Laursen return off-again, Milner in the Middle, transfer target and Spurs star jibe

March 12, 2009 by Martin Banks · 6 Comments
Filed under: Aston Villa 

First and foremost it’s bad news today, with yesterday’s training setback for Martin Laursen. The captain had been planned to make his comeback for the Man Utd away game and a very welcome addition he would’ve been too, but he has suffered a small reaction in training and will now be looking to the Everton game at Villa Park the following weekend. This is another game that Laursen’s presence will be helpful in but it now means that we have to go to Old Trafford as well as Anfield without him.

In the thick of it

James Milner has spoken of his desire to play a less wide role for Villa, and get involved in the game more by being in the middle of the park. The position switch doesn’t seem too likely when we have so many central midfielders and so few right midfielders, but it would be interesting to see what he’s like there. I love seeing players play in a different position, to see how versatile their game is, trouble is, the majority of the time it turns out to be a mistake, with the player drifting into their usual role subconsciously.

Here’s what he had to say to the Birmingham Mail on the issue:

“I’ve played there before. I played there a few times for England Under-21s, Newcastle and Leeds,”

“When we might have had injuries I’ve filled in there. I don’t see that as too much of a problem. I grew up playing there quite a lot, so I enjoy the centre midfield role. You seem to be able to get involved in games more sometimes, whereas playing wide you might not be able to get yourself into the game.”

“It’s very tough [playing wide], you have to keep your discipline and stay wide, keep your shape and give the team an outlet when you might not be getting the ball, and you’ve got to wait for people to bring you in, in the middle you can get it yourself and really take the game by the scruff of the neck.”

Good to see your desire to get involved James.

Southampton’s saviour

Down on the south coast, there is a very familiar name, that to us means little, but in the summer it may well become more well known. Andrew Surman is almost single handedly attempting to keep the Saints out of the drop zone of the Championship. The las is a midfielder who was born in South Africa but has played for the England U21s and has scored for them too.

Everton are reported to be in the battle for his signature too, so come the summer it is looking very likely he will become a Premiership player.

“Villa are not a top four side”

Jamie O’Hara’s words, not mine!

The Spurs star has spoken to the Tottenham Journal, saying:

“They’ve had a great season so they’ve done well, but I wouldn’t class them as a top four side just yet because obviously they’ve got to do that on a consistent basis.

“You’ve got to do that for two or three seasons on the spin to be classed as a top four side. Being consistent in the Premiership is the main thing”

It’s not unknown for players to stir things up a little prior to games, and hopefully the players will read O’Hara’s words and be deternined to prove him

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