Bleacher Report - Articles by William Cooper

Oscar De La Hoya vs Manny Pacquiao: The Pac-Man Could Cause An Upset

William Cooper — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:41:32 -0500

35 stoppage wins in his career, across five different weight classes would suggest that Manny Pacquiao can hang with the best of them, even as the smaller man (which he has been for most of his career).

The question is; whether the 12lb, added by Pacquiao for this fight, will curb the fluid movement that he is so renowned for.

Frantic speed is Pacquiao's trademark, and it's a gamble to beef up to this extent for the fight. In adding so much bulk he risks losing his main weapon against the more methodical De La Hoya.

In De La Hoya's Middleweight fight against Bernard Hopkins, Oscar found it difficult to get near, the much larger, Hopkins. When he did get close enough his power was severely lacking.

Over the years, when there's been such a marked difference in size, it has taken a supreme performance from the smaller man to defeat the big man.

Pacquiao however, is unlike any other fighter.

His style and the sheer amount of angles he can throw combinations from will make him a very difficult opponent for the 35 year old De La Hoya.

De La Hoya will be able to muscle Pacquiao around the ring when in close, but if Pacquiao is at the top of his game, he could certainly make the larger, and older De La Hoya work very hard to chase him down.

In the Pac-Man's last fight, coming up from Super Featherweight to Lightweight, he took David Diaz apart, ending it with a ninth round TKO.

Over his career, Pacquiao has consistently stepped up through the weight classes to become a four weight World Champion, and has still been able to impose his distinctive style on opponents, regardless of the size differential.

In the press conferences as we approach fight night, Pacquiao looks, to me, more and more like a Welterweight. Unfortunately there's no way he can gain three and a half inches in height before he steps into the ring, which is a problem of course. But the closer we get to the fight, the more I feel we could see an upset in this one.

The great Steve Bunce suggested the match-up reminds him of Hagler Vs. Leonard at Middleweight in 1987. In the lead up to the super-fight, everyone was saying Hagler couldn't be beat by the smaller Sugar-Ray. But on the night, Leonard came up with one of the all time best performances to win the title, having never fought at Middleweight before.

Remember “Sugar” Shane Mosley moved up two divisions to fight Oscar in 2000, Mosley outfought the Golden Boy, with quick hands and illusive head movement.

If Pacquiao can keep his speed, retain at least some of the power that he had at Super Featherweight and Lightweight, he can cause one of the greatest upsets in boxing since that night in 1987.

With his undoubted pedigree, it's a distinct possibility.

Aston Villa 1-2 MSK Zilina: Villa Advance Despite Shock Defeat

William Cooper — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:06:47 -0500

MŠK Žilina shocked Villa Park with two goals in three minutes to take a 2-0 lead after 18 minutes. The Slovakian League runners up hung on for a famous victory over Aston Villa in UEFA Cup Group F.

Results from elsewhere in Group F mean Villa will advance to the knock-out stages of the UEFA Cup. A win for Villa, away at Hamburg, on the Dec. 17th would likely secure the top spot for Villa, and ensure an easier tie in the latter stages of the competition.

The first goal came when Zat Knight appeared to duck out of a routine header that would have cleared the Villa lines, Vladimir Leitner's crossed ball then skipped past Guzan and into the net. Guzan it has to be said should have done better with the first goal, but Zilina's second he could do nothing about.

On 18 minutes Peter Styvar capped a fine move by the Slovakian side. Adauto and Peter Pekarik combined for some sublime one-touch passing on the right, then Pekarik squared it into the path of Styvar, for the striker to coolly slot into the Villa net.

Aston Villa made eight changes to their starting line up for the visit of MŠK Žilina. 17 year old Academy striker Nathan Delfouneso made his first start for the club, and Nigel Reo-Coker was made captain for the night.

Villa got a foot hold in the match just after the half-hour mark, Marlon Harewood chested down a long ball from the back into the path of Nathan Delfouneso. Delfouneso, making his first start for Villa, rifled in on the half volley.

Zilina looked the stronger side for large parts of the game and had the lion share of possession throughout—Villa's makeshift central midfield, Mustapha Salifou and Isiah Osbourne, found it difficult to plug the gaps and disrupt the slick passing of Zilina's midfield.

Martin O'Neill upped the ante at the mid point of the second half, bringing on James Milner and Gareth Barry in midfield. Delfouneso was withdrawn on 75 minutes for another former Aston Villa academy starlet, Gabriel Agbonlahor, to give the Villa side a more familiar look as they searched for a goal.

Villa probed the Zilina flanks through Milner, Young, and Agbonlahor—The pressure didn't bring a goal, but it did bring a second yellow card for Leitner after a trip on Agbonlahor.

Villa looked a much better side with the introduction of Barry, Milner, and Agbonlahor and could have snatched an equaliser at the death, but Craig Gardner's header hit the post and the game ended in a loss for Villa, and an historic victory for MŠK Žilina.

Teams:

Aston Villa: Guzan, Gardner, Knight, Cuellar, Luke Young, Reo-Coker, Salifou (Barry, 68) Osbourne (Milner, 64), Ashley Young, Delfouneso (Agbonlahor, 75), Harewood.

Subs not used: Friedel, Laursen, Petrov, Clarke.

MSK Zilina: Pernis, Pekarik, Vomacka, Sourek, Leitner, Strba, Jez (Tesak, 92), Pecalka, Piacek, Adauto (Vladavic, 70), Styvar (Rilke, 85).

Subs not used: Seman, Karoglan, Belak, Poliacek

Lennox Lewis Will "Beat Up Bowe For Free"

William Cooper — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:54:28 -0500

Since his retirement in 2006, former Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis has faced constant questions about a comeback and has always laughed them off.

Recently however, Lewis was stirred by comments from another former Heavyweight champion, Riddick Bowe.

Bowe, who has been pretty low-profile over the last five years, is readying a comeback of his own—he will step into the ring on the Wladimir Klitschko v. Hasim Rahman undercard.

Bowe has “called out” Lewis to finally fight him. After the shenanigans that ensued over 15 years ago (Bowe, the WBC Heavyweight Champion at the time, dropped the title belt into the trash rather than face mandatory challenger Lewis) left Lewis to single-handedly salvage the Heavyweight division.

Lewis recently spoke to ESPN regarding Bowe's comments: "He waits until I am in retirement to call out my name." Obviously the Briton, is still riled by his rivalry with Bowe, adding: "I will come out of retirement to beat up that guy. I'll beat him up for free."

Current Heavyweight Champion, Vitali Klitschko, has spent almost three years trying to entice Lewis out of retirement, and into a return match. Klitschko's last loss came against Lewis in their first, and only, contest. The bout ended with a fifth-round stoppage due to a cut.

At 43 years old, it seems unlikely that Lewis will ever come out of retirement and grant Klitschko his wish. Lewis is financially secure and enjoying family life, not even a rumoured $40 million offer to get back in the ring with the Ukrainian drew him back to the sport.

Audley Harrison Wants a Fight Less Ordinary, Aims For David Haye

William Cooper — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:29:00 -0500

Former Olympic Super Heavyweight Champion, Audley Harrison, 37, steps back into the ring on Saturday and has set his sights, fairly optimistically, on an all British Heavyweight showdown with David Haye.

Harrison, who's career has been up and down, to say the least, looks to further redeem his failing professional career against the unbeaten Irishman, Martin Rogan in London this weekend.

After his loss to Michael Sprott in February 2007, Harrison has again clawed his way back into the British Heavyweight mix. Two wins against, fairly ordinary opponents, have thrust Audley back into the reckoning for British and European title shots.

David Haye announced his arrival on the World Heavyweight scene with an impressive knock-out win over Monte Barrett last month, and is looking to fight one (or both) of the Klitschkos for the big prize—the Heavyweight Championship of the world.

Harrison talks a great game, and suggests a fight with fellow Briton, David Haye is a real possibility. “He (Haye) has put himself in a position where he's a genuine threat to the Klitschkos”, said Harrison, “I don't think he'll fight both of them, though, and I honestly believe that by this time next year I'll be back on track and in a position to challenge him”.

Harrison has often felt the sharp end of the British press' daggers, but has remained positive in spite of it. He said this week: "Other people's negativity isn't going to get to me. My philosophy, my beliefs, and my determination haven't wavered. I still believe that I'm going to be Heavyweight Champion of the world before I walk away from this sport."

We've been hearing about Harrison's unending self belief, and his ability to become a World Champion since his gold medal win in Sydney eight and a half years ago. But the clock ticks on for the 37-year-old and so far his 23-3 record reads like a who's who of mediocrity.

Harrison, is already looking past the dangerous Rogan, who has five knockouts in ten straight wins, he says of Haye: "If he wins a world title and I do too, a unification fight would be common sense."

There are more than a couple of problems with Harrison's proposed British super fight though—Haye, although a true contender for the Heavyweight title, will be an outsider to beat either of the Klitschkos, this however is not as far fetched as the former Olympians claims that he'll be World Champion.

Saint-Etienne Finally Win; Lyon Splash Around For a Draw in French Ligue 1

William Cooper — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:13:20 -0500

Alain Perrin's Saint-Etienne broke their seven match losing streak with a 2-1 win over Nancy as PSG, Marseille, and Bordeaux all failed to capitalise on Lyon's goalless draw in a weather affected Ligue 1.

In Alain Perrin's third game in charge, Saint-Etienne looked like a completely different team. They started the game brightly with a new-look 4-3-3 formation.

Paulo Machado made Saint-Etienne's early enthusiasm count on eight minutes. The Portuguese midfield man curled in a superb free-kick from close to 30 yards out, for his first goal of the season.

Bafetimbi Gomis, who has struggled for any sort of form this season, missed a pair of chances to increase the lead in the first half hour. With only two goals to his name this season, Gomis looks ill at ease on le carré vert.

On 43 minutes, David Gigliotti added a second for Les Verts with a deft poke after a fine save from Nancy 'keeper Gennaro Bracigliano.

Saint-Etienne should have increased their lead to three on 55 minutes. Bracigliano hauled down Gigliotti in the box and was promptly given his marching orders, only for France International, Gomis to skew his spot kick wide, and further dent his fragile confidence.

Elsewhere in weather-beaten France, Toulouse parked the proverbial bus in front of their goal to stop Marseille. l'OM huffed and puffed, but their lack of invention and harmony in the final third left them with only a point.

After PSG's great result against Lyon last week, they went down to a Bruno Cheyrou goal at Rennes. The good form continued for Rennes. After their draw against Bordeaux last week they extended their unbeaten run to 14 games and go second in Ligue 1.

Rennes look increasingly like worthy contenders to put pressure on Lyon, while pre-season favourites for that role, PSG and Marseille, flounder in a mire of inconsistency.

Nice's game against Grenoble was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Nice remain in the top four, on equal points with Provence rivals, Marseille, who they face in the derby next weekend.

France's south coast was not the only place effected by adverse conditions—"It was a water polo match but we took a good point," Valenciennes, Rudy Mater exclaimed to l'’Equipe.

"It was a paddling pool and it was unplayable". A soggy Stade Gerland on Saturday night could have been compared to any number of water-based activities, as Lyon and Valenciennes drew 0-0.

Le Sac d'Oignon: Transfer News and Rumblings

Tottenham Hotspur are rumoured to be chasing Bordeaux striker Fernando Cavenaghi. Cavenaghi has spoken out about the rumoured £12 million bid. He said, "I do not know if Tottenham are really interested in signing me. If it's right, though, I will study this offer because they are a top English team."

Girondins president Jean-Louis Triaud scoffed at the rumours, saying, "For us, the question of Cavenaghi's departure this winter is not even being asked. It isn't a subject we are thinking about".

Marseille's defensive frailties are the subject of some pre-January speculation; OM's profligate defense has stirred club President, Papa Diouf to say, "The majority of people think we need to act in January to sort out or defensive problems and I tend to agree with them."

In the same interview, with l'Equipe, Diouf added, "If Ronald Zubar and El Ermine Erbate don't use these last few weeks of 2008 to show what they're are truly capable of, then yes, we can't rule out the signing of one, or even two new defenders".

Saturday Nov. 29th

AJ Auxerre   0-1 AS Monaco
Le Havre AC   0-2   FC Nantes
Le Mans UC72   2-0   SM Caen
Lille OSC   1-1   FC Lorient
Olympique Lyonnais   0-0   Valenciennes FC
OGC Nice   P-P   Grenoble Foot38
FC Sochaux-Montbéliard   0-0 Girondins de Bordeaux

Sunday Nov. 30th

AS Nancy Lorraine 1-2 AS Saint-Etienne

Toulouse FC 0-0 Olympique de Marseille

Stade Rennais 1-0 Paris Saint-Germain

Giuly the Lyon Tamer; Samuel Eto'o Dreams of Marseille: French Ligue 1 Roundup

William Cooper — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:39:44 -0500

Paris Saint-Germain defeated league leading Lyon in an enthralling contest, by way of a Ludovic Giuly header in the 25th minute. The Parisians victory in week 15 means they have beaten the three Champions League clubs in Ligue 1; Marseille, Bordeaux, and now Lyon.

Giuly, Makelele, and Stéphane Sessegnon again stepped up their performances against one of Le Championnat's “giants” to outclass the champions of France. PSG coach Paul Le Guen said: “It's good, but we can't stop here. We have to be even more vigilant, more focused, to not fall off the wagon, to not get carried away mentally, with the success.”

Le Guen's biggest test will be to get PSG beating the teams lower down the table, which they have been unable to do regularly thus far, having gone down to defeats by lowly St. Etienne, Grenoble, Monaco, and Toulouse so far this term.

This weekend though, Paris were fantastic. PSG kept Lyon at bay for the entire game at Parc des Princes.

Frustration got the better of the champions; Juninho, who was brought on for the unusually lacklustre Karim Benzema, was sent off in the 59th minute of the game for a maddeningly cantankerous swipe at a PSG defender.

Juninho's frustrations at his own aged performances this season have never been far from the surface, his usual starting role on the OL bench doesn't sit too well with the club's captain. When on the pitch in the capital, the 33-year-old looked a shadow of his former self and was unable to impact upon the game in any way other than his petulance.

Lyon have no such trouble in the Champions League, they sit on the cusp of qualification to the knockout stages. One of France's other big guns, Marseille, look like they will be eliminated from Europe's top competition at the first hurdle. They face a must win game against Liverpool in mid-week, a loss would leave Les Phoceéns 8pts behind the leaders in Group D.

Marseille were saved by Zenden's 92nd minute free kick in their 2-2 draw with Lille at the Velodrome on Sunday night. A comedy of errors saw OM fall behind 2-0 in the first half.

OM's rabid and unforgiving fans were none too impressed with last week's 3-2 home loss. Gerets' team needed to start this week's game well—they didn't and the Velodrome faithful turned on their team.

LOSC's first goal came from a corner, OM keeper Steve Mandanda, possibly still shaken from last week's capitulation, didn't command his area well enough and Lille starlet, Adil Rami, headed home from close range.

Then, to compound Marseille's first-half misery, Zubar's header wrong footed his own 'keeper for Bastos to nip in and score on 37 minutes.

A second half Marseille reshuffle led to an energetic opening to the second half. Samassa headed in on 47 minutes, but Marseille were fairly toothless until Zenden struck late on.

Lille could have won the game comfortably had it not been for Mandanda's sterling work in the OM goal. Gerets said: “Our hard work paid off in the second half, even though we're not showing the kind of form we were a couple of weeks ago. It's a point won.”

Marseille's point leaves them six points behind Lyon, who remain top, and one point behind second placed Nice in Ligue 1. PSG's fine win moves them up to fifth in the table, seven points back of the leaders.

Le Sac d'Oignon, Transfer News & Rumblings:

Better news for Les Phocéens this week though as Cameroon legend, Samuel Eto'o declared his love for the Mediterranean club. Eto'o grew up in Paris and has stated his desire to return to France in a playing capacity some day. Eto'o, currently playing for Barcelona, said: “I dream of playing for Marseille one day.”

Under-fire Arsenal defender, William Gallas has also been speaking this week about Ligue 1 and it's lure, Gallas told the Evening Standard: "I'd like to return to France for one or perhaps two seasons to finish my career."

The move could come as soon as January, however, with PSG being linked with a loan move for the French international.

It's all go in the PSG rumour mill this week; Midfielder Charles N'Zogbia could be leaving Newcastle for Paris St Germain in January according to the Daily Mirror. Other rumours in Tuttosport suggest Italian giants Juventus are tracking PSG's Jérôme Rothen. Football365.com has linked Juve with another PSG player, leading scorer Guillaume Hoarau.

Saturday 22nd Nov. 2008

Girondins de Bordeaux 1-1   Stade Rennais
SM Caen   1-0   AJ Auxerre
Grenoble Foot38   0-0   Le Havre AC
FC Lorient   1-0 Toulouse FC
AS Saint-Étienne 0-1 OGC Nice
Valenciennes FC   2-2   FC Sochaux-Montbéliard

Sunday 23rd Nov. 2008

AS Monaco 3-0 Le Mans UC 72

FC Nantes 0-1 AS Nancy Lorraine

Olympique de Marseille 2-2 LOSC Lille

French Ligue 1 Round Up: Alain Perrin, Damien Comolli, and le Beau Jeu

William Cooper — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:02:41 -0500

France's Ligue 1 entered it's 14th round this week. Lyon increased their lead at the top as Marseille faltered and St. Etienne's new coach will need a miracle to turn around their dismal season.

Going into round 14, St. Etienne had lost five games in a row, and languished one point off the bottom of the table. Their 3-0 home defeat by Stade Rennais last weekend was the last straw and spelled the end for head coach Laurent Roussey.

Roussey was shown the door to make way for a new coaching team headed by former Olympique Lyon and Portsmouth manager Alain Perrin. Perrin led Lyon to a domestic double last year, but left the seven times champions after just one season.

Perrin joins France's most successful club days after the appointment of new sporting director, Damien Comolli. Comolli of course is a former Arsene Wenger protégé who crashed and burned as director of football at Tottenham.

Les Verts' new management team got off to a less than auspicious start, losing 3-0 against an impressive looking Lille side.

Perrin had less than a week to prepare his team for Lille—and it showed. St. Etienne were devoid of any confidence and went down without any real resistance. Luck wasn't on their side against Lille but, as the saying goes, you make your own luck in football.

Before the game Perrin said: "We will need a bit of time. Confidence comes with good results and good results come with confidence". So I'm not too sure about M. Perrin's logic, but seemingly it's a vicious circle.

Lorient's late raid at the Stade Velodrome snatched all three points from Marseille. L'OM will be seething after leading the game 2-0 until the 77th minute, they then let Lorient back into the game. The visitors went on to score three in 10 minutes for an unlikely victory. Marseille now slip back to seven points behind the leaders.

Bordeaux's recent good form had seen them climb to third in Le Championnat, the Girondins had won five of their last seven, taking 17 points from a possible 19. Bordeaux were unable to gain any ground on Lyon though, bravely going down 2-1 in Sunday night's thrilling game thanks to goals from Karim Benzema and Kim Källström.

A late rally from Bordeaux led by Argentinian sensation Fernando Cavenaghi's eighth goal of the season set hearts a-fluttering, but Lyon hung on to win what could be a very important game in their chase for an eighth consecutive Ligue 1 title.

André-Pierre Gignac scored his seventh and eighth goals of the season for Toulouse in their 2-0 win. His second was a cracking goal. Check it out here

Guillaume Hoarau's impressive partnership with Ludovic Giuly continued, as PSG swept aside Le Havre 3-1, Hourau scoring two against his former club.

Le sac d'oignon, transfer news:

Lyon striker, Karim Benzema is the latest striker to be linked with a move away from Ligue 1. A host of Europeans teams (Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Barcelona) have recently been rumoured to be admirers of the player.

OL have so far stymied any attempted approach by installing a €100 million release clause in Benzema's contract. This has put off Italian giants, AC Milan, who were chasing the French International. Milan's managing director, Adriano Galliani has said: “He’s too expensive. I think he will stay at Olympique Lyon”.

Bordeaux's Yoann Gourcuff, currently on loan from Milan, is the main catalyst for Laurent Blanc's energetic team, and is at the centre of a transfer tug of war between Lyon and Bourdeaux. Lyon's president is quoted as saying: “He (Gourcuff) is a player that interests Lyon, whatever the price”.

Ligue 1 Results:

Saturday November 15 2008

AJ Auxerre 1-0 FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
Le Havre AC 1-3 Paris Saint-Germain
Le Mans UC72 1-0 Valenciennes FC
Olympique Marseille 2-3 FC Lorient
AS Nancy-Lorraine 1-1 SM Caen
Toulouse FC 2-0 Grenoble Foot38

Sunday November 16 2008

OGC Nice 2-1 FC Nantes
Stade Rennais 2-1 AS Monaco
Olympique Lyon 2-1 Girondins de Bordeaux

Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa: Gabby Agbonlahor Exposes Brittle Arsenal

William Cooper — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 10:35:38 -0500

Gabriel Agbonlahor's late goal secured all three points for Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, and dealt another blow to Arsenal's slim title hopes.

Villa took the lead on 70 minutes when an Ashley Young cross, aimed for Agbonlahor, was headed into his own net by Gael Clichy.

10 minutes later, while Arsenal were searching for an equaliser, Villa hit them on the break.

Aston Villa skipper, Martin Laursen, launched a long ball forward which Agbonlahor latched onto. The Villa striker eased past a flimsy Gallas challenge to rifle the ball into the bottom corner.

The Midlanders were in fine form after a string of disappointing results in the Premier League. Villa came out of the blocks quickly and could, perhaps should, have been one up in the first half.

Ashley Young was brought down by Theo Walcott in Arsenal's box, Mike Riley having no other option but to award a penalty to the visitors. Young stepped up for the ensuing penalty, but Almunia was equal to it and made a fine save.

Martin O'Neill's game plan was just about perfect on this occasion. Villa made full use of their pacey front men, Young and Agbonlahor, to hit Arsenal on the counter attack, time and time again.

Martin O'Neill said: "We were magnificent and the players were very strong mentally today. I thought we were brilliant because it was a case of the players staying strong, being positive and having a real belief that we could win.”

The result adds to Arsenal's woes this season, after a fantastic result over Manchester United last week, they have seemingly returned to their inconsistent selves and seem unlikely to mount any concerted title challenge this season.

O'Neill's Villa side continue to look likely to challenge for Champions League qualification come the end of the season, and are now on 23 points—level with Arsenal.

O'Neill re-emphasised Villa's belief that they can compete with the top teams like Arsenal, he said: “Today there was more than a great resilience about the side. We were absolutely majestic. We played wonderful football and deserved to win the game."

Randy Lerner and Martin O'Neill Bring the Buzz Back to Aston Villa

William Cooper — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:14:31 -0500

On Aug. 4, 2006, Martin O'Neill OBE was named the new manager at Aston Villa. The times before O'Neill and Lerner seem like a lifetime ago, and it's now unimaginable that the second city's biggest club would be in the position they now find themselves in.

"I am well aware of the history of this football club," said O'Neill. "Trying to restore it to its days of former glory seems a long ways away, but why not try? It is nearly 25 years since they won the European Cup but that is the dream."

Aston Villa's history is a long and storied one.

Former Aston Villa FC chairman William McGregor is credited with creating league football as we now know it. In 1881 Scotsman McGregor organised a meeting with England's other leading clubs, out of which was born the English Football League.

Aston Villa's more recent history is patchy at best. In 1982 Villa won their European Cup title, and a miserable quarter century followed.

The sale of Aston Villa to American billionaire Randy Lerner in 2006 was a watershed moment for Villa fans. No longer would their club be in the cold hands of octogenarian "Deadly" Doug Ellis. In his stead a young, progressive, and passionate billionaire stepped in, and the club was almost immediately transformed.

While Lerner took the club's off-field business into the 21stcentury, Martin O'Neill transformed Villa on the field.

“We swapped Milan Baros for John Carew and brought in Ashley Young for a lot of money," said O'Neill. "He has gone on to at least double his value. The two of them have been godsends.”

Villa's youth system has been productive for some years, and Doug Ellis must get credit for that. Local boy Gabriel Agbonlahor is the epitome of what a well-funded youth system can achieve, and adding Petrov, Reo-Coker, Curtis Davies, Young, and Carew to what was already a squad with great potential really seized the moment for O'Neill and his young Villa side.

This season Villa have, until recently, looked a threat to challenge for a place in the top four and a spot in next year's Champions League.

“The Champions League would be more realistic this time around than last season when we were talking about it," said Villa's former captain Gareth Barry. "And if we keep talking about it then we’ll find ourselves in line for a place."

“We’ll fancy ourselves but it’s a massive step as the top four has been the top four for a while now,” Barry said.

Villa look like the most likely candidates to challenge those teams for that coveted fourth spot in the Premier League, but there's still work to be done if they are to attain it.

With January around the corner and with it the re-opening of the transfer window, Lerner's deep pockets may well be called upon to strengthen the squad. With O'Neill's success in the past it seems likely to persuade the manager and chairman to once again dip into the market.

“One of the two or three best pieces of business we did was in January 2007. It has turned out brilliantly," O'Neill said.

Villa's 100 percent record in this season's UEFA Cup “group of death” proves they have the wherewithal to compete against Europe's elite. Back-to-back victories over Ajax and Slavia Prague put Villa in an optimum position to advance to the latter stages of this year's UEFA Cup.

A mouth-watering game against Bundesliga high-flyers Hamburg is up-coming for Villa in the UEFA Cup, and it's a test the Midlanders will surely relish.

In the words of Gareth Barry: “The buzz is back at Villa."

Slavia Prague 0-1 Aston Villa: Villa Hang on for Second UEFA Win

William Cooper — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:06:44 -0500

Aston Villa continued their 100 percent record in Europe this season, with a 1-0 win at Slavia Prague in Group F of the UEFA Cup.

Villa's goal came on 26 minutes courtesy of John Carew. Steve Sidwell played a neat one-two with Ashley Young, then hit a shot goalwards that deflected off Carew and left Vaniak helpless in the Slavia goal.

Two minutes later, Ashley Young curled a free kick against the post. Villa dominated the first half and Carew should have added to his first goal but his finishing was lacking as he squandered two gilt edge opportunities in the Slavia box.

An impressive record thus far this season for Villa means that one more good result in the UEFA Cup group stage will see Martin O'Neill's team progress to the 32 team knock-out phase.

O'Neill made wholesale changes from Villa's defeat at St. James' Park on Monday, there were six changes in all. Brad Guzan came in for Friedel in goal to make only his second appearance for Aston Villa.

Guzan was called upon early when Curtis Davies and Zat Knight parted like the Red Sea to let Tomas Jarolim in. Jarolim fired a shot low to Guzan's left, which the American saved smartly with a strong left hand.

Two more half chances followed for Slavia, but Guzan was up to the task making some decent saves, the American 'keeper looked confident all night and marshaled the rather shaky and inexperienced looking center back pairing of Davies and Knight.

Villa's left flank looked dangerous in the first half. Ashley Young worked well with Gabriel Agbonlahor and provided pace that will frighten any team in this year's UEFA cup.

An exciting second half saw the home team throw bodies forward in search of the illusive equaliser. Guzan again made several fine saves to keep the points for Villa, with Jarolim the main threat as he launched a rasping shot towards the Villa goal, but the Villa stopper was up to the task and denied the Czech league leaders.

Villa were penned in their own half for most of the last half hour, and Carew and Agbonlahor did little to relieve the pressure. Carew's lazy tendencies reared their ugly head as he increasingly seemed unable to hold the ball up in attacking areas when his team were under pressure.

Desperate defending and time wasting saw out the last few minutes, and in the end Aston Villa will be more than satisfied with the one goal win, and look very likely to advance to the business end of the UEFA Cup.

Aston Villa-Ajax: Ashley Young's Fine Display Returns UEFA Cup Joy to Villa Park

William Cooper — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:06:53 -0400

A fine display from Ashley Young at Villa Park gave Martin O'Neill's side the best possible start in their UEFA cup campaign, beating Ajax 2-1.

Villa started at a high tempo, whilst Ajax looked nervous early on. Villa's fast start and early dominance paid off when Ashley Young whipped over a corner for skipper Martin Laursen to head home on eight minutes.

While Villa controlled large parts of the first half, Ajax worked their way back into the game and equalised on 24 minutes when Thomas Vermaelen rose ahead of three Ajax teammates to head in from Urby Emanuelson's corner.

Villa were without John Carew, who is suffering from an illness, and long-term injury casualty Wilfred Bouma. The Midlanders missed the talismanic Norwegian up front, and Gabby Agbonlahor was asked to fill in as the central striker.

Villa's makeshift front three of Young, Milner, and Agbonlahor threatened every time they got on the ball. Milner and Young's pace and delivery caused problems for Ajax all night. Agbonlahor worked hard in an unfamiliar role at the centre of Villa's three-pronged attack before suffering a nasty looking injury with two minutes to go.

The name Ajax is synonymous with great young talent. Names like Gullit, Kanu, Seedorf, Bergkamp, and the great Johan Cruyff have all rolled off Ajax's production line and moved onto superstardom. Ajax's current manager, Marco van Basten, is also a product of the now legendary Ajax youth system.

The most recent wonderkid to play for Ajax is Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. The Dutchman scored 70 goals in 82 games in his first two seasons at the Amsterdam club, but so far this season he has struggled to regain anything like that kind of form, scoring only two goals this season.

Huntelaar's poor form continued at Villa Park tonight. He looked off the pace and very rarely threatened. On this evidence, the endless rumours of him being signed by an English club and bursting onto the premiership scene can finally stop.

Van Basten's men were met with a raucous atmosphere at Villa Park. The Villa faithful have been starved of big European nights such as this for far too long, and they were going to enjoy this one against one of the more glamorous UEFA cup contenders.

The first half came to an end with Villa getting back into the driving seat. Ashley Young and Nicky Shorey threatened down the left, and again it was Young's right-foot cross that led to the goal. Barry latched onto Young's deflected cross and coolly slotted the ball past the sprawling Vermeer on 45 minutes.

It was a nervy last half hour for Villa. Emanuelson threatened Friedel's goal with a powerful left-foot shot, but the home side held firm to give their fans a memorable and welcome return to European football.

O'Neill's side are inexperienced in European football; the Villa youngsters could have been overcome by the emotion of the night. This was a solid performance, work-man-like if you will, and an easier test than their opponents' storied history would suggest.

Aston Villa

(4-1-4-1) B Friedel; L Young, C Cuellar, M Laursen, N Shorey; S Petrov; J Milner, N Reo-Coker (C Gardner, 81), G Barry, A Young; G Agbonlahor.

Subs: B Guzan, S Sidwell, M Harewood, C Davies, Z Knight, M Salifou.

Goals: Laursen (8), Barry (45)

Booked: Cuellar, Gardner

Ajax

(4-3-3) K Vermeer; B Silva (G Van Der Wiel, 78), Oleguer, T Vermaelen, U Emanuelson; Gabri, R Lindgren, J Vertonghen; L Suarez (L Vitor Santiago, 60), K Huntelaar, J Sarpong (D Cvitanich, 56).

Subs: H Vonk, E Sno, V Anita, R Schilder.

Goals: Vermaelen (21)

Referee: T Einwaller (Austria)

David Haye Challenges Klitschko Brothers Ahead Of First Heavyweight Showdown

William Cooper — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:56:58 -0400

Britain's David Haye has laid down the challenge to the Klitschko brothers before his heavyweight debut fight with Monte Barrett on November 15th. The fight will be the Briton’s first since moving up from cruiserweight to heavyweight.

Haye approaches his first heavyweight contest against seasoned American Monte Barrett with the prospect of big money matches against both Klitschkos on the horizon. Haye said: “Give me Wladimir first, and then I’ll take on the older brother. Neither of them has the speed I can show them, and they are both vulnerable.”

Vitali Klitschko despatched Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter with little difficulty last Saturday to regain the WBC heavyweight title in front of 17,000 people at the O2 World Arena in Berlin.

Peter quit on his stool at the end of the eighth round after scarcely landing an effective shot in the preceding 24 minutes of the fight. Klitschko joins his brother Wladimir as a heavyweight champion in what is a division severely lacking in possible must see fights.

London born Haye, 21-1 with 20 knockouts, will meet Barrett on Nov. 15 at London's O2 Arena. The 37 year old Barrett has a record of 34-6, two of his defeats coming against world champions Nikolai Valuev and Hasim Rahman, another of his defeats came in his 2000 fight with Wladimir Klitschko.

Barrett put up credible displays in all three fights, rising five times from the canvas against Klitschko before being stopped in the seventh round.

Haye made the point of not looking past his first heavyweight opponent to the prospect of bigger and more lucrative possibilities. The usually confident Londoner described his first foray into the heavyweights as “a massive gamble.”

Haye added: "I don't want to waste anyone's time, if I can't get through Monte, then what's the point? I'm definitely not going to beat Klitschko, so I might as well call it a day."

The Monte Barrett fight will prove to be an effective yard stick on which to measure how far Haye can go in the heavyweight division. Haye who has always struggled to make weight in the cruiserweight division, will hope that his first heavyweight contest can be the making not breaking of his attempt to gain boxing's most prestigious prize; the heavyweight championship of the world.

Haye said: "Our gameplan is still to have two more fights and then the big one against Klitschko next year. I know as a heavyweight I can't afford to take risks. I've got to get in there, do my work and get out. I've got to punch like a whirlwind and take these guys out."