Farewell Fonz

Nomadic Northamptonshire squatting Coventry City have snapped up Villa's unwanted Nathan Delfouneso on a loan deal until the end of the season at which point the player's Villa contract expires..

The 22-year-old joins the Sky Blues up to and including June 30, 2014.

Delfouneso, a product of Villa's youth academy, was shipped back from Blackpool earlier this month. He has  represented England at every age group from the under-16s right through to the under-21s.

Steven Pressley said he was delighted to secure the services of the striker after fending off strong interest from elsewhere.

"Nathan had always been high on our shortlist for this window and we'd pursued him for a number of weeks so we are absolutely delighted to be able to bring him in," Pressley said.

"He has a great level of experience for somebody of his age and his ability is something we feel will give us the kind of attacking threat that we want.

"I have been saying throughout this month that we wanted to add strikers in this window so to get someone of Nathan's calibre through the door is exactly the kind of business that we want to be doing."

The player failed to make a massive impact on Villa's first team, finding himself well down the pecking order and will be hoping to revitalise his career at the League One outfit.

Match Preview: Everton v Aston Villa

Who are we playing?
Everton

Where are we playing?
Goodison Park, Saturday 3pm

Can I go?
Not unless you've already got your mitts on one of the measly 1,742 tickets we were allocated. Not many of them have a decent view either. It's about time Everton came into the 21st Century stadium-wise.

Can I watch it live on the telly?
Not on a UK channel no. Naughty pubs and dodgy webstreams only and there's always the risk you'll end up with Trevor Francis on the commentary.

Jennifer Ellison

Big game?
Massive. Roberto Martinez will be looking to bounce back after suffering humiliation at Anfield while every point is vital for the bottom eleven teams in a really tight relegation battle. We scared the bejeezus out them at Goodison last time. Hopefully we'll go one better this time.

Do Everton have any famous fans?

Well, there's Ed "Stewpot" Stewart of Junior Choice fame (ask yer Gran kids) and Jennifer Ellison, once of Brookside and now on seemingly every D-List "celeb" reality show going. There's also at least one of Atomic Kitten, but who really cares which one?

We've got Kris Marshall off of Death Up Paradise.

So we win.

Everton's treatment room must be standing room only

Who's playing for us?
Praying for a Gabby return. Ron Vlaar looked to be struggling a bit in the second half against the Baggies so we have to hope against hope that he's fit.

Who's playing for them?
Martinez currently has a treatment list as long as your arm. Oviedo's injury was particularly heartbreaking while the talismanic Lukaku has been ruled out for a few weeks. Ross Barkley's back playing after a short lay off but Everton's squad strength is being tested now and it's great time to be playing them.

Any useless stats?

Of course, here you go:

• We have to go back to 2008 for our last Goodison Park victory, winning 3-2 with Steve Sidwell opening the scoring after 31 seconds and two goal Ashley Young bagging the winner with just 12 seconds to go.

Ashley Young snatches victory for Villa

• You have to go back even further, to March 2006 for Everton's last Premier League win over us at their place, a brace from Tim Cahill helping them to a 4-1 triumph. Gabby Agbonlahor got our consolation goal.

• Honours are almost even between the two clubs. we have 79 wins to their 78 with 58 games ending in a draw.

• Despite Lambert bringing in several new faces in the summer, only three players (Bennett, N'Zogbia and Gabby) from the Villa team that started in the 3-3 at Goodison Park a year ago were missing from our team against the Albion on Wednesday.

He said, She said...
Roberto Martinez "As a club we’re ready to kick on and ready to challenge for big things. You look at the points tally in the league and it’ll give you a clear indication that we’re not far off."

Paul Lambert "You look at the table and there’s only five points between us and Southampton who are sitting ninth. I’ll judge the table more closely on the last game in May."

Prediction
Think there's goals in this one. Going for a cheeky 3-2 Villa win.

Villa 4 Baggies 3 as it was tweeted

Collymore responds to The Sun's Ulrika story

Stan Collymore took to Twitter last night to respond to The Sun's front page Ulrika Jonsson splash.

After a period of inactivity Stan's Twitter account is now alive again.

Under 21s: Everton v Villa as it was tweeted

Liam Bateman badly hurt in Under 21 game.

Liam Bateman has sustained a serious injury after being felled by a two footed tackle in an Under 21 clash with Everton at Goodison Park.

The game was held up for some ten minutes as Bateman received pitchside treatment while crying in agony. Many of Bateman's team mates were in tears as medics tended to the stricken defender while a distraught Janoi Donacien held his hand.

Both Gordon Cowans and his Everton counterpart Alan Stubbs were called onto the pitch by the referee to restore calm as emotions ran high.

Eventually Bateman was stretchered off the field with his right leg in a brace.

Match Preview: Aston Villa v West Bromwich

Who are we playing?
West Bromwich Albion

Where are we playing?
Villa Park, Wednesday, 7.45pm

Can I go?
You can. Loads of tickets left.

Can I watch it live on the telly?
Not on a UK channel no. Naughty pubs and dodgy webstreams only.

Big game?
Massive. Pepe Mel will be looking to kick start his new era and what better way to win over sceptical Baggies than with a victory over fierce local rivals.

After the worst sequence of home games that the vast majority of us can ever remember, the Villa faithful will be hoping that the positive footballing approach taken by Lambert's charges in the first half up at Anfield will translate to Villa Park. Home fans will also be keen to see loan signings Ryan Bertrand and Grant Holt in action after both men produced encouraging displays on Merseyside.

Cat Deeley supporting a Mickey Mouse outfit

Do West Brom have any famous fans?  
Well, bizarrely,  there's beloved tennis playing behemoth Goran Ivanisevic. There's also Cat Deeley, probably best known for the way her Brummie accent has started to fade away as she's slithered up the greasy pole of show business success.

While you're still imagining Cat slithering on a greasy pole, we'll point out that we've got bass guitarist Russell Leetch from popular group Editors.

So we win.

Who's playing for us?
Gawd knows. We'll all be hoping that the big gap between games means that we can get a few fit because we were rapidly running out of players up at Anfield.

Scott Sinclair's partner Mickey Flanagan

Despite the extended break, Gabby is still a big doubt after hobbling off with a sore foot against Liverpool, while the accident prone Nathan Baker should have shaken off his concussion to challenge Ciaran Clark for a place. Ciaran did well against a formidable Liverpool front line and will be keen to keep his starting berth.

Who's playing for them?
Don't know yet, but many of us are just thrilled that they've sold the dangerous Shane Long. Nic Anelka's participation will be in doubt after the FA decided to charge him over the quenelle incident.

Any useless stats?
Of course, here you go:

• Villa's rivalry with West Brom is one of the oldest in football, dating to an FA Cup tie in 1885. We drew 0-0 at our Wellington Road home before going down 3-0 in the replay at Four Acres.

• We gained sweet revenge two seasons later, beating the Baggies two-nil in the FA Cup Final at Kennington Oval.

• The first clash between the teams at Villa Park was in 1897, Fred Wheldon claiming a hat-trick as we ran out 4-3 winners.

• Albion's last win at Villa Park was in October 2011, goals from Jonas Olsson and Paul Scharner giving them victory after a Darren Bent penalty saw us go ahead.

• Marc Albrighton is the only survivor in the Villa squad from the starting line-up that last beat Albion in December 2010. Stewart Downing and Emile Heskey got the goals as we we won 2-1.

Pepe

He said, She said...
"People probably questioned why we brought in Holty, but I knew what I was getting - on and off the pitch. He's been bubbly.” Paul Lambert

“They are very good on the long play and with the second ball through Benteke. The players know this question and this week have worked hard on the pitch to stop the second ball and stop the counter-attack.” Pepe Mel



Prediction
Despite potential new manager bounce, we can't see a flat footed Albion being much of a threat and if Lambert sticks to his new improved positive tactics, a 3-1 Villa should be on the cards.

Liverpool v Villa as it was tweeted

Jed Steer compo agreed... could cost £1.175million

David McNally of Norwich

The Professional Compensation Committee has ruled that Aston Villa must pay a fee rising to a maximum of £1.175m for goalkeeper Jed Steer following last summer's move.

A fee of £450,000 plus VAT is payable up front, while an additional figure of up to £500,000 is payable on based upon first team appearances. The deal would be boosted by a  further £225,000 if the former England youth international breaks into the Under-21 and senior international teams.

The committee also slapped us a 20% sell-on fee payable to the Canaries should we decide to flog Jed on..

Norwich City's David McNally hissed: “We are extremely pleased with the outcome of this matter after a very fair hearing with the Professional Compensation Committee.”

Villa claim to be "very happy with the PFCC's decision".

Ryan Bertrand joins the growing left back collection...

Ryan Bertrand has signed from Chelsea on a loan deal which will keep him at Villa Park until the end of the season and could make his Villa debut as soon as tomorrow as Villa take on high-flying Liverpool at Anfield

England international Bertrand, who won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012, has been out of favour since Jose Mourinho returned to Chelsea and will be keen to give his career a boost with a regular starting slot, though he'll have to see off the competing claims of Antonio Luna and the returning Joe Bennett to achieve this aim.

The 24 year old said : “I’ve had to adjust many times in my career having played under several managers, so I know I can settle in here quickly and I’m looking forward to being able to contribute to the team.

“I’m focussed on continuing to progress and helping the team here to do that, too. We have a lot of young, talented players here with some experienced heads as well, they want to express themselves and I hope I can add to that and add my experience in a productive way.

“This is a really traditional English club, a family club as well and you get the feeling that everyone really knows one another, so that side’s not been lost either.

“Knowing some of the lads here, too, such as Fabian Delph, Marc Albrighton and a few others will really help, too, and I couldn’t be more looking forward to playing my part here.

“It's a fantastic opportunity for me.”

Bertrand started the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, which Chelsea won on penalties, and has made 57 appearances for the Stamford Bridge side.

He has had also loan spells at Norwich, Bournemouth, Reading and Forest and played in the London Olympics for Team GB.

Beleaguered Villa boss Paul Lambert squeaked: “Ryan brings a lot of big-game experience, not only in the Premier League but also a Champions League final which Chelsea won, so he’ll be really good for us.

“The way he plays the game and as the humble person he is, too, he’ll fit in here great and it will be good for him also to be playing games. He has real enthusiasm for the game and he’s looking forward to playing here."

Villa also have a left back in Edna Stevens, who is currently a regular starter out on loan
in a struggling Doncaster Rovers team.

In other news,  Mikey Drennan is of to Carlisle United on a youth loan.

Match Preview: Liverpool v Aston Villa

Who are we playing?
Liverpool.

Where are we playing?
Anfield, Saturday 5.30 pm

Can I go?
Last time we checked there were a few tickets left despite the meagre allocation, so the hefty price tag of £44 must have put a few off. Get in quick as we'll likely sell out though.

Can I watch it live on the telly?

You can, but you'll have to put up with lashings of Jamie Redknapp.

Big game?

Her out of Sex and the City

Huge for Liverpool as they scrap it out for a Champions League place. Not so much for us because most Villa fans have already resigned themselves to losing this one despite the fact that we won up there last season and The Two Pauls insist we've made progress since then. 

Do Liverpool have any famous fans?  

Well there's Daniel Craig, you know, that short-arsed blonde bloke who is mucking up the James Bond franchise, Ian Beale out of EastEnders and Kim Cattrall, most famous for playing an ageing slapper in that Sex and the City load of old cobblers.

We've got the geezer that writes the Jack Reacher books.

So we win.

Who's playing for us?

Thrilled by the signing of Grant Holt? He's likely to be in the squad even if he doesn't start. Nathan Baker is definitely out thanks to the concussion he sustained against the Gooners and Chris Herd also keeps his "sicknote" mantle, but the "good" news is that almost forgotten left back Joe Bennett is back to challenge Tony Moon for the left back birth, although they may both be kicking their heels now that Ryan Bertrand has arrived on loan from Chelsea.

Who's playing for them?

Brendan Rodgers has confirmed Joe Allen's return to training and will check on the condition of Mamadou Sakho prior to the game.

Any useless stats?
Of course, here you go:

Bob Chatt

• Villa's first meeting with Liverpool came at Anfield on 8th September 1894, Villa running out 2-1 winners thanks to goals from Stephen Smith and Bob Chatt. All but one of Liverpool's line up were Scotsmen.

• Oddly though, that wasn't our first game at Anfield.  That took place on 6th October 1888 against Everton who won 2-0.

• Liverpool last beat us at Anfield back in December 2010, as Gerard Houllier made an unhappy return to his old stomping ground. We lost 3-0.

• Liverpool are a bit of a bogey team, having beaten us 91 times. We've beaten them on 55 ocasions and there have been 39 draws.

He said, She said...

Rodgers on Villa: "They're a tough team, have good threats up front with their pace and their counter attacks in particular. And for us, we know we can't make any mistakes."

Prediction

Fearing the worst here, despite the few minutes of spirited football ar the end of the Arsenal match, predicting a 3-1 Liverpool victory.

Villa v Arsenal as it was tweeted...

Stephen Ireland deal not done yet...

The mercurial enigma that is Stephen Ireland isn't off Villa books just yet but a deal is close.

The midfielder has been a season-long loan at Stoke, but by agreeing to take up the remaining months of his Villa contract, Stoke can circumvent Premier League loan roles and sign another Premier League player up on loan deal.

The irony of this is that Stoke would become Villa's rivals in the race to secure the loan services of Manchester City's John Guidetti.

Mark Hughes said "We are looking to conclude the Stephen Ireland deal. That will give us flexibility to loan another player in. We will be pleased if it does come off."

Ireland was signed as part of the deal that took James Milner to Manchester City and before Gerard Houllier had been installed as manager. Failing to impress the Frenchman, he was loaned out to Newcastle United where he failed to make a single starting appearance.

He was given chances back at Villa by both Alex McLeish and Paul Lambert, actually winning "Supporters Player of the Year" under the ginger one by picking up more fans' Man of the Match awards than anyone else.

However, his Villa career was dogged by inconsistency and his invisible performance against Bradford City in the League Cup Semi-Final proved to be the straw that broke the back of his Villa career. 

Meanwhile, exciting Villa winger Jordan Graham has joined Bradford City on loan. Graham, 18, will stay with the Bantams until 8 February 2014. 

Match Preview: Aston Villa v Arsenal

More chance of bumping into two Princess Leias than Villa winning tonight

Who are we playing?
You can wash yer hands and face, you can wash yer... Arsenal

Where are we playing?
Villa Park, Monday 13th January at 8pm or thereabouts

Can I go?
You can go, tickets available but pricey despite the fact it's on telly and being played at a highly inconvenient time. Get in quick if you want your favourite spot, quite a lot of "amber areas" on the stadium map.

Easy to get to?
Easier to get home from because the roads will be lovely and quiet at ten on a Monday night.

Can I watch it live on the telly?
You can, but you'll have to put up with lashings of Gary Neville. Gary is a good pundit to be fair, which means he won't have many nice things to say about our inept, rudderless play. We're on Sky Sports Monday Night Football. If you've not got Sky Sports you can get a day pass from Now TV.

Big game?

Huge for Arsenal as they scrap it out for the league title. Not so much for us because most Villa fans have already resigned themselves to losing this one. In a way, this may actually help take some of the pressure off our beleaguered team who haven't managed to play well and win at the same time since we shocked Wenger's charges at the Emirates. We just have to hope that we don't get thrashed this time.

Dara Ó Briain and Dido

Do Arsenal have any famous fans?  
Hundreds of them. It seems to be obligatory to be an Arsenal fan if you find any sort of fame at all, shockingly.

Bearing in mind a lot of Arsenal's football over the last few decades has been as exciting as her albums, it's not a surprise to find out that Dido is a Gooner, as is geeky Irish funnyman Dara Ó Briain.

Word has it that Carry On stalwart and EastEnders matriarch, Babs "Gerrouddameyepub" Windsor is an Arsenal supporter, though we'd don't know of anyone that spotted her on Highbury's  North Bank. They've also got the Appletons out of All Saints.

One of the Appletons

We've got Mark Williams off The Fast Show

So we win.

Who's playing for us?
It would be really nice if we could make three significant signings in the next few days and they could take their Villa Park bows.

More likely that we'll just cobble together whoever is fit, especially in defence where are meagre resources are being stretched paper thin. Gabby should be back and Joe Bennett is finally training again but Concrete Ron and Nathan Baker are massive doubts.

Who's playing for them?
Walcott's injury is a massive blow, not only to Arsenal, but for England. Genuinely gutted for the lad, we wish him all the best from villamad.co.uk. Bentner's injury leaves them short up front, so they may have to get inventive if anything happens to Giroud.

Jack Wilshire reckons he'll recover from an ankle knock in time to be considered, while Alex Oxbowlake-Chamberpot could be back in contention for the first time since his injury against us in August.

Any useless stats?
Of course, here you go:

• We played Woolwich Arsenal in October 1904, losing 1-0 at the Manor Ground, Plumstead to a William Henry Gooing goal. We didn't have to wait long for revenge though, running out 3-1 winners on Boxing Day at Villa Park with Harry Hampton amongst the scorers.

• We won our first encounter after they dropped the "Woolwich" at Highbury in January 1920 thanks to a Clem Stephenson goal.

• Olof Mellberg took the honour of scoring the first ever Premier League goal at the Emirates Stadium in August 2006 as Villa battled to a 1-1 draw.

• Although we've beaten Arsenal at the Emirates three times since it opened, we haven't managed a victory over them at Villa Park this century, our last win coming in the pre-Christmas encounter in 1998

He said, She said...
"The team is excellent and we have to try to compete with them. We did it once and we have to try to do it again. If you let them settle and let them play, then they can hurt you." - Paul Lambert

"It is unbelievable because he played the first game of the season, against Aston Villa, and now he is back and available and it is against Aston Villa again. That makes it five months where has been completely out, so that means he is fresh and that should give us a boost."  - Arsene Wenger on Oxbowlake-Chamberpot

Prediction
Fearing the worst here, predicting a 3-1 Arsenal victory

FA Cup Villa v Sheffield United as it was tweeted..

FA Cup Match Preview: Villa v Sheffield United

Who are we playing?
Sheffield United


Where are we playing?
Villa Park, Saturday 3pm

Can I go?
Yeah, loads of cheap tickets on sale but North Stand Upper has been nabbed by the Blades who've sold around 5,500 tickets. 400 tickets for Doug Ellis Lower will be available to away fans on the day.

Can I watch it live on the telly?
Nope, you might not even get it on a stream, as only select FA Cup ties are screened live overseas and Rochdale v Leeds appears to be the favoured match, though some countries are showing Grimsby v Huddersfield or Macclesfield v Sheffield Wednesday

Big game?

This tournament is our last chance of winning anything and our last chance of Europe. Lose to Sheffield United and effigies of Paul Lambert may well be burnt!

Devoted Blades fan and sport journo Charlie Webster

Do Sheffield United have any famous fans? 
Well , Sean Bean off of Game of Thrones is said to be so passionate about the Blades that he once reduced Neil Warnock's wife and child to tears, so legend and Warnock's autobiography has it.  They've actually named a stand after Jessica Ennis, which is either a great honour for her or an insult to the great Blades legends of yesteryear, depending on your point of view...

There's also Charlie Webster off of Sky Sports News

We've got George Weasley off the Harry Potter films.

So we win.

Who's playing for us?
The news of Libor Kozak's broken leg casts a shadow over this one and he'll miss the rest of the season.

Lambert's priority will be the league and after a busy Christmas period, expect to see a few changes from the usual sort of line up. Rushing Ron Vlaar back for Sunderland did him no favours and he'll miss this one. Lambert says the FA Cup is something he could "do without" exposing what a small minded defeatist loser he's becoming.

Who's playing for them?
Dunno yet.

Any useless stats?
Of course, here you go:

• We played Sheffield United away at this stage of the tournament three years ago, ex-Blade Kyle Walker making an early impression with a goal on his Villa debut after 9 minutes as Villa ran out 3-1 winners despite a sending off for Ashley Young

• That win was revenge after Sheffield United knocked us out at Bramall Lane in 2005, winning 3-1 helped by two goals from Andy Liddell.

• Dwight Yorke had to brave a barrage of snowballs as he slotted home the penalty that eased Villa past the Blades in the FA Cup 4th Round in 1996. 

• The last time the two teams met in an FA Cup tie at Villa Park was way back in 1975, two goals from Keith Leonard helping us to a comfortable 4-1 victory.

He said, She said...

Paul Lambert does little for ticket sales: "The cup is not my priority. The Arsenal game’s the most important one."

listen to ‘Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert on the #FACup ’ on Audioboo

“The emphasis is on the home team to come at us and break us down, and we don’t fear anyone." - Blades Assistant manager Andy Garner
Prediction

3-1 to Villa, papering over the cracks of our Premier League ineptitude..

Sunderland v Villa as it was tweeted...