no future with the club. His spell with Celtic, who could clinch the Scottish Premier League title today and face Dundee United in the Scottish Cup final next week, has been a success. But it does not appear as if the Glasgow side are able to afford to keep the player on a permanent basis.

Delaney hopes for Bellamy link-up
Aston Villa defender Mark Delaney would love it if his Wales team-mate Craig Bellamy were to join him at the club. "I feel that Villa can go places if we can get a few new faces in to go with the youngsters," said Delaney, 28. "Craig could give us that boost. He's got the quality to score and create, but lots of clubs will want him." Villa said that Newcastle had accepted a £6m bid for the striker, currently on loan at Celtic, but the Magpies deny this and Bellamy has made no comment.

Angel frustrated at Euro failure
Juan Pablo Angel is unhappy with Aston Villa's failure to qualify for European competition, and will consider his future at the club next summer. The 29-year-old Colombian striker said: "When you play in Europe you compete against the best and you get the chance to prove yourself to the world. "But we haven't done that, which is frustrating for the whole team. "Would I like to move on? I will answer questions about my future in 12 months time. Let's just see what happens." Villa have never qualified automatically for Europe since Angel arrived at the club from River Plate in January 2001. They did progress into the Uefa Cup from the Intertoto Cup four years ago, but were knocked out in the first round. Meanwhile, Aston Villa central defender Martin Laursen is confident of his recovery from the knee injury which ruined his 2004/2005 campaign. "My knee is doing very well," the Dane told the Villa website. "I have worked all through the break, training three or four times a week to get fit for pre-season. "I will be fit for the start of pre-season. I am doing very well. The knee doesn't hurt. It is not swollen. I am very positive about things."

O'Leary welcomes Solano decision
Aston Villa boss David O'Leary has welcomed Peru winger Nolberto Solano's decision to retire from international football at the age of 30. "The more games he is available for Villa, the better," said O'Leary. "There were times when we would go off to away matches on a Friday afternoon and Nobby would still be in mid-air, flying back from South America. "He would be keen to play the next day but you knew he wouldn't be in a fit state to play, however keen he was." He added: "You can't complain about this sort of thing because you know that is the agenda with South American players when you sign them. "But he has shown that he is a key player for us and, in terms of value for money (£1.5m), I would say he is probably my best signing."

Moore signs new contract at Villa
Aston Villa striker Luke Moore has signed a new three-year deal, keeping him at the club until summer 2008. The 19-year-old's current deal was due to expire at the end of this month but he has committed himself to the club. "It's a weight off my shoulders. You need to know one way or the other what your future is and I always wanted to stay here," he told the club website. "There was interest from other clubs. I had to have something to fall back on but Villa were always my first choice." Moore came to prominence after scoring 18 goals in seven games for the U17s and won the FA Youth Cup in 2002. He made his first-team debut last year in the 2-2 draw with Birmingham and was a regular in David O'Leary's squad last season, scoring his first goal against Middlesbrough in March.

Ellis to undergo heart operation
Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis is set to undergo heart bypass surgery. The club announced to the London Stock Exchange that the 81-year-old, who first took charge of the club 37 years ago, is in hospital for the operation. Operations director Steven Stride and company secretary Marion Stringer will run the business with the club's board. A board meeting has been scheduled to confirm responsibilities during the absence of Ellis, who has been Villa's controlling shareholder since 1982.

Villa striker makes switch to QPR
QPR have signed Aston Villa striker Stefan Moore on a three-year deal. The 21-year-old, who ended last season on loan at Leicester, has been allowed to leave on a free by Villa despite having a year left on his contract. Rangers boss Ian Holloway said: "He's the sort of player who will help get us back into the Premiership. "We're looking to get him back to where he started. What he needs is to get a few games under his belt and, when he does, he'll be flying."

Ellis recovering after operation
Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis is recovering after undergoing a heart bypass operation in Birmingham. The 81-year-old had surgery on Sunday at the city's Priory Hospital after complaining of chest pains last week. A club spokesman said: "The surgeon was very pleased with the way things went and the chairman is in recovery." Ellis, who has been at the club for 37 years, has already indicated that he intends to return to work at Villa Park for the start of the new campaign. Operations director Steven Stride and company secretary Marion Stringer are running the business with the club's board in his absence. A board meeting has been scheduled to confirm responsibilities during the absence of Ellis, who has been Villa's controlling shareholder since 1982.

Berson ready to leave Aston Villa
Aston Villa midfielder Mathieu Berson is set to leave the Premiership club, with Spanish side Espanyol making an approach for the Frenchman. Berson, 25, joined Villa a year ago but he has failed to win a regular place, playing just 11 Premiership games. Berson's agent Olivier Jouanneaux told BBC Sport: "We're trying to find the best solution to suit both the player and Aston Villa. "There's been contact with Espanyol and Mathieu is keen to go to Barcelona." Villa paid Nantes £1.6m for Berson but the French midfielder struggled to play regularly under manager David O'Leary. Jouanneaux added: "The club knows he wants to play more and they have been very fair with him, particularly David O'Leary. "Now we are waiting for movement from Espanyol to see if they want to pursue their interest." Espanyol had also been interested in the former French under-21 international before he signed a four-year deal with Villa last summer.

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