Sky Sports 1 free for everyone on Day 1 of Premier League season

Sky Sports 1 will be free on the first day of the 2013/14 Premier League football season.

On Saturday, August 17, the channel airs on Sky 2 on pay TV services and Pick TV on Freeview and YouView.

The line up:

10am - Soccer AM
12 noon - FL72 - Live
Sky's Saturday Football League matches move to from tea-time to lunchtime, to play opposite BT Sport's live Premier League offering
2.30pm Team Talk
David Jones and Jamie Redknapp preview the 3pm kick-offs

3pm - Soccer Saturday
Jeff Stelling and his ex-pro cohorts with the usual banter filled match updates
5pm - Saturday Night Football - Live
with David Jones and Jamie Redknapp
8pm - Saturday Night Football - Game of the Day
Sarah-Jane Mee hosts what was known as Football First
10pm - Saturday Night Football - Match Choice
Red button highlights from every Saturday 3pm fixture

Finders Keepers: Paul Lambert confirms Jed Steer acquisition...

Paul Lambert has confirmed that Villa will acquire a new goalkeeper when Jed Steer becomes a free agent on July 1st.

"Having genuine competition for places is really healthy and, in fact, vital for any club that aspires to bigger and better things," Lambert said.

"We know that defensively we need to improve from last season, overall as a team.

"Bringing in Jed will also add to the goalkeeping department and helps with everyone pushing one another, learning from one another and making everyone better and wanting to improve.

"You want competition for places throughout the team, which is something we didn't have last season."

Steer has limited first team experience, not breaking through into Norwich's first team other than in cup games but getting game time during loan spells with Yeovil and Cambridge. Should Shay Given leave, he's expected to tussle with Benji Siegrist for a place on Villa's first team bench.

Derrick Williams moves to Bristol City

As expected, Derrick Williams has moved to Bristol City.

The player is thought to have been offered a contract extension by Villa but chose to leave on a free in a bid for first team football.

The player made one brief appearance for the Villa first team last season but opportunities were likely to be limited in the future with the likes of Nathan Baker, Ciaran Clark and new signing Jores Okore standing between him and Premier League action.

Ticket Info: Tiny allocations for Luton and Newport

Luton v Villa
Tuesday July 23 - 7:45pm
Kenilworth Road
Ticket Allocation: 500
Prices: £10 [adults], £5 [O75s and U17s], FREE* [U10s]
Wednesday June 26 [from 12noon]: On sale to 2013-14 season card holders who attended three or more Premier League away fixtures in 2012-13*
Wednesday June 26 [from 2pm]: On sale to 2013-14 season card holders who attended two or more Premier League away fixtures in 2012-13*
Wednesday July 3 [from 12noon]: On sale to 2013-14 season card holders who attended one or more away fixtures in 2012-13*
Wednesday July 3 [from 2pm]: On sale to 2013-14 season card holders
Wednesday July 10 [from 2pm]: On sale to supporters who attended at least five Villa games in the 2012-13 season*
Wednesday July 17: On sale to supporters who attended at least three Villa games in the 2012-13 season*
Friday July 19: On sale to supporters with any Villa booking history*


Newport County v Villa
Sunday July 28 - 3pm
Rodney Parade
Ticket Allocation: 500
Prices: £15-17 [adults], £11-13 [students and O65s], £5-8 [U16s], £5 [U12s], FREE [U6s]
Thursday June 27 [from 12noon]: On sale to 2013-14 season card holders who attended three or more Premier League away fixtures in 2012-13*
Thursday June 27 [from 2pm]: On sale to 2013-14 season card holders who attended two or more Premier League away fixtures in 2012-13*
Thursday July 4 [from 12noon]: On sale to 2013-14 season card holders who attended one or more away fixtures in 2012-13*
Thursday July 4 [from 2pm]: On sale to 2013-14 season card holders*
Thursday July 11: On sale to supporters who attended at least five Villa games in the 2012-13 season*
Thursday July 18: On sale to supporters who attended at least three Villa games in the 2012-13 season*
Thursday July 25: On sale to supporters who attended at least one Villa game in the 2012-13 season*

Holman's contact terminated

Aston Villa has confirmed that Brett Holman's contract has been terminated by mutual consent.

Brett Holman leaves Villa. http://t.co/Ljz54SmYkM #AVFC
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) June 22, 2013

The player was concerned that lack of first team football would hamper his chances  of playing for Australia in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Dubai club Al Nasr have recently tweeted that Brett would be signing for them, subject to a medical.

The Socceroo was signed by Alex McLeish on a Bosman but didn't hook up with Villa until McLeish had left.

A frequent starter in Paul Lambert's early days, the player rarely managed to get through a full 90 minutes and fell out of favour in the second half of the season.

Lambert over the moon to sign Luna

Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of rookie left back Antonio Luna from Sevilla.

It is hoped the Spanish player, who had loan spells at Almeria and Real Mallorca can provide some competition for Joe Bennett, who was widely acknowledged to have struggled having stepped up to the
Premier League last season.

Antonio Manuel Luna Rodríguez is 22 years of age and will be looking to kick start his career in the Premier League, having suffered relegation with Real Mallorca last season.

"I've always believed that I could play in the Premier League and to have this opportunity with a club as historic and huge as Aston Villa and with a manager who is building a squad of young players with great prospects is tremendously exciting for me," Luna said.

"I really can't wait to get started and to play my first game. I have a great expectation coming here.

"The manager explained to me that it is a young squad but also one with good experience and everyone is hungry, everybody wants to succeed here. This is perfect because I am keen to make progress myself and I want to be part of this."

The fixtures are out!

The footie fixtures are out and Lambert's revamped Lions now know who they'll be facing as the Villa faithful hope for a much improved effort this term and it will all start and finish in North London.

Villa will start the season by facing Arsenal at the Emirates. The first home game will be against Liverpool giving us a tough start to the campaign. The game against Chelsea showing on the list for 31st August will need to be moved because of Chelsea's participation in the European Super Cup on the 30th.

The big Boxing Day match is Crystal Palace at home with Swansea also coming to Villa Park two days later

The bi games against the team disguised as Tesco carrier bags are at the Hawthorns on Saturday November 23, Villa Park on Tuesday January 28.
The season concludes with a clash against  a final home game v Hull City and an away clash at White Hart Lane with Spurs.

Fixtures in full to follow.... villamad Results and Fixtures page

Nicklas Helenius signing confirmed by Aston Villa

Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of beanpole striker Nicklas Helenius as Paul Lambert continues to transform his squad.

The Danish international signed a three-year deal to 2016 and Paul Lambert is delighted to have captured the 6'5" tall 22 year old.

"Nicklas is a young lad but also a full international with a good goalscoring record in Denmark and he'll prove himself in the Premier League," Lambert said.

"The opportunity will be there for him, as it will be for the rest of the lads, and he has all the attributes to go and take it.

"He wants to go and make a name and a career for himself and he's made a good start at Aalborg. It's a case of continuing to work hard and building on that and I believe he can.

"He's a good player and the potential is there for him to grow into the team and grow with the team. He'll definitely be able to give the team a hand."

listen to ‘Helenius signs’ on Audioboo

"This is a big opportunity for me, a big dream to play in the Premier League with a club with the history of Aston Villa and I'm very excited," Helenius said.

"I know we have a young team and I know we came through a test last season and got better as a team over the course of the campaign. I watched the game against Liverpool at Anfield and was very impressed by the way the team played. As we got more confidence in the game, we became better and better and won 3-1 with some great attacking football.

"In Gabby Agbonlahor and Andi Weimann, for example, we have good players who have great speed and energy and a real love for playing for Villa. You can see this and you can also see the strength and quality of Christian Benteke. It is really exciting to be a part of this and I'm looking forward so much to pulling on the shirt and getting to know my new team-mates.

"I've been to see the stadium and it's tremendous. The atmosphere inside Villa Park can be incredible, I know this from watching games on TV from Denmark where the Premier League, obviously, is really big. I've watched Premier League football since I was eight years old.

"I was so inspired that I used to go by myself to an empty ground in my home town of Godthaab - a town of 900 people - and just kick the ball around, practise the skills and shoot. That was my whole life growing up.

"I learnt a lot over the past few seasons with Kent Nielsen as my manager. He was a player here at Villa and, while I have always been a good finisher, he taught me to be more aggressive and determined when I don't have the ball. He showed me how to work hard and this will help me in this league.

"I thought that maybe when I was 28 or something I might eventually be able to move to the Premier League having made my mark in Danish football but now I have my chance and I think this is the right club for me with all the other young players in the side who want to do well and achieve something together.

"I want to show the fans that I'm hungry for this and that I'm very proud to be a Villa player."

Demonstration at Premier League 19th June

From Spirit of Shankly website:

Details for the protest march and demonstration at Premier League headquarters on June 19th have now been finalised and agreed with the Metropolitan Police.

Anyone wishing to join the demonstration from any club should make their way to Regent’s Park and congregate inside the perimeter using the entrance nearest The Secret Garden from 1.00pm onwards. You can see where on the map below.

View Meeting Point in a larger map

The march will move off at 2.00pm and we have been informed that it is a pavement only protest and we should avoid entering the road for safety reasons. The demonstration will congregate outside Premier League headquarters behind a cordon where there will be a rally and speakers.


We encourage as many supporters as possible to attend, bring protest banners and wear clubcolours to show that the problem of escalating ticket prices is a cross-club issue and that we, as supporters, are no longer willing to subsidise football's unsustainable financial bubble.

Ticket info for Wycombe, Crewe and Walsall friendlies

Wycombe Wanderers v Villa
Saturday July 20 - 3pm
Adams Park
Allocation: 1,800 
Tuesday June 18: On sale to 2013-14 season card holders*
Tuesday June 25: On sale to supporters who were season card holders for 2012-13*
Tuesday July 2: On sale to supporters who attended at least one Villa fixture in the 2012-13 season*
Tuesday July 9: On sale to supporters with booking history*


Crewe v Villa
Friday July 26 - 7.30pm
Alexandra Stadium
Allocation: 1,630
Prices: £8 [adults], £4 [O65s], £2 [U18s]

Wednesday June 19: On sale to 2013-14 season card holders*
Wednesday June 26: On sale to supporters who were season card holders for 2012-13*
Wednesday July 3: On sale to supporters who attended at least one Villa fixture in 2012-2013*
Wednesday July 10: On sale to supporters with booking history*


Walsall v Villa
Wednesday July 31 - 7.30pm
Banks's Stadium
Ticket Allocation: 3,500
Prices: £12 [adults], £5 [O60s], £6 [U18s]
Thursday June 20: On sale to 2013-14 season card holders*
Thursday June 27: On sale to supporters who were season card holders for 2012-13*
Thursday July 4: On sale to supporters who attended at least one Villa fixture in 2012-13*
Thursday July 11: On sale to supporters with booking history*

Capital One Cup First Round Draw

Bury v Crewe Alexandra
Shrewsbury Town v Bolton Wanderers
Middlesbrough v Accrington Stanley
Doncaster Rovers v Rochdale
Preston North End v Blackpool
Barnsley v Scunthorpe United
Tranmere Rovers v Mansfield Town
York City v Burnley
Notts County v Fleetwood Town
Sheffield United v Burton Albion
Oldham Athletic v Derby County
Carlisle United v Blackburn Rovers
Morecambe v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Nottingham Forest v Hartlepool United
Leeds United v Chesterfield
Huddersfield Town v Bradford City
Rotherham United v Sheffield Wednesday
Port Vale v Walsall
Gillingham v Bristol City
AFC Bournemouth v Portsmouth
Wycombe Wanderers v Leicester City
Brentford v Dagenham and Redbridge
Exeter City v Queens Park Rangers
Charlton Athletic v Oxford United
Southend United v Yeovil Town
Millwall v AFC Wimbledon
Swindon Town v Torquay United
Birmingham City v Plymouth Argyle
Stevenage v Ipswich Town
Cheltenham Town v Crawley Town
Bristol Rovers v Watford
Northampton Town v Milton Keynes Dons
Leyton Orient v Coventry City
Colchester United v Peterborough United
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newport County

Ties to be played during the week commencing 5th August 2013.

Coventry City stays in SISU's clutches, but may not stay in Coventry...

Administrator Paul Appleton has announced he intends to sell Coventry City Football Club Limited  to a Sisu-related company, in the face of opposition for the club's diminishing army of supporters.

Appleton, of David Rubin and Partners, released a statement at 5pm today.

It states he has accepted a bid from Otium Entertainment Group Limited.

The company is related to hedge fund Sisu-owned Coventry City Football Club (Holdings) Ltd, which has been continuing to operate the club and intends to take it away of Coventry for three years until it builds a new stadium in the “Coventry area” - taking it away from the Ricoh Arena, although to quite where remains a mystery.

Mr Appleton’s statement: 

“Following a stringent sale process, I can confirm a bid has now been accepted from Otium Entertainment Group Limited.

“This offer allows me to achieve the purpose of the Administration and, following discussions with the Football League, I am hopeful a completion of the sale can be achieved as swiftly as possible.

“I realise and appreciate the end result of the sale process will not necessarily be welcomed by a large number of Coventry City fans.

“However, the bid from Otium Entertainment Group Limited was substantially more than any of the other three bids received and was the bid which gave the greatest return to the unsecured, non-connected creditors of CCFC Limited by a considerable margin.”

If the Football League don't intervene, the sale of CCFC Ltd could be concluded as early as next week, and the club could come out of administration.

Unsecured creditors include  stadium owners Arena Coventry Limited, which is believed to be owed at least £600,000 in unpaid rent.

An administrator's report contended Coventry City Football Club Limited owed £70million, mainly to Sisu-related entities.

Jores Okore signs for Aston Villa

Jores Okore has signed for Lambert's Lions

The 20-year-old defender underwent a medical today and signed a four-year deal.


 "We're a young team and we played some really good football over the second half of last season which is something we want to build on now as players, as a team and as a club," Okore said.

"I know there is great potential in the team. I have watched many of our games because the Premier League is very popular back in Denmark.

"I know also that we have a good coach and this is a really good club. This is the right club for me, I feel it straight away.

"We have a lot to show and we have a long way to go.
"It was really nice to hear some very nice comments from Martin Laursen. It means a lot."

Yea its official i'm now an Aston villa player!! Looking forward to it!! http://t.co/fozcyqGbxD

— Jores Okore (@JoresOkore) June 13, 2013

Thanks for the welcoming villa fans looking forward to play for u guys thanks a lot #avfc

— Jores Okore (@JoresOkore) June 13, 2013

Paul Lambert added "He's only 20 years of age and that's good but he's also an international player at a really young age and he's played Champions League football as well, which is testament to his potential.

"Jores has played in big games but he's a very humble lad and he will be a really good addition to our team and to our squad. I'm pleased that we've signed a player of his stature, for he is someone who can come in and make a huge impact.

"There's a great opportunity for him here and the competition for places is something that's really important. You want to try to have that throughout the team.

Okore v Chelsea from Morten Kaltoft on Vimeo.

Confirmed: Leandro Bacuna signs for Villa

Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of  Leandro Bacuna on a three year deal.

The 21-year-old midfielder from FC Groningen was the centre of social media speculation in the last 24 hours.

A friendly match between Groningen and Aston Villa, free to the Dutch team's season ticket holders forms part of the deal and will be played prior to the 2014/15 season.

Bacuna, a 21 year old utility player with well over a 100 senior appearances for FC Groningen to his credit, is an Under 21 international who is yet to make his mark for the senior national team.

"It feels great. It's a new beginning for me and I'm looking forward to being part of this young, hungry team we have at Villa," Bacuna said.

"Leandro's energy and versatility will be really good for us," said Paul Lambert.

"He's a good player, he has bags of energy and he will make an impact.

"He's another player we believe will do well for us. He has played in big games and he has lots of experience for a player so young."

Daniel Johnson signs new deal

Under 21s starlet Daniel Johnson has committed himself to Aston Villa for two more seasons.

Johnson has impressed at Reserve and then Under 21 level and had a spell out on loan at Yeovil last term as he tries to press for a place in the first team squad. While he was too old to compete in this year's NextGen triumph, he was a key figure in that tournament the season before, netting three goals and captaining Villa as they reached the quarter finals

Midfielder Johnson said: "I'm really happy to have signed the new contract. These are exciting times at the Club at the moment, you can see where the manager wants to go with it and what he's trying to do and it's really good.

An exciting prospect, he plays some great stuff, linking up well with the likes of Samir Carruthers and Jack Grealish.

New kit: First pics...

New sponsor confirmed as Dafabet

Aston Villa has named Dafabet as Official Main Club Sponsor in a two-year deal.

The deal means that the Dafabet logo will appear on Villa shirts.

"We're pleased to announce our partnership with Dafabet," said Villa Chief Executive Paul Faulkner.

"There is a real sense of excitement, anticipation and optimism as we look forward to the new season, building on the solid foundations we have in place.

"This will be a good and positive partnership for the Club and we are looking forward to working together with Dafabet as we continue to build and move the Club forward.

"Crucially for us, during negotiations Dafabet displayed a strong willingness to work with us in our continued support for Acorns and we look forward to progressing some ideas around that in the near future."

Dimitris Karatzas, Managing Director of Online Betting and Gaming at AsianBGE, said: "We are delighted to see Dafabet on the front of such a well-recognised shirt and to be associated with a club respected throughout the footballing world. I am sure all the fans will agree the kit looks great.

Acorns Chief Executive David Strudley said: "The ongoing support shown by the Club and fans for Acorns is immeasurable and clearly demonstrated by their efforts to include us in their discussions with Dafabet.

"We are extremely grateful to both AVFC and Dafabet in what is a crucial year as we celebrate 25 years of caring and look to a future where we can help to provide care and support to each of the 2,000 plus life-limited and life-threatened children in the region."

Happy Birthday David Platt and Ronny Johnsen

New deal for Weimann, Benteke in talks...

It's widely reported that Aston Villa have to come an agreement with Andreas Weimann and he is set to scribble his moniker on a new three year deal.

The Austrian front-man enjoyed his breakthrough season last term, quickly establishing partnerships with Christian Benteke and Gabby Agbonlahor, forming part of a front line which terrorised Premier League defences.

Andi's existing contract had just a year to run, which meant the only real options were a new deal or to cash in on the player before he became eligible for a free transfer.

With Belgium's summer fixtures now done and dusted, talks on a improved deal for Benteke will recommence, though with plenty of time left on his existing deal, the Belgian is likely to remain at Villa Park even if terms on an upgraded contract can't be struck. Paul Lambert will anxious to convince the player that another season at Villa will be beneficial to his ambition to star in the World Cup in Brazil.

Update: Weimann's signing was confirmed on Twitter by the man himself:

I'm really happy to announce that I have just signed a new 3 year contract at Aston villa ! #utv @avfcofficial twitter.com/andiweimann/st…

— Andreas Weimann (@andiweimann) June 10, 2013

Jojo McGuire Head Shave for Race for Life/Cancer Research

Pop into the Masons Arms Solihull to donate or do it on-line at http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/masons-arms-ladies

Tonev signing marks the start of Phase Two of the Lambert revolution...

Aleksandar Tonev, a 23-year-old attacking midfield player has completed a medical and agreed terms today at Bodymoor Heath.

Villa and Polish club Lech Poznan have struck a deal and i's will be dotted and t's crossed next week.

"I am really happy to be part of Aston Villa and I am really proud to be able to pull the shirt on," Tonev said. "Aston Villa is a big club and the manager and club have a belief in young players and in the team ethic. Football is not about the individuals. It's a team sport and all successful teams play well together. That's what you can see at Villa, the team is playing together.

"I am part of the team now and I am hungry for success. I want to show everybody what I can really do. I have played in front of big crowds before but the atmosphere here in England is unique. The crowd is like a 12th player for the team and I am looking forward to playing in front of the fans.

"I can't wait to start and to meet my team-mates and the manager. When I heard about Aston Villa, I thought about playing in the Premier League for such a big club. I wasn't thinking about anything else.

"Stiliyan being here wasn't a massive influence on me coming here. Stiliyan and Dimitar Berbatov have done really well in this league and I hope I can do the same. They are both great Bulgarian players and hopefully I can do the same and make my mark on the Premier League.

"I have been watching Villa and I know there are some very good players here. I am really looking forward to being part of the team."

Stan Petrov added: "I think Villa fans have one exciting player on their hands. I think the Club has been monitoring Aleksandar for a few months, they have watched some games and some DVDs.

"He doesn't have a dominant foot which is really interesting and the main thing about him. He is quick, he is an exciting player and I think Villa fans will see he is a good player. He is the kind of player who can really make an impact in this young, exciting team. We spoke last night and he is really looking forward to it. He knows that it will be a challenge but he is ready for it."

Welcome to the Villa Aleks. 

Great signing!

More bread for Baker as he signs new deal.

Aston Villa defender Nathan Baker has signed a new three-year deal after breaking into the first team under Paul Lambert.

The 22-year-old academy graduate at Villa, made 30 appearances for the first team in what was an eventful and fraught season for the back line.

"I'm really happy to have signed and for my future to be with Villa," said Baker.

"It's an exciting time and, because I've come through the academy as well, it's something that's really special to me, something that hopefully I can use as an inspiration in the future.

"We were probably one of the youngest squads in the Premier League last season and we felt that we got stronger and stronger as the season went on.

"The fans could see the progress we were making and they got behind us really strongly. That was felt very keenly by the players.

"Hopefully, next season we can keep improving and we can be even better. I think things are in place that we can really do that."

Villa manager Paul Lambert says Baker is already an integral part of their squad.

"For any player here at Aston Villa, the goal is always to strive to be the best you can and to keep improving as an individual within the team," Lambert said.

"Nathan has demonstrated courage and real willing and he's contributed to the team and these qualities will underpin his efforts going into the new season."

@bakesy23 congrats geez

— Derrick Williams (@DerickWilliams_) June 6, 2013

In other news, Villa are in the process of snapping up Liam Prynn from Torquay United.

Gulls' head-honcho Andrew Candy told the Herald Express: "As I understand it, the terms have been agreed, and all parties are happy about the situation.

"We are certainly excited - the deal is good news for the club, and for Liam and his family.

"But it's good for our other youth players, who see that things like this can happen to a youngster at Torquay United."

A clue to the signing was on Pryn's twitter page last month:

Thanks for the weekend! #AVFC #astonvilla
— Liam Prynn (@prynner6) May 21, 2013

Happy Birthday Dariusz

Exodus: Five Go Out of Villa

As had been widely reported, Aston Villa has confirmed that Richard Dunne, Eric Lichaj, Andy Marshall, Jean II Makoun and Simon Dawkins are leaving the club.

Dunne, Lichaj and Marshall have reached the end of their contracts and have been released.

The enigma that was Jean II Makoun will sign for Rennes after the Ligue 1 side took up their option.

Scarcely seen wide man Simon Dawkins will be sent back to Spurs as his loan deal comes to an end.

Worryingly,  the club website also reports that right back Alan Hutton will return to Villa after finishing his spell at Real Mallorca. It had been thought that he wanted to stay in Spain.

Meanwhile fans of our Under 21 side will be keen to hear that while the contracts of Graham Burke, Derrick Williams, Michael Drennan, Samir Carruthers and Daniel Johnson are set to expire, all five have been offered extensions.