bickster Posted November 3, 2006 Moderator Share Posted November 3, 2006 A round up of today’s titbits from Villa Park Firstly it appears that Gavin "the Destroyer" McCann is on the Mend. Martin O'Neill was today quoted as saying, "Gavin trained yesterday and he was back out there again this morning, so he's definitely on the mend. "We'll have to wait and see if there's any reaction and we'll have better idea tomorrow whether he'll be ready for the Blackburn game, but he's definitely getting there." It has to be said that Villa have sorely missed McCann’s ability to break up the play in the middle of the park and its no coincidence that the teams form has slumped in his absence. Hopefully he's over his calf injury and Villa can start getting on the winning ways again in the Blackburn game on Sunday. Blackburn are not without their own injury worries with Villa's former arch nemesis Gobbie Cabbage apparently ruled out for Sundays visitors, Blackburn are also reported as having a few other injury worries - something which their last defeat to West Ham has been blamed on. Nice of them to get their excuses in early Stilian Petrov has been omitted from Bulgaria's next squad by manager Hristo Stoichkov, no real shock here as Petrov is on record as saying that he won't play for his national team again whilst the current manager remains in charge. But from a Villa point of view this is good news as we could have been facing Petrov being banned from the domestic game had Stoichkov named him. At least Stoichkov has decided not to invoke further ire from the player and he'll be free to play for the Villa - which I'm sure most will agree is excellent news. Teddy Sherringham has now denied that he was approached by Villa before the transfer window closed in August, he’s claiming the quote was a total misquote and nothing of the sort happened - glad that’s been cleared up then! And finally rumours appear to be circulating in Stoke that our own Lee Hendrie who is currently on loan at the Britannia Stadium has a 24 hour release clause in his loan contract, which is not pleasing to the Stoke fans but is good news for us if we should need him back at Villa Park. Lil Lee claims to know nothing but that’s hardly a shock to anyone is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddie_devlin1874 Posted November 3, 2006 Share Posted November 3, 2006 We really do miss McCann in that midfield role, maybe it worth looking for someone else in the January sale to fill his role when he injured. I notice that if Bulgaria calls up Petrov but refuse to play, he get ban playing for us? Surely it’s against his human rights? This has already happened with that Chelsea player who is forced to play for France. How did this rule come about? It makes no sense, why play someone who is not going to give 100%? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickster Posted November 3, 2006 Author Moderator Share Posted November 3, 2006 I notice that if Bulgaria calls up Petrov but refuse to play, he get ban playing for us? Surely it’s against his human rights? This has already happened with that Chelsea player who is forced to play for France. How did this rule come about? It makes no sense, why play someone who is not going to give 100%? The rule was introduced to stop clubs putting pressure on players to withdraw from Internationals - FIFA looking after its own interests if you like - AKA Ryan Giggs syndrome but a certain French coach and others have abused it. At least Stoichkov has gone down the sensible route and not tried to anger Petrov by picking him despite his obvious retirement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddie_devlin1874 Posted November 3, 2006 Share Posted November 3, 2006 Thanks for clearing that up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TGM Posted November 5, 2006 Share Posted November 5, 2006 Good to see him back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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