Aalborg BK

Helenius have been a huge disappointment since returning to Aalborg. At the time being 20 rounds of the danish league have been played, Helenius have scored 1 goal in open play in these games (4 goals with penalties). That's just awful, although like Villa Aalborg ain't creating many chances. Since resuming the league after the winter break Helenius have spend most time on the bench. Personally I don't hope Helenius continues in Aalborg.

In two weeks Aalborg plays at home against Club Bruges from Belgium in the round of 32 in the knockout stage of the UEFA Europa League. Still on winterbreak Aalborg are playing friendly matches these days as a preparation to the encounter with Bruges and the start of the Superliga. Until yesterday Helenius didn't play well, however yesterday Helenius played a good game against the russian champions CSKA Moscow. Although Aalborg lost 4-2 against a very good russian side, Helenius scored 2 goals in the game. Especially the first goal was magnificient. After the game Helenius were not happy due to very questionable defending, however on a personal level he were quite happy scoring two goals. Hopefully he gets a lot of confidence from this game. Aalborg are currently in Spain. Saturday they play against Shakhtar Donetsk, the last game on the training camp is against Torpedo Moscow.

Aalborg resumed training today after the winter break. In an interview with danish media (newspaper BT) Helenius said that he doesn't hope returning to Villa. Helenius actually said that he haven't spoken with anyone from Aston Villa in a very long time.

Last night Aalborg progressed from Europe Leagues tough group J. 3 impressive wins at home against Rio Ave, Dynamo Kiev and Steaua Bucharest were enough to progress, even though we lost all 3 away matches. Last nights 2-0 defeat in Portugal were an awful match and result against a team who had nothing to play for. Dynamo Kievs win in Bucharest secured our place in the knockout out round. I must admit that Helenius again played a very poor game. In fact Helenius is nominated as one of the biggest disappointments of the danish Superliga. Most Aalborg supporters expected much more from Helenius this automn. I don't expect Helenius returning to Villa. Helenius have participated in most of Aalborgs matches (lack of better alternative), but he's also spend much time as a substitute on the bench. Hopefully he gets much better in the spring season of the Superliga

Love this photo. Strange photo. Helenius looks like Stifler from the "American Pie" movies (no comparison)

Andreas Cornelius were debated last summer as a possible signing. Instead Cardiff bought him and paid a lot of money. AV bought Helenius and paid a quite small transfer fee. You should be happy with that deal, even though Helenius almost ain't playing. According to danish media Cornelius one of the coming days, are making a transfer back to FC Copenhagen. Apparently FC Copenhagen pays about 2,5-3,0 mill. £ which is a transfer record in Scandinavia. Cardiff on the other hand still looses a lot of money. The paid about 6,5-7,0 £ when they bought a heavily overrated Cornelius.

Impressive start. You should be ahead

Very tough game ahead without doubt. I predict a draw, but in order to manage that it requires a very good performance from the entire team. Agbonlahor got the skills to punish Liverpools questionable defence. Really looking forward to see the game. Nice winter weather in England by the way. In Aalborg, Denmark, where I'm living, it's been snowing in the last 24 hrs.

Shit

Congrats' Helenius! Come on Villa, you should really be winning this game.

As mentioned many times it's very difficult moving to the Premier League from the danish league. Okore seems to make it, because he got the necessary strenght and stamina. I don't agree that moving to the dutch league might have been better. The dutch league is getting weaker and weaker, while the danish league is getting better. The danish league is almost at the same level as the dutch. If Copenhagen played against Ajax I guess Copenhagen would be victorius. In my opinion Helenius might benefit from a loan spell in the Championship. Perhaps but the Dutch League is still far more heavily scouted then the Danish League. If you impress in the Dutch league you are far more likely to attract a better club then you are by impressing in the Danish League. You think he should be at a bigger club than Villa? Of course not. Many Aalborg BK supporters were very surprised when Helenius was sold to AV. This transfer came as a total surprise. The main reasons why many Aalborg supporters doubted whether Helenius had what is takes to make a impact in PL, is due to Helenius' lack of stamina/strenght, pace and ability in the air. In previous transfer periods clubs such as Turin (not Juventus), Sporting Lissabon and turkish clubs tried to buy Helenius. Some Aalborg BK supporters suggested that Helenius might been better off going to Belgium/The Netherlands. However belgian/dutch football ain't better that the danish league even though that they got bigger clubs. I really hope that Helenius proves the critics wrong. But as every Aalborg BK supporters have mentioned many times on this board, Helenius weren't at PL level when AV bought him. Personally I think that italian football suits Helenius better. Italian football are more tactical and less demanding compared to PL. Yesterday Aalborg BK manager Kent Nielsen told danish media that he weren't surprised by Helenius' lack of success. I guess Helenius might benefit if loaned out to a Championship club. According to Helenius' agent he is ready to be loaned out.

You got a point. Swansea are struggling. It seems as they are having a hard time competing in two tournaments (PL and Europe League). I don't know why, but it seems as they are giving the european challenge a real chance. Swansea looks a bit tired. Without Nathan Dyer and Michu they are without two key players. I predict that AV at least gets a draw. The chance of winning the game should be quite good. Teams play their way back into form when they visit Villa Park. It is probably one of the first dates other team's look for when the fixtures are released. You are usually guarenteed points playing away to us. I know you are struggling at Villa Park. However I'm convinced that you're winning this crucial game. Swansea are in poor form and without Dyer and Michu they lack firepower in front. Swansea likes possession, but I don't see that as a problem. Even if Swansea are up 75/25 in possession that ain't neccessary a bad thing. It's quite obvious that Swansea don't got the squad to compete domestically and internationally. As I've seen AV this season you should benefit from counterattacks today. Swanseas central defense is vulnerable when they have to defend. Hope Lambert chooses a 4-5-1 formation with Agbonlahor as the sole attacker. You're going to need pace up front and from the wingers.

You got a point. Swansea are struggling. It seems as they are having a hard time competing in two tournaments (PL and Europe League). I don't know why, but it seems as they are giving the european challenge a real chance. Swansea looks a bit tired. Without Nathan Dyer and Michu they are without two key players. I predict that AV at least gets a draw. The chance of winning the game should be quite good.

As mentioned many times it's very difficult moving to the Premier League from the danish league. Okore seems to make it, because he got the necessary strenght and stamina. I don't agree that moving to the dutch league might have been better. The dutch league is getting weaker and weaker, while the danish league is getting better. The danish league is almost at the same level as the dutch. If Copenhagen played against Ajax I guess Copenhagen would be victorius. In my opinion Helenius might benefit from a loan spell in the Championship.

According to Helenius' agent Mads Bach Lund, if Helenius is no way near of playing time after the christmas/new years eve program, Helenius is ready to be loaned out. If Helenius can benefit from playing time like in the Championship, Helenius got no problem with that.

I hope you're going to win this very important away game. Stoke are a very good home team, buf it AV can handle Stokes dangerous set pieces I guess you're winning the game. Hope PL chooses Benteke and Kozak up front. Even though Benteke laks confidence I won't be surprised if he becomes matchwinner. Result: 2-0 Villa

I´ve read that some of you of course are considering whether Helenius got what it takes to make it into PL level. I´ve seen some of your games and it´s obvious that you´ve got problems creating chances and scoring goals. Especially at Villa Park you´re struggling, but as mentioned earlier you got to be patient regarding Helenius. He certainlly ain´t ready to be in the starting eleven yet, it´s a huge step coming from the danish league to PL. Despite being very tall Helenius most obvious weaknesses have always been his lack of strenght and his ability in the air. In fact Helenius scored his first goal from a header in his game nr. 95 at Aalborg BK! Helenius knows his strenghts and weaknesses, and in recent years he worked hard to gain more strenght and developing to a decent header. Of course Helenius needs to work even harder if to make it at PL level. Coming directly from the danish league it´s very hard to get used to PL. It takes a lot to get used to the pace and physics of the PL. Okore is another story, he got the strenght and stamina to become a key figure in AVs defence when he gets ready again. The tactital formation might also be a problem for Helenius. At Aalborg Helenius played alongside a fellow striker in a 4-4-2 system (unlikely most managers Kent Nielsen always plays with 2 forwards). Helenius certainlly ain´t a typical "in the box" striker. He likes to get involved in the play and use his deadly shot from outside the penalty box. I can tell that Aalborg are doing very well despite selling Helenius. Many feared the coming season as Helenius were a crucial player for the team in the last seasons. Despite that Aalborg BK have just finished the autumn half of the danish superliga as runner up. 18 out of 33 games have been played so far and Aalborg BK are the most impressive danish team (considering a very low budget compared to the main rivales). The main stream danish media as always thrash talk Aalborg BK, they can´t like anything outside Copenhagen. Despite being currently runners up Aalborg are facing the opposite problem of AV. Aalborg BK are struggling away, but are instead very impressive at home in Aalborg. In fact we haven´t lost a home game since 4. April. It´s gonna be interesting following AV in the coming matches. I wish you all the best of luck and a merry christmas and a happy new year

Congratulations! What a great start of the new season. Amazing win at Emirates!

Good luck with the new season! Despite a tough start I guess AV are going to have a good season. It's difficult to predict but I guess AV will finish in the middle of Premier League (9-11). The team should have learned a lot from the struggle last season. Combined with the fact that you still got Benteke and have made some great signings things are looking better. Although I really don't like Okores former club FC North Zealand, I believe Okore from the start will make a huge impact in the central defence. As mentioned earlier you got to be patient regarding Helenius, who ain't ready to play at PL level. Given time Helenius might be a very good addition to the squad. I am really looking forward following AV in the coming season.

Aalborg have won the first two games of the new Superliga season (2-1 against FC Copenhagen and Esbjerg). A few days ago Aalborg bought a striker from FC Fredericia (team from the second best danish league). Aalborg bought Anders K. Jacobsen (he really don't like his middlename Kvindebjerg - which in english means "women mountain"!) The transfer fee is apparently between 40-50.000 pounds. Aalborg are still looking for a Helenius replacement, but it's difficult given the clubs financial problems. Hopefully Anders K. Jacobsen can step up to the challenge. Like Helenius Anders K. Jacobsen needs time to adjust to a higher level. In Denmark Anders K. Jacobsen is well known for his nickname "AK 47".

Congrats Aalborg! Hope you guys can keep it up. Who are the two young attackers taking over in Helenius' departure? Have the club invested much of the fee at all? The club haven't yet bough a replacement. Since Helenius were sold the others strikers in the squad have got the chance. Jeppe Curth scored the first goal in the match. Curth have been in and out of the team in years. Curth is most known from scoring a memorable header at Old Trafford in 2008 (Champions League). Soeren Frederiksen became matchwinner scoring the decisive goal. Ironically S. Frederiksen signed with Aalborg in january, after FC Copenhagen didn't use him at all.

The danish league (Superliga) started this weekend. Aalborg tonight very surprisingly won 2-1 at home against the reign champions FC Copenhagen. Both Aalborg goals were scored by our attackers, which have been hugely debated sine Helenius was sold.

Aalborg just lost 3-0 in the Europa League qualifiction in Tbilisi against FC Dila Gori from Georgia. Our attack is awful without Helenius. Soeren Frederiksen and Jeppe Curth in the attack both played a miserable match. I guess my grandfather could have done better. Questionable defending and awful attackers explains the disastrous result.

If Benteke are sold AV needs to buy a replacement. Helenius is not ready to be in the starting eleven. Helenius need to spend some more time in the gym in order to pull on some more muscles. Helenius is very determined and focused, but it´s a huge step coming from the danish Superliga to Premier League. Okore on the other hand will probably be a key player in the defence from day one. Okore is big and strong and technically gifted. In his first season at AV I guess Helenius might get a few appearances in the PL as a substitute. Given time Helenius might develop into a very good striker, but he certainly needs time to adjust to PL. Aalborg haven´t yet bought a replacement after Helenius were sold. To be honest our attack is awful without Helenius and everyone really hope that the club soon signs a decent replacement. It´s not easy finding another striker as Aalborgs economy is very bad (very different from Okores former club FC North Zealand which in the moment almost are signing a new player each day). Aalborg soon plays the first game of the new season. Next thursday they are playing in the second qualifying round of the Europa League. Aalborg have been drawn against FC Dila Gori from Georgia (Stalin were born in Gori). Last year FC Dila Gori knocked another danish team (Aarhus) out of the competion so it´s certainlly going to be two very difficult games.

Being an Aalborg supporter I naturally have made comments in the Helenius thread. Both coming from the danish league I would also like to give a short review about J. Okore. Helenius are not ready to be in the starting eleven, but I think Okore are going to be a regular starter in Villas central defence from day one. Okore are quite young, but very experienced despite that. Okore are fast and got great stamina and strenght. Most impressive Okore is technically gifted, in many ways he is a "modern defender". Okore already played a number of games at the danish national team, and he also impressed in Champions League, despite playing at a team who were slaughtered in CL. I really don't like Okores former club FC Nordsjaelland or FC North Zealand in english. It's a very small new team from the rich part of the northern outskirts of Copenhagen. When playing in Aalborg FC North Zealand are usually followed by "impressive" 0-5 away supporters! I guess people in northern Copenhagen are more interested in golf and tennis. Despite that FC North Zealand are very succesful, but it would be like if Wigan won Premier League! Hard to imagine.