Who needs International competitions when you have your local team bursting at the seams to get back into business?!I’ve always been more of a club before country man myself anyway....
It’s all started off well for the Villa, a warm-up match against Basingstoke filled with a squad of reserves and youth graduates may have ended with a loss, but when the big boys came out to play yesterday against Peterborough, that win was never really in doubt.
Ashley Young, who had a fantastic game in a more central attacking role, got the game off to a flyer with a superb effort from 35 yards that looped over Joe Lewis into the net. Peterborough pulled one back though shortly after, with Aaron Davies making the most of a hesitant backline to beat two defenders in the area and prod the ball past Friedel.
Step forward John Carew, the big Norwegian was in the right place at the right time when Ashley Young’s low cross was majestically back-healed into the net by the Holte favourite to make it 2-1. Ten minutes after the break Stewart Downing produced a fantastic delivery from a corner to leave young defender Eric Lichaj a free header, to which he powered the ball into the top corner. Charlie Lee pulled one back for the home team at the end, which deflected off Richard Dunne, wrong-footing the keeper.
After the game Ashley Young came out and done something that another squad member should have ALREADY done. He praised the impact that Martin O’Neill has had on his career and even indicated that he wanted to extend his contract with the club that gave him his chance to shine in the Premier League.
He went on to say, "I have enjoyed my time here [at Aston Villa], I have learnt a lot and I think I have a lot more learning to do under the manager.”
"They are the club that gave me my chance. Hopefully I can build on that and we will see what happens."
Away from yesterday’s antics and rumours north of the border seem to think that winger Aiden McGeady might finally be on his way to Villa after Martin O’Neill made it known to Celtic that he is now ready to do business.
A fee in the region of £10m is being touted and after seeing Ashley Young playing in a second striker role yesterday to good effect, maybe buying another winger could have a fantastic effect on our forward options and intern, allow us to get the best out of our goal shy midfield.
Ahh, it’s good to be back.
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