Rich_D

Hutton attracting interest
Villa and Everton thought to be chasing Spurs right-back
 

Skysports.com understands Aston Villa and Everton are lining up moves for Tottenham defender Alan Hutton.

The Scotland international has not been included in the Spurs squad for their last few games amid reports of a bust-up after the FA Cup defeat at Fulham.
Hutton's lack of action has fuelled speculation over his future and Villa and Everton are thought to be long-term admirers.

Both clubs will be looking to bolster their squads in the summer and right-back is an area they could be targeting.

Hutton has been at Tottenham since January 2008 and had a spell on loan with Sunderlandlast season.

He had appeared to be establishing himself as the first-choice right-back at White Hart Lane earlier this season before falling out of favour more recently.

Harry Redknapp has a wealth of defensive options when everybody is fit, while Kyle Walker could also come into contention for a right-back berth next term after earning rave reviews for his performances during his current loan spell with Villa.

http://www.skysports...6786450,00.html

Any one take Hutton instead of Walker?

Just back from the game. Quality match especially second half. I'm not sure but am I the only one thinking we may need a little more than that against Man city next week. Also im thinking Young may have only played at the top of his game because Capello was in the crowd.

He probably didn't even know.

That was not Capello's first game watching Young though yet it was his stand out performance of the season so they do not add up.

I think it helped that the players were rested and look to have a very very good understand of each other now

CC squared (when healthy) for CB pairing please.

Next season yes. I think after todays performance it should be Dunne, Clark, Cuellar, Collins ranking

Friedel. Unused.

Walker. Excellent both in attack and in defence when needed.

Dunne. Solid.

Clark. Solid and comfortable.

Baker. Did well

Albrighton. Looked lively and needs to play on the right.

NRC. Solid as he has been since Houllier joined.

Pires. Very slow start but created some chances and played well.

Downing. Played well as ever but looks more comfortable on the right, which is worrying as Albrighton, unless it is very open, doesn't look comfortable on the left.

Young. Top performance. Got rid of the snood as well. Coudl have scored more but hey ho.

Bent. Unlucky not to be on the scoresheet.

Delph. Comfortable but untroubled.

Petrov. As above.

Heskey. Should have scored.

The point about Petrov refussing the armband...It was nice as well as respectful that Young offered the armband to him and obviously knows his role within the side.

Could, and maybe should, have been more than just 4 but it is a win and a lot of positives to take from the performance.

Left footed Pique?

Yes, I have said it.

I said it last night!

Good spot. He has used his time at LB very well as he now seem even more confident on the ball, doesn't mind taking it forward in to space and can pick a long pass (kind of anyway)

As I didn't see the match today, how did him and Dunne play together.

Complimented each other very well.

Clark was cool, calm and collected.

Dunne was solid.

However, Blackburn offered nothing in the form of a threat. Kean missed a trick not starting Kalinic as he loves scoring against us

Left footed Pique?

Yes, I have said it.

They have created no chances. We have missed all of ours. That is the only reason they are still in the match...because of US!

One of the best first half performances without scoring for a very long time. They have not had a sniff.

Solid at the back. Walker and Clark having very good games.

Pires is looking good (I was skeptical at first) but seems to be picking up the pace of the game.

Young looks lively.

Albrighton needs to be on the right.

Downing looks lively also.

Bent unlucky not to be on the score sheet.

Clark at CB. Plus point

Albrighton on the wing. Plus point.

Young on the wing. Plus point.

Downing in the centre. Plus point (for me)

Pires behind Bent. Strange but will give it a go.

More plus points that negative ones from the selection. Lets get 3 points. UTV

Pires in the hole then? or CM?

Clark and Baker played together against Blackburn in the cup. IIRC they did not put a full strength team out, however, they did not have a youthful looking team like us.

Walker Dunne Clark Young

If Young is fit, then above, if not, Baker will start.

Luke Young has been training all week. Match fit? Doubt it. However, I would like to see

------------Friedel

Walker Dunne Clark Young

-----------NRC Bradley

Albrighton Young Downing

-------------Bent

and we won't have too many complaints.

I lol'd.

In what way?

I meant it that people will still complain that Downing is on the right even though we have Young in his best position with a partner to Bent.

Stewart Downing says Villa are all bright on the right - after forging an impressive partnership with full-back Kyle Walker.

Following Saturday's 1-1 draw at Blackpool, Downing and Walker earned plaudits from Seasiders boss Ian Holloway who said the right-sided duo "looked like they were on fast-forward."

The 26-year-old winger is enjoying his swift attacking link-ups with Walker, whose overlapping runs from the right-back position have become an important feature of Villa's play.

Both players earned call-ups to the England squad for last week's friendly in Denmark and Downing hopes their impressive form can continue.

"We are working well together," he said. "It is obviously the first time I have played with him before but he looks like a really good player.

"Kyle seems to be getting better and better with each game and when he drives forward he is able to give me a few more options on the overlap which is good for me.

"I am enjoying playing with him and we are playing quite well together."

Villa have a free weekend as they wait to discover who their FA Cup fifth round opponents will be, with Manchester City and Notts County replaying on Sunday.

Downing is confident the claret and blues will retain match sharpness for their return to action against Blackburn in the Barclays Premier League a week on Saturday.

"It is always a tough game against Blackburn and we will have to make sure we keep our sharpness," he added.

"They are a tough side to play against home and away so we are confident we straight into them from the off.

"With everyone back fit, playing and fighting for places it will be good for the confidence of the team building up to the game."

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2295433,00.html

Looks like he is there to stay. Get Young on the left and we won't have too many complaints.

Gudjohnsen didn't get a yellow for it though.

I know he didn't. Maybe by the law he should have, but then people would complain that football is getting soft.

It is a grey area, like a lot of things in football at this moment in time.

At it to the list of offside (second phase), challenging the keeper and over all contact within. But that is for a different place.

Makoun tackle.

Gudjohnsen tackle.

Both 2 footed lunges showed all studs. Difference? Makoun got 0% of the ball. Gudjohnsen got 100% of the ball.

Makoun = red. Gudjohnsen = yellow (for dangerous play but at the end of the day he got the ball)

If Gudjohnsen got sent off, a lot of people would be complaining that football has gone soft.

If Makoun had not got sent off, we would not be talking about the Gudjohnsen tackle. Fact.

Makoun has shown himself to be a really top notch player in the short time he has been with us. Some of his play really shows he has played at a higher level than us and this backs up the comments made before he came of his experience and champions league etc etc etc.

Which is why the "tackle" on Saturday was so disappointing as you would think a player of his level would not have made it really and which is why I agree with woodytom.

For me it cannot be excused with "he needs time to settle"

I see your point, however, just because someone is a quality player, has so much experience, has and still can play at a better level he is doing, it does not mean that he can not have 1 bad second during a match.

It happened, it shouldn't have happened. Lets all move on eh?

General.

What is the situation with wearing claret shorts with the home strip, for away matches? Surely is this has to happen, the away kit should be used. At the end of the day, fans pay a lot of money for shirts (mostly home but away ones too) and we do not get to see our side wearing it.

I know Randy like his traditions and that is why we will always have simple designed kits that are claret body and blue sleeves but even in NFL, they use the away jerseys when needed.

Stoke, Wolves, Liverpool, Utd away are the only times I remember in the league.

PS its interesting to see the effect Craig Gardner is having with our city cousins, with an extended run and the same could be said for Gary Cahill and Zat Knight.....These players are all featuring in teams above us.

Sidwell and Hughes were deemed as rubbish, yet we could'nt get a home win against them.....HHHHHHHMMMMMMNNNN

Craig Gardner was always a good player. He just never had a consistent chance due to our manager. Whenever he played, he always gave his all and showed glimpses of his potential. Now, all he is doing is getting a good run of games and fulfilling that potential.

Sidwell is now getting to play in his preferred position, which is attacking midfield but where he also helps out the rest of the midfield. He was played as a holding midfielder or similar which is not his best position.

Just got back from the game.

Brief run down of what I thought..

Rio MOTM by a mile.

Makoun = The usual neat passing game and a rash challange

Downing = Superb 1st half rubbish 2nd.

Gabby = Great finish still not a winger.

Bent = Did anyone actually pass to him ?

Ash = So much better when switched back to the wing.

Pretty much this, plus my edit in bold

Marking poor at the corner.

Walker, as ever, very positive/good going forward.

Clark was comfortable. Like him on the left as he has to play football more and this will only benefit his game for when he becomes our CB next season.

NRC solid as he has been in recent games. Looks like the player he once was before MON.

Makoun played well again, more to come from him.

Downing made and took up some good positions, unlucky to not get on the score sheet, could and maybe should have had an end result at times when in those good positions. Good overall game.

Young was frustrated and frustrating.

why the 19th of march?!

3 match ban

However, that is Bolton away due to the FA Cup (If it is included)

why the 19th of march?!

3 match ban

Whoever is playing on the right wing needs to take Carney on at all opportunities.

Walker will. Downing will try