Martin O'Neill knows that if he doesn't get European football this season, when it was literally within touching distance, that he has to next season, if only so we see progression but also to make up for not strengthening the squad in January.

He also knows he has to spend some of these huge sums of cash and the rumour today is, that it's going to be used to prise away James Beattie from Sheffield United.

How do we know this is just made up? Well, it's in the Mirror for starters. Secondly, he's not good enough and despite Martin O'Neill's ability to turn your run of the middle garden vegetable into part of an a la carte dish, that could be served up to Sir Alex Ferguson with a little gentle persuasion, he's no magician.

James Beattie has scored 13 goals in 27 appearances for Sheffield United which is a good return but in the same breath we should also tell you that he also scored 13 goals while at Everton, in 76 games.

Add to that that I don't think the fans would accept him, even after he shows his passion for the club and fighting spirit, says all the right things and kisses the badge after his first goal - class is needed and expected, not James Beattie.

Also, our international man of mystery hasn't broken the exclusive news that it's happening, so I'd not worry about it. Talking about Bill, have you seen the quick question to the right? It's asked on the back of Bill breaking the news of no big sponsor next season.

Comments (22)

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PJ said:

Also, DOL wanted him, which means MON can't. They don't think the same :0)

March 18, 2008

IanB said:

It's a sick joke. www.claretandbluewedding.com

March 18, 2008

Curlz said:

James Beatie is rubbish, we could of kept Moore if we wanted championship quality. Theo Walcott and Julia Baptista, thats what we want.

March 18, 2008 | url

EddyG87 said:

He's scored some cracking goals in his career but he's not premiership quality anymore I'm afraid.

March 18, 2008

Jimmy Villain said:

James Beattie is a washed up pork pie player, why the hell would MON want him.

March 18, 2008

richie p said:

hes not good enough for the villa and its not like hes in his prime anymore, hes past his best. hes scroing goals but thats in a championship league its big step to the premier league. hes not got the quality to fit into this villa squad

March 18, 2008

Chrisodon said:

We won't be signing him he's a fulham or someones type of buy. We'll have to set our standards higher than his quality and Mon knows this by the lack of goals from our front men, Plus we've got big marlon to be the big back up man. I Still say we should sign Foster, Brown, Fletcher, Sidwell, Bentley, & Owen. Seems un-realistic but alot of them could be seeking first team play or to play for a better team that's getting noticed by the england manager or scotland in fletchers case.

March 18, 2008

B6 Warrior said:

Y do we continue to get linked to british waste men? We really do need a different side to our game-we need foreign blood, not english trash!

March 18, 2008

Ads said:

Spurs get linked with David Villa, we get linked with James Beattie.............we have absolutely NO ambition whatsoever........we've been found out, the only way is down, O'Neill out.

March 18, 2008

dazz said:

Ads your typical, ain't got a clue. O'Neill out...my arse He knows what hes doin only YOU can't see it. Go support Small Heath Alliance if u don't know what ur talkin about

March 18, 2008

ShanghaiVillan said:

Ads, O'Neill out? You tart. James F. Beattie though? Yikes. MoN's talent for turd polishing is well known but this is one of those old turds that has gone white. Over - extending metaphors; just one of the reasons why I rarely post on here.

March 18, 2008

Abz said:

Whoever said Julio Baptista, great shout. Would love him at the Villa.. We need at least 5 players in this summer, 3 are definitely going. We can't have any more excuses about a small squad, otherwise we're going to fall behind..

March 18, 2008

richie p said:

o'neil out, i dont think so hes the best manager we have had in years n this is the best the villa hves been doin in years aswel n im puttin it down to o'neil's quality. its not luck that were doin well in the league i say its o'neil n his backroom staff

March 18, 2008

mike_roberts said:

Theo Walcott would be awesome, as would baptista. Anyone fancy a punt at henry? he's lookingto come back to prem so i read in the paper the other day. ive also heard bentley's name being linked with us.

March 18, 2008

Villa_Rules said:

If we sign him martin o neill needs his head looking at Turn defoe down and sign beatie ? Wrong move if martin signs him He has man boobs and i hate him beacause he turned us down on his way to everton so he dont deserve to wear the villa shirt if i see him in it il burn it while he is wearing it Beatie stay where you are we dont want YOU

March 18, 2008

andikan said:

This would be a typical MON signing. I spoke to a friend of mine who is a celtic fan and oceil tried to get Beattie when up there so dont be surprised if this is true!! I give up - we are all going to get our hopes up of quality signings and we will end up with Beattie, richardson, greening and stearman!!! stop speculating about anyone better because MON doesnt know how to attract them and wont pay the wages!! Thank god he is a man manager cause with the players we have we certainly wouldnt be in 7th. and wow if we finish 7th or 8th we arent exactly setting the world on fire. even oleary finished 6th in his 2nd season!!

March 18, 2008

Arrlui said:

We need Falcao and Guzan! Bentley would be nice.

March 19, 2008

Mick70 said:

If Beattie's progress, then we may as well give up now. I trust this is just a rumour, I hope MON knows better than that. Oh, and let's see some silly money at last this summer, recent results and quality of play confirm a major injection of quality is required if we are to be moving forward.

March 19, 2008

salty said:

I would still go for Milner and I rate Bentley. We need to pep up the midfield.

March 20, 2008

karl said:

With the players we have and time its taken i am happy with 6th i have a season ticket so i HAVE the right to moan now and again but i am happy with 80% of the this campain. Dont count on big players though this summer cause most players outside the UK have never heard of the Midlands Let alone the Villa, its london or the north, all we need it one big player to come and others will follow but it will take time. but if we are dreaming Owen 6m fletcher 3.5M beckham(why not)

March 22, 2008

Steve johnson said:

beattie is lazy!!! gabby doesnt look interested and carew is injury prone! reo goes missing but also gets in great positions to shoot, but cant!! we need 2-3 midfielders, 2 strikers, a goal keeper who can make decisions and catch the ball and a decent right back!!! we should get onouha, we need a player who can unlock defences as i feel our style is too predictable. we shud abroad as we need flair.

April 06, 2008

Hetty-Blade said:

Beattie is class He has been all season for us I personally hope you don't get him The goal on Tuesday proved what a great striker he is

April 10, 2008

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