VIDEO: Libor Kozak scores then proves he's got really sharp elbows

Villa's latest acquisition, Czech international Libor Kozak certainly made an impression in Italy last night, giving the Czechs a shock lead and then putting an Azzuri veteran in hospital.

The goal came from a Petr Jiracek sprint down the left. His tantalising cross found Kozak who athletically volleyed the ball home.

Later, Manuel Pasqual ended up in hospital for tests after he required anaesthesia and stitches in the Italy locker room.

The 31-year-old Fiorentina captain, in his first international appearance since 2006, was stretchered off with a nasty looking gash after Kozak managed to find him with his elbow.

“Pasqual has a very deep cut to his forehead,” Professor Enrico Castellacci told RAI Sport viewers.

“It opened up completely and hit an artery. We want to reassure his family members, the lad is fine now and we were able to anaesthetise him and add some stitches in the locker room. We basically had to stabilise his condition in the stadium to block off the artery.

"With such a violent collision, it was only right to send him off to hospital for tests, but he’s absolutely fine."

Italy bounced back from Libor's opener to win 2-1 with goals from Giorgio Chiellini and Mario Balotelli, booking their place at the 2014 World Cup in the process. 

Video: Gabby takes out One Direction's Louis Thingymabob

They'll be a minute's silence for Louis Tomlinson before Saturday's match with Newcastle #tragic

— villamad.co.uk (@villamadtweets) September 8, 2013

I didn't see it myself, but apparently Louis Tomlinson was even physically sick coming off the pitch after being crunched by Agbonlahor

— James Nursey (@JamesNursey) September 8, 2013

BREAKING NEWS: Gabby Agbonlahor knighted for services to music...

— villamad.co.uk (@villamadtweets) September 8, 2013

At Stiliyan Petrov's charity game One Direction gets clattered by Gabby Agbonlahor, subbed, vomits. pic.twitter.com/VTtmIzqkEa

— Kelly Cates (@KellyCates) September 8, 2013

Louis "I wasn't really being sick, it was a tribute to Tommy Johnson..."

— villamad.co.uk (@villamadtweets) September 8, 2013

Tommy "Der Hammer" Hitzlsperger quits with "chronic injuries"

Barry Bannan signs for Crystal Palace

Scotland international midfielder Barry Bannan has moved to Crystal Palace on a three year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The player  never managed to fully establish himself in Villa's first team, despite several appearances for several managers.

Things came to a head as the squad returned for pre-season training and he found himself training away from the first team squad with outcasts such as Stephen Ireland and Alan Hutton.

However, Gordon Strachan continued to show faith in him, continuing to pick him for the Scotland squad.

Early on, Villa fans were enthusiastic about the player but he became notorious for his over-ambitious "Hollywood" passes and his relationship with sections of the crowd deteriorated badly.

Barry told Palace's website “I was at Blackpool with the gaffer here when they got promotion that year and that was probably the highlight of my career so far.

“It is a big move for me to leave Villa and I would like to thank the fans there but it's a new chapter in my life now and I can't wait to get started.

“I want to get myself in the door and start training and hopefully get myself in the team. I haven't played this season and didn't much last year so I can't wait to get going.”

Czech bounces into Villa: Libor Kozák signs

Villa have pulled off a late deal to sign Lazio striker Libor Kozák – the leading scorer in last season’s Europa League on a four year deal.

"I'm really happy to be at Aston Villa and I'm ready for this new step in my career," said  Kozak.

"I hope it's a good step for me and also for Villa because everything is about the team. This is a big club, a very historic club with a fantastic fanbase and, for me, this is really important. From when I was a young boy, I have dreamt of playing in the Premier League and to do this with a club such as Villa is incredibly motivating. It's real now and I'm very happy about this."

Despite smashing them in all over Europe, the 24-year-old Czech Republic international failed to get on the score sheet in Serie A where he was very much in the shadow of Miroslav Klose.

At 6ft 3in he gives another lofty option to a Villa attacking squad which already boasts Christian Benteke, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Andreas Weismann, Jordan Bowery and Nicklas Helenius.

Kozak is Villa’s seventh signing this summer and we have also tied down several of our exciting young prospects to new contracts.

Paul Lambert said "Libor has an unbelievable scoring record in the Europa League, incredible really. He wasn't given much opportunity for Lazio in Serie A but he showed proper potential in leading the line there at a strong club with a great tradition and we need somebody like him as we only have Christian Benteke really as a main target man.

"He'll take that burden off Christian and he'll add greatly to what we've got, with the likes of Nicklas Helenius, who's a different type of player, Gabby Agonlahor, Aleks Tonev and Andi Weimann in that area of the pitch where we can hurt teams. Libor's powerful, too, and I'm looking forward to working with him. We needed to bring in someone like Libor to help the overall philosophy to work.

"It's a matter of him now integrating with the group, which he'll do. We've brought in seven players this summer and we're trying to build the squad. It's getting there, no doubt about that and we'll keep building it."

Sparky saves Stephen Ireland from the bomb squad

Stoke City have rescued mercurial midfielder Stephen Ireland from the Bodymoor Heath wilderness by signing him on a season long loan deal.

Villa are more than happy to let Ireland trot off to the Potteries with the 27-year-old being informed he does not figure in Paul Lambert's long-term plans.

The former Republic of Ireland international has been training with the nippers with his last appearance for Villa coming way back in January in the ill-fated Bradford City match.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes knows midfielder of old having got the best out of him during his time in charge of Manchester City and was keen on a reunion.

Stoke's Chief Executive Tony Scholes said: “Stephen is a player that Mark knows really well and when the opportunity arose he was keen to add him to his midfield and attacking options.

“Arguably the most successful period of Stephen’s career to date was when he played for Mark at Manchester City and we hope that he can rediscover that form.”

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