I really didn't think it would take long for the rumours to start piling up again and while they are all pure speculation, the AVFC Blog understands that most are paper talk, published to fill some column inches.

Bill Howell is clearly back off holiday as he seems to be writing about nothing else but Villa at the moment.

I was honestly under the impression that he'd been moved on from writing about Villa, not just because he was a West Brom fan but for getting banned from the training ground. But after all his hard efforts in finally seeing through the blarney and squaring up to the previous incumbent, I'm slightly pleased he's back.

He's certainly more preferable than that Hyder Jawad that published his open letter to Richard FitzGerald moments after the new CEO arrived. This reminds me, Richard, or Fitzy as we're going to start to refer to him here, will be answering your questions very soon and we'll publish the answers in the near future.

Anyway, back to the speculation. Bill Howell has spoken with Alex Black, who is Alan Smiths agent and the 'Birmingham Mail understands a move to Villa Park would appeal to the 26-year-old should United decide to cash in'.

Now, my money is on Bill Howell having a relationship with Alex Black, who if memory serves me correctly is also the agent for our very own Gareth Barry and quite possibly a few other Aston Villa players. If he does and the Birmingham Mail understands that Smith would be happy with a move to Villa Park, then is he someone you think O'Neill would be interested in? I think yes.

Of course, this could be all paper talk but Bill Howell has come up with another one today; Royston Drenthe. Drenthe currently plays for Feyenoord Rotterdam pretty much anywhere on the left, but his preferred position is left back.

He's also just turned 20, so fits in with the 'buy young' policy O'Neill seems to adopting. Bright future anyone?

Last rumour of the day, hopefully, is that of Scotland's number one, Craig Gordon. It's not so much a rumour, but Leicester City goalkeeper Rab Douglas is telling anyone that will listen that for £5mn. it's a steal. I'd pay £5mn. for Gordon if I had $1bn. and Thomas Sorensen. I might even pay more.

Comments (13)

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Dutch Villan said:

Damian, just a small unsignificant correction to the Royston Drenthe rumour, his preferred position is left midfield not left back, there was an interview with him on dutch tv last night after Holland's U-21 match, and he actually said that he hates playing left back but that he's forced to do so for Feijenoord. Playing for Holland U-21 he's trying to prove his point that he's better as a left midfielder... and I think he pretty much made his point already.

June 14, 2007

Damian said:

cheers Dutch Villan i'm only going on what i read ... i bow to your, erm, television viewing habits cheers

June 14, 2007

av-jim-fc said:

good stuff

June 14, 2007

Ghosthunter said:

Smith would be a good addition. Whilst I wouldn't say he's 'world class' he would bring more strength in depth. I don't think he's someone we would see in the starting 11 week in week out but our subs bench would be looking better and, for me, I think that's what we need. We have some good players with excellent potential but, as last season proved, it's a thin squad and I'd have Smith over someone like McCann every day of the week.

June 14, 2007

stmart said:

regarding the questions thing, i was wondering whats being done to make sure players settle quicker at the club, considering both maloney and petrov have taken time, in big european clubs someone is asigned to them to help them find accomidation and help the family with finding schools and other stuff? oh and Royston Drenthe was amazing last night switching wing and some dazzling skills usefull addition if he comes.

June 14, 2007

stan said:

I fear Bill Howell watched tv last night too and decided to write something of no significance to anyone!!

June 14, 2007

VijayD said:

We should be in there with Spurs and Westham slugging it out for Darren Bent, maybe we cannot afford him???? and they can???

June 14, 2007

tim!!!! said:

i would like to have all three players at the club, cos they would all at least improve the strentgh and depth of the tram, which is what we're lackin!! if we got the money spend it!!! and lets se some buying!! i'm jus curios we're do you get all the links/ rumour from, cos i'm a big fan and look everyday for players we're linked with but i havn't seen these rumours!! where did you get them from????

June 14, 2007

Nick123 said:

I reckon that smith would be a good addition. he would probably score about 15 goals a season for us. I reckon that John Carew will be a massive asset for us next year. He's likely to score 20 or more. There's not much activity at Villa at the moment. its a bit annoying!! the new kit hasn't been released, new website hasn't been released and we haven't sign a single player!!! we need to buy before the targets were after are snapped up.

June 14, 2007

leigh said:

If anyone saw the U21s tonight you would have saw man of the match Ash Young disgrace many a would be defender. It just became apparant why MON signed him...He really is a highly skilled player. C mon, if you were seriously a Villa fan you would have been thinking...9.25mil, what the fu....But Ash really does have game, i think that left hand role really suits him and with Carew and another big name striker not named Bellamy, Villa is ready to raid the top 6! Gabby plus Berger and Barry and Mellberg who has stuck it out for years for us deserve

June 14, 2007

leigh said:

.............our respect. Just a decent striker to compliment Carew and we are set. Lets get Kone already, he is quality, Bellamy is going to the Hammers and Bent is off to the Spurs, so lets look for a young striker with a point toprove.........

June 14, 2007

Pinky said:

david nugent is coming!!

June 19, 2007

JimNewbery said:

having seen Drenthe playing in the u21 tournament - he would be steal of the summer - looks such a quality player. the thought of him whipping thoses crosses into carew from the left is mouthwatering ! Really hope we make a move for him but i think his stock has gone up that much in the last few weeks it could be too late. Dont think Smith is the answer to the goals problem though - we have made so many mistakes signing underperforming strikers in the last 10 years the time has come to really make right moves now we have some cash again. Carew was a big step in the right direction but a workhorse like smith is not the answer. Someone along the lines of defoe or even a lita would be a better option to take some pressure off agbonlahor and moore.

June 21, 2007

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