Laursen return on-again again, Mellberg may play against us in the summer and transfer rumours

March 18, 2009 by Martin Banks · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Aston Villa, Injury News, Transfer News 

It’s becoming a real on-again off-again affair, but now Laursen’s return date is being re-suggested as the Man Utd trip. I’m not sure whether Setanta Sports are simply out of date or if Laursen now re-plans to be back by that game. It had originally been pencilled in for him to return then, but after a training setback it looked to be delayed till the Everton game of the following Sunday.

Hopefully Laursen isn’t rushing back because of the panic that is growing at the club. I’d really hate to see him rush back and then end up going straight back out injured again as a result. If we are to mount any kind of challenge on 4th place, I see Laursen as a figurehead of it. He gives us a lot more stability and confidence when he’s on the pitch.

Peace Cup

Never heard of it? You can be forgiven for that because it has only taken place 3 times before, every two years since 2003. Tottenham have won it in the past, along with PSV and Lyon.

The competition will be druing this summer’s close season break and the confirmed teams so far are: Real Madrid, Sevilla, Juventus, Ajax, Porto, Lyon and us. So there are decent chances of Mellberg playing against his former club, which will mean a lot to him as he still holds us in very high regard, as do we him.

The tournament will be a decent chance for us to get used to playing high quality European teams, preparing us for our goal of reaching the Champions League.

Transfer rumours

Villa are rumoured to be interested in Bosnia and Herzegovina international striker; Edin Dzeko. The striker is also believed to be on the radar of Arsenal and Valencia, after a successful couple of seasons for Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga and a near 1-in-2 goals ratio for his country.

Also on the rumour mill is Portugal defender Miguel, who could fill our problem position of right back. The player is currently out of form, so unless O’Neill feels he can get him back to his best, I don’t see this one as that likely. We have Luke Young, who has fit into the team as well as can be expected for someone playing out of position, so hoepfully we will look more eagerly for a left back than right.

Finally on my transfer rumour radar is Tom Huddlestone. The Tottenham youngster is proving himself to be full of potential and ability and may well have a promising career ahead of him. He has been mentioned as a £6m target, but whether he is ready yet to fill Barry’s boots is unclear.

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