New Fixtures: Scary September

It's looking like a scary September for Aston Villa.

New fixtures revealed today show Villa facing a very difficult month against the nation's top opposition, with Manchester City to follow as the first game in October.

• 13/09/2014 15:00 Liverpool v Aston Villa
• 20/09/2014 15:00 Aston Villa v Arsenal
• 27/09/2014 15:00 Chelsea v Aston Villa
• 04/10/2014 15:00 Aston Villa v Manchester City

The traditional Boxing Day fixture is away this year at Swansea City, while Villa host Crystal Palace on New Years Day.

Villa's last away fixture of the season is at Southampton, while should we need a last gasp win to keep us up, a final home fixture with Burnley gives us hope.

We face Albion in December and March.

Match Preview: Uruguay v England

Who are we playing?

Uruguay in Group D of the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Thursday 19 June 2014 Kick-off: 20:00 BST

Where are we playing?

Arena Corinthians, São Paulo

The Arena Corinthians, also referred to as Arena de Itaquera and Arena de Sao Paulo, was built as a playing venue for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and to provide Corinthians with their own stadium.

Building works started in May 2011 and were planned to be completed in December 2013. However, an incident in which a crane and part of the roof structure collapsed, killing two workers, meant that the opening was pushed back to May 2014. It officially opened on 18 May 2014 with a league match between Corinthians and Figueirense. Earlier, Corinthians had already played a league match at the stadium with reduced capacity.

Can I watch it on the telly?

ITV, sadly.

Big game?

Mahooooosive.

Just before he did the dance

England's young forward thinking, at times free running players may have won us over with their style, confounding people who had already written diatribes about Roy Hodgsons negative style. Sadly, for us, the Italians were far too canny, choosing not to expend great amounts of energy while they were in possession. There weren't many of them falling to the ground with cramp towards the end. Ours were dropping like flies. Naivety perhaps.


Wayne Rooney may have provided the assist for the goal (only possible after  a lovely bit of thinking from Sterling) but despite running his socks off, he never looked happy throughout the game, missing a cracking opportunity and struggling with the defensive duties that playing on the left required him to fulfil. Some criticised Leighton Baines but there's only one of him and as the Italians sought to exploit us down that side, he needed help that poor Wayne wasn't best equipped to provide.

Despair for Uruguay as they are swept aside by Costa Rica

Beating Uruguay is now a must and a distinct possibility.  The South American team's midfield seemed to vanish for long periods against Costa Rica, who took full advantage, with two goals in three minutes turning the group on its head.

If the England -0 Uruguay clash needed any added spice, it will almost certainly see the return of Luis Suarez. This game has all the makings of a classic. Lose and you can start packing to come home. Win and it's game on again.

Exciting innit.

Any famous Uruguayans?

Apparently not. We've consulted our big book of famous Uruguay people and have never heard of any of them.

Who's playing for us?

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Fraser Forster (Celtic), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion)

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Southampton), Chris Smalling (Manchester United)

Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain [injured and highly unlikely to feature](Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)

Forwards: Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Daniel Welbeck (Manchester United)

Who's playing for them?

Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Martin Silva (Vasco da Gama), Rodrigo Munoz (Libertad).

Defenders: Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica) [suspended], Diego Lugano (West Bromwich Albion), Diego Godin, Jose Maria Gimenez (both Atletico Madrid), Sebastian Coates (Liverpool), Martin Caceres (Juventus), Jorge Fucile (Porto).

Midfielders: Alvaro Gonzalez (Lazio), Alvaro Pereira (Sao Paulo), Walter Gargano (Parma), Egidio Arevalo Rios (Morelia), Diego Perez (Bologna), Cristian Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid), Gaston Ramirez (Southampton), Nicolas Lodeiro (Botafogo).

Forwards: Luis Suarez (Liverpool), Edinson Cavani (Paris St-Germain), Abel Hernandez (Palermo), Diego Forlan (Cerezo Osaka), Christian Stuani (Espanyol).

Any useless stats and info?

Hardly any but here we go:

Joe Cole scores against Uruguay

• We've played Uruguay on 10 occasions, winning three and losing three. There have been 4 drawn matches.

• Our first World Cup Clash with Uruguay came in the quarter final of the 1954 World Cup . Despite goals from Nat Lofthouse and Tom Finney, we lost 4-2.

• Our only other World Cup encounter was the disappointing 0-0 draw with them in 1966 World Cup at Wembley.

• The last time we met was a friendly at Anfield in 2006. Sven Goran Eriksson's team won 2-1 thanks to goals from Peter Crouch and Joe Cole.

Prediction:

A goal filled thriller with suspense, drama and controversy.

It's not easy, being green

Spraying the pitch green in Manaus? Villa were doing that over 20 years ago.. pic.twitter.com/VljK1p5s05
— villamad.co.uk (@villamadtweets) June 14, 2014

Match Preview: Spain v Chile

Who is playing?
Spain v Chile. Group B. Wednesday 18th June 2000 BST

Where are they playing?
Estádio Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro.

We waxed lyrical about this stadium in our Argentina-Bosnia preview

Can I watch it on the telly?
You can. It's on the BBC.

Big game?
Massive.

Defending champions Spain weren't just beaten by Holland, they were annihilated in a stunning second half display with Robben and Van Persie at its heart.

Holland were in no way flattered by the 5-1 scoreline, in fact it could have been several more. The Chile clash is now a must win game for the Spaniards. Defeat to Chile will mean that their final group match against Australia will likely be a dead rubber.

Chile got off to a cracking start against the Aussies but faded somewhat in the face of the Australian's industry. Tim Cahill lead them superbly and got them back into it. Beausejour's late goal made the scoreline a flattering 3-1 but the overall Chilean performance will give Spain hope that they can get something here.

Chile won't want to have to get something against the high flying Dutch to qualify, so will go hell for leather to win this one.

Fascinating Spain fact?
Spain is the least densely populated country in Europe, with just 202 inhabitants per square mile

Any famous Chileans?
Well there's Santigo Cabrera, you know, Aramis off The Musketeers


Who's playing for Spain?
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Napoli), David De Gea (Manchester United).

Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Jordi Alba (Barcelona).

Midfielders: Xavi (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich).

Forwards: David Silva (Manchester City), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Pedro (Barcelona), Juan Mata (Manchester United), David Villa (Atletico Madrid)

Who's playing for Chile?
Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad), Johnny Herrera (Universidad de Chile), Cristopher Toselli (Universidad Catolica).

Defenders: Gary Medel (Cardiff City), Gonzalo Jara (Nottingham Forest), Jose Rojas (Universidad de Chile), Eugenio Mena (Santos), Mauricio Isla (Juventus).


Midfielders: Jorge Valdivia (Palmeiras), Felipe Gutierrez (Twente), Jose Pedro Fuenzalida (Colo Colo), Francisco Silva (Osasuna), Arturo Vidal (Juventus), Charles Aranguiz (Internacional), Marcelo Diaz (Basel), Carlos Carmona (Atalanta), Miiko Albornoz (Malmo).

Forwards: Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona), Esteban Paredes (Colo Colo) Eduardo Vargas (Valencia), Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic), Mauricio Pinilla (Cagliari), Fabian Orellana (Celta).

Any useless stats and info?
Of course, here you go:

• Chile have never Spain, losing to them on eight occasions and chalking up just two draws. 

• They first met at 1950 World Cup in the Maracanã, Spain winning 2-0.

• Their last encounter was a 2-2 draw in Geneva in Spetember 2013.

• They last met in the World Cup in 2010. Spain won 2-1 thanks to goals from David Villa and Iniesta. Marco Estrada was sent off for Chile.

Prediction:
Going for high scoring draw in this one.

Match Preview: Brazil v Mexico

Who is playing?
Brazil v Mexico. Group A. Tuesday 16th June 2000 BST



Where are they playing?
Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza

Arena Castelão is located in the south of the city of Fortaleza, about 6 miles from the Dragão do Mar area and Iracema beach.

The stadium has been extensively upgraded for the tournament. The bottom tier has been been completely rebuilt, the top tier refurbished and a new roof installed.


Can I watch it on the telly?
You can. It's on the BBC.

Big game?
Massive.

Brazil may have trotted out 3-1 winners over Croatia, but I bet you were swearing at the ref while you were watching it. We were.

Neymar can consider himself a very lucky lad to have still been on the pitch to score Brazil's opener, the penalty award was a total joke and there were countless other decisions that niggled.

Certainly if Croatia has a half decent keeper, things could have turned out very differently and that Brazilian back line doesn't look like it could survive an all out offensive onslaught.

If the host want to win the hearts and minds of those of us not wearing yellow, they have much to prove.

Mexico had to overcome the Cameroons and the dodgy ref and linos in their opening game. They won't make it easy for the host nation.

Fascinating Brazil fact?
The statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro weighs 635 tonnes, is 38 metres high including its pedestal and was named one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World”

Any famous Mexicans?
Salma Hayek, can't get better than that.

Who's playing for Brazil?
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Toronto FC, on loan from QPR), Jefferson (Botafogo), Victor (Atletico Mineiro).

Defenders: Marcelo (Real Madrid), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Maicon (AS Roma), Maxwell (Paris St-Germain), Thiago Silva (Paris St-Germain), David Luiz (Chelsea), Dante (Bayern Munich), Henrique (Napoli).

Midfielders: Paulinho (Tottenham Hotspur), Ramires (Chelsea), Willian (Chelsea), Oscar (Chelsea), Hernanes (Inter Milan), Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Fernandinho (Manchester City).

Forwards: Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk), Neymar (Barcelona), Fred (Fluminense), Jo (Atletico Mineiro), Hulk (Zenit St Petersburg).

Who's playing for Mexico?
Goalkeepers: Jose de Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul), Guillermo Ochoa (Ajaccio), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca).
Defenders: Miguel Layun (America), Carlos Salcido (Tigres), Paul Aguilar (America), Andres Guardado (Bayer Leverkusen), Hector Moreno (Espanyol), Francisco Javier Rodriguez (America), Diego Reyes (Porto), Rafael Marquez (Leon).

Midfielders: Miguel Angel Ponce (Toluca), Jose Juan Vazquez (Leon), Luis Montes (Leon), Hector Herrera (Porto), Isaac Brizuela (Toluca), Marco Fabian (Cruz Azul), Carlos Pena (Leon).

Forwards: Oribe Peralta (Santos), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Giovani dos Santos (Villarreal), Raul Jimenez (America), Alan Pulido (Tigres).

Mario Jorge Lobo Zagalo

Any useless stats and info?
Of course, here you go:

• The two nations have faced each other on 38 occasions, Brazil winning 22, Mexico 10 and there have been 6 draws.

• They first met at 1950 World Cup. Brazil's Marques de Ademir Menezes scored twice in a 4-0 win.

• Their last World Cup encounter was in Chile in 1962. Mario Jorge Lobo Zagalo and Pele got the goals as Brazil won 2-0.

• Mexico's last win over Brazil was as recently as June 2012. Javier Hernandez scored a penalty as Mexico won 2-0.

Prediction:
Sorry Mexico, got to go with a Brazil win, let's hope it's a fair fight though.

Spain v Holland preview

England v Italy preview

Argentina v Bosnia Herzegovina preview

Germany v Portugal preview

Martin O' Neill talks about the Roy Keane to Villa possibility

“I want to be careful about jumping the gun because we had him signed, sealed and delivered to Celtic and that did not materialise, I don’t really know if this is something that he is going to have a serious look at.


“But if he is then I will definitely speak  to Paul Lambert – and see if that kind of role can be combined.

“One thing I want to establish is what sort of in-depth conversations have gone on. I have spoken to Paul Lambert. Paul has spoken to Roy about the possibility of it happening. Nothing definitive has happened and I don’t really know what sort of commitment would entail. If he is actually a full-blooded assistant then that is something to consider.

“I don’t mind it going on for a week or two. Celtic wanted something in place as they have games coming up quite soon. And I assume Aston Villa will want to get something in place by the time they start pre-season. I don't want it to be continued right through until August time.”

Martin O’Neill gives Roy Keane July deadline for Villa decision

Match Preview: Germany v Portugal

Who is playing?
Germany v Portugal. Group G. Monday 16th June 1700 BST

Where are they playing?
Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador.

We burbled on about this stadium in our Spain v Holland preview so have a butchers at that if you missed it.




Can I watch it on the telly?

You can. It's on ITV if you can manage to get home from work in time.


Big game?
Huge.

Cristiano Ronaldo may be considered to be the bee's knees but can you ever be considered to be real great until you've shown it on the World Cup stage? He's yet to set the world alight in this particular tournament and has the weight of expectation on his shoulders. His 65 minute cameo appearance as Portugal hammered Ireland 5-1 in their last warm up game showed that he is ready for the fray.

Any World Cup involving the Germans is a massive deal and they certainly have enough talent in the squad to have a chance against any other team in the competition. The Germans haven't won a tournament since Euro 96 and that must really rankle.

Portugal will want revenge for being dumped out of Euro 2012.


Any famous Germans?
Loads. There was Horst Buchholz out of the Magnificent Seven, Gert "Goldfinger" Frobe, there's Steffi Graf and Boris Becker from the tennis world and top model Claudia Schiffer



Any famous Portuguese?
Well, there's world famous explorer Dom Vasco da Gama. Most of the other famous Portugeezers we've heard of are footballers.



Who's playing for Germany?
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia Dortmund), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover)

World Cup Goal Machine Klose

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Erik Durm (Borussia Dortmund), Kevin Grosskreutz (Borussia Dortmund), Benedikt Howedes (Schalke), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), Shkodran Mustafi (Sampdoria).

Midfielders: Julian Draxler (Schalke), Matthias Ginter (Freiburg), Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich), Christoph Kramer (Borussia Monchengladbach), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Andre Schurrle (Chelsea), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich).

Forwards: Miroslav Klose (Lazio), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal).

Pepe

Who's playing for Portugal?
Goalkeepers: Beto (Sevilla), Eduardo (Braga), Rui Patricio (Sporting).

Defenders: Andre Almeida (Benfica), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahce), Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid), Joao Pereira (Valencia), Neto (Zenit), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ricardo Costa (Valencia).

Midfielders: Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Miguel Veloso (Dinamo Kiev), Raul Meireles (Fenerbahce), Ruben Amorim (Benfica), William Carvalho (Sporting).

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Eder (SC Braga), Helder Postiga (Lazio), Hugo Almeida (Besiktas), Nani (Manchester United), Rafa (Braga), Varela (FC Porto), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg).

Any useless stats and info?

Schweinsteiger's pulled

Of course, here you go:

• The two nations have faced each other on 17 occasions, Germany winning nine, Portugal three and there have been five draws.

• Their encounter at the 2006 Tournament was the 3rd Place Play Off match. Bastian Schweinsteiger scored twice in Germany's 3-1 win

• Germany knocked Portugal out of Euro 2008 at the Quarter Final stage. Schweinsteiger was again on target, while Klose and Michael Ballack also got on the scoresheet in a 3-2 victory.

• Portugal's last win over Germany was way back at Euro 2000. A Sergio Conceicao hat trick saw them win 3-0

Prediction:
A Portuguese win to put the cat amongst the pigeons.

Brazil v Croatia preview

Spain v Holland preview

England v Italy preview

Argentina v Bosnia Herzegovina preview

Joe Cole England vs Sweden World Cup 2006 1st goal

Joe Cole signs for Villa

Joe Cole signing confirmed

Who said Joe was all washed up?

Joe Cole has completed his surprise move to Aston Villa following a medical. He's signed a two year deal.

The former West Ham, Chelsea and Liverpool start joins Villa to attempt to revive his career. He made just six Premier League starts for The Hammers last term though he was a regular in their Capital One Cup run.

Once a key part of the England set up, Cole achieved 56 caps netting ten times. 

He is currently doing his coaching badges so presumably intends to stay in the game when his playing career comes to an end.

"I've signed a two-year deal and I am very excited about it, coming to a massive club. I'm very excited about it and can't wait to get going," he said.

"I spoke to the gaffer and we agree on a lot of things in football and playing in a central midfield role sold it for me.

"I'll be coming here and I'll be learning too. Obviously I'll bring my experience to the squad but you still learn every day and I want to learn.

"I know I'll learn from the manager, I'll learn from other players here and going forward together we want to get the best results for the club.

"It will be exciting to play with the young players here. I'll be trying to keep hold of the ball, make some goals and score some goals. It'a a great challenge. I can't wait to get started."

listen to ‘Joe Cole joins Villa’ on Audioboo