Villa shows faith in Spain depth

Barcelona striker David Villa has played down his absence from the Spain national team at Euro 2012.

The 30-year-old striker ruled himself out of selection for the finals in Poland and Ukraine as he is still nursing a fractured tibia sustained at the Club World Cup in December.

His unavailability has been described by Spain coach Vicente del Bosque as a heavy blow, but Villa thinks that Spain have other quality attacking options available.

“One is always happy that people regret their absence, but Spain will not miss me,” he told reporters.

“There are great goal-poachers on the team and any player can score. I have a great affection for Fernando Torres and I think he is in great form after what he undeservedly went through.”

Villa, who visited Spain’s training base on Thursday, explained how he told Del Bosque that he would not be able to make the squad for Euro 2012.

“I worked until the end and they waited until the last moment to see how my recovery was going,” he said.

“But when there were a few days left for the announcement of the squad, I told him [Del Bosque] that I was not at a level good enough to compete, that I was not in the shape for the national team, and that I would not be at my best.

“I was true to myself, Barcelona and Spain.”

Questioned about Spain’s chances in Poland and Ukraine, Villa said: “We have won the right to be called favourites after four years filled with success.

“But when the tournament starts, every team will have the same chances.”

Spain begin the defence of their European crown against Italy in Group C on June 10.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/villa-shows-faith-in-spain-depth/95619/

M'Vila injured in France win World Soccer Shop

A potentially serious injury to key midfielder Yann M'Vila took the shine off an otherwise encouraging 2-0 victory for France over Serbia.

M'Villa: Hobbles out of France's clash with Serbia

Rennes midfielder M'Vila took a kick to the ankle from Dusan Tadic in the opening exchanges and although he tried to carry on he left the pitch in obvious distress with just four minutes on the clock.

His team-mates went on to win with ease, scoring early goals through Franck Ribery and Florent Malouda while creating several other chances, but it will be the diagnosis for his central lynchpin that will most concern Laurent Blanc with less than two weeks until the start of their Euro 2012 campaign.

Germany continue to search for their form nine days ahead of their Euro 2012 bow against Portugal after stumbling to a 2-0 friendly win over Israel in Leipzig.

Against the nation ranked 58 in the world by FIFA, Mario Gomez gave Joachim Low's side the lead just before the break.

A late goal from Andre Schurrle earned Germany a slightly more respectable margin of victory but, after losing 5-3 to Switzerland last weekend, Low still has a lot of fine-tuning to do before things get serious on June 9.

Kiriakos Papadopoulos scored the only goal in the 24th minute as Greece completed preparations for the European Championship finals by claiming their first win in five games against Armenia.

Fernando Santos' side faced going to the finals in disarray after failing to win in any of their four previous friendlies, including a disappointing 1-1 draw against Slovenia in Kufstein last Saturday.

The early strike from Papadopoulos will have restored confidence in the Greek side, who begin their finals campaign against hosts Poland in the opening match next Friday.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17558/m_vila_injured_in_france_win

Norwich boss Paul Lambert holding talks with Aston Villa

Norwich boss Paul Lambert’s agents are in talks with Premier League rivals Aston Villa about the Scot becoming the next Villa boss.

Villa have been linked with numerous candidates since Alex McLeish’s departure from Villa Park earlier this month.

Candidates

Villa offered Wigan boss Roberto Martinez the position last summer, only for the Spaniard to turn them down in favour of staying at Wigan.

The 38 year-old has also turned down the chance to move to Liverpool this summer. Wigan owner Dave Whelan has stated that he is staying with the Latic’s.

Molde boss and former-Manchester striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also held talks with the Midlands club but decided to stay in Norway. The Norwegian made an impressive start to his managerial career guiding Molde to their first ever league championship in his first season as a boss.

Disagreement

Its been reported that Norwich boss Paul Lambert had some sort of disagreement with the Norwich board on Wednesday night, which could speed up his departure from Carrow Road. Lambert has previously stated that he is happy at Norwich but it now seems that he could be on the move.

Rise

Paul Lamberts reputation as a manager has been increased by his club achieving consecutive promotions and holding their own in the Premier League. Lambert is a highly-rated boss and is also highly-respected in coaching circles within the game.

Lambert has been compared to former-Villa boss Martin O’Neill in the past, because of his image and his passion on the touchline. Also because he has had a similar managerial career path to the Ulsterman.

Needed

Paul Lambert is the sort of bright young boss that is desperately needed at Villa Park. The club has been in a slump in recent seasons, mostly due to selling their best players. Villa are in need of some fresh impetus and ideas.

Lambert is just the sort of young manager who can provide them with it. He will bring the sort of fresh approach needed at the club.

Hard

The Villa hotseat is a really difficult one to be in at the moment. Villa owner Randy Lerner doesn’t seem to want to spend anymore money on the club. Although his approach could change with the appointment of a new manager.

If it doesn’t then the new manager, whether it is Lambert or somebody else will be doing their job with one hand tied behind his back. The Villa squad is in desperate need of strengthening with the club having to rely on youngster for a lot of last season.

Villa finished the season just three points above the relegation zone and Alex McLeish paid the price for that disappointment. The truth is though the players at the club are no longer good enough.

Big

Although Norwich finished higher in the Premier League than Aston Villa last season the Villans are still a far bigger club.

Their history, tradition and trophies outweigh that of the Canaries. Usually a move from Norwich to Villa would be seen as a step up for a manager but at the moment I’m not so sure it is. Lambert has build a good team in East Anglia and the morale seems far higher at Norwich than Villa right now.

Potential

Maybe Paul Lambert sees the potential that Villa hold and believes he can resurrect the clubs flagging fortunes. The Scot could see it as a challenge to get Villa back towards the top of the Premier League table.

Lambert strikes me as the kind of boss who would enjoy such a challenge. I just hope he is prepared for the mammoth size of his task.

Gamble

Appointing Paul Lambert as their new manager would be a great move for Aston Villa. However with his stock currently so high in the game at the moment I’m not so sure it would be a great move for Lambert.

The Scot is a good manager but if it doesn’t work out for him at Villa his reputation could take a terrible blow. I just hope for his sake and Villa’s sake that if he does take the job he is a resounding success.

Should Paul Lambert move to Aston Villa?

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/norwich-boss-paul-lambert-holding-talks-with-aston-villa/95570/

Villa to hold Lambert talks World Soccer Shop

Paul Lambert's representatives are to meet with Aston Villa on Thursday as the Norwich boss looks set to switch to their Premier League rivals.

Lambert: Aston Villa to hold talks

Lambert has emerged as the leading target for the Villa Park vacancy and Sky Sports revealed on Wednesday that the Midlands side were ready to make an official approach.

It is understood that the highly-regarded Scottish boss had a row with the Canaries board on Wednesday night, which could hasten his departure for Villa.

The Villans have been searching for a new manager following their decision to axe Alex McLeish earlier this month after just one unhappy season at the helm.

Lambert has earned plaudits throughout the game for his achievements with the Canaries as he guided the Carrow Road club to back-to-back promotions before enjoying an impressive first season in the Premier League.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Roberto Martinez were earlier in the frame for the Villa job, with the former Manchester United striker opting to stay with Molde, while Wigan's Martinez is due to remain at the DW Stadium despite also being linked with Liverpool.

Villa chairman Randy Lerner stated when McLeish was axed that he was looking to bring in a "new manager who sees the club's potential and embraces our collective expectations".

And it appears that Lambert fits the bill, despite the Canaries previously vowing they would fight to retain his services and the former Colchester, Wycombe and Livingston boss stating recently he was happy in his current post.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17514/villa_to_hold_lambert_talks

Villa set for Lambert approach World Soccer Shop

Aston Villa have made Norwich manager Paul Lambert their number one target and are set to make an official approach in the next 24 hours.

Lambert: Villa's number one target

Lambert has emerged as favourite for the Villa Park post in recent days, despite his denial earlier this month that he had been contacted about any job.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Roberto Martinez have been amongst the names ruled out, but Lambert now looks to be the man that Villa chiefs have highlighted as their number one target.

Lambert has produced wonders at Carrow Road since taking charge in 2009, guiding them to successive promotions up to the Premier League.

And in their first season back in the top-flight, Norwich finished 12th - earning Lambert a huge amount of plaudits.

His progress with Norwich has not gone unnoticed and now Villa are ready to make their move.

More to follow...

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17476/villa_set_for_lambert_approach

Reina rues absent Villa

Spain goalkeeper Pepe Reina said David Villa’s unavailability for Euro 2012 is a major blow, claiming the striker is also a big off-field presence.

The country’s all-time record goalscorer Villa was forced to admit defeat last week in his battle to recover in time from the fractured tibia he suffered during the Club World Cup in December when representing Barcelona.

“I have wanted to give him a hug because I have not seen him recently,” Reina told Marca.

“But we talk every day and soon I will be able to give him a hug.

“The group will miss him, both as a player and a person. But we have no other option but to encourage him and hope that he returns as soon as possible.”

While Reina was unable to comfort Villa in person, he was on hand to support Roberto Soldado, who was excluded from Vicente del Bosque’s 23-man squad for Poland and Ukraine.

“We went to have a coke and I told him that in the future he will definitely have many opportunities with the national team,” he said.

“I know that for him and the other guys it was not easy to continue with us for these past four days (after the squad announcement), but they have to maintain their enthusiasm and keep fighting.”

Spain will open their campaign against Italy, whose preparations have been overshadowed by the enforced withdrawal of left-back Domencio Criscito due to his alleged involvement in a match-fixing scandal in Serie A.

Reina admitted he does know the full ins and outs of the story, but the controversy has taken him by surprise.

“We do not have much knowledge of what is happening but it is obviously not normal,” the Liverpool goalkeeper confessed.

“Photos have come out and it’s a surprise. We’ll see what happens but, of course, we are surprised.”

Defending champions Spain also have Republic of Ireland and Croatia for company in Euro 2012 Group C.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/reina-rues-absent-villa/95533/

Solskjaer out of Villa running World Soccer Shop

Aston Villa have confirmed that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will not become the club's new manager following further talks with the Molde coach.

Solskjaer: No longer in contention to become Villa manager

The former Manchester United striker was interviewed by Villa owner Randy Lerner over the weekend.

But Solskjaer has opted not to be considered as Alex McLeish's successor for personal reasons.

Solskjaer was the favourite with the bookmakers to take charge of Villa who only just avoided relegation from the Premier League.

But sources close to the club are keen to stress Solskjaer was never offered the job by Lerner.

Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner will now step up their bid in other directions to replace McLeish who was sacked nine days ago.

Brendan Rodgers (Swansea), Paul Lambert (Norwich) and Roberto Martinez (Wigan) are potential candidates.

Rodgers and Lambert impressed with their respective clubs during their first season in the Premier League although it is understood Villa have yet to approach either club.

Martinez turned down the chance to take charge at Villa last summer after Gerard Houllier was forced to quit on health grounds.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/16956/solskjaer_out_of_villa_running

Pique: Villa close to return

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique says team-mate David Villa could make his eagerly-awaited return in Friday’s Copa del Rey final.

The forward has been out of action since fracturing his tibia in December last year, but is hoping to prove his fitness to Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque in time for Euro 2012 by returning to action against Athletic Bilbao.

“I see that he’s doing well,” Pique told reporters on Tuesday.

“He has had a major injury, but is eager and every day is like a final for him. I can see him making the Copa final.”

The game at the Vicente Calderon is also of huge significance to Pep Guardiola, as it will be his last outing before he steps down as Barcelona coach after four successful seasons.

Pique has been in and out of Barcelona’s starting line-up recently, amid reports he has fallen out with his coach.

But the centre-back said he would be sorry to see Guardiola depart Camp Nou.

“His departure will be traumatic for me,” the former Manchester United defender said.

“I feel like I’m a better player because of him and the whole team has learned a lot from him.

“He will leave a gap, but (successor) Tito (Vilanova) will move us forward and do very well. Tito speaks the language of Barcelona.”

As for Barca’s hopes of ending Guardiola’s tenure with a 14th trophy, Pique is taking nothing for granted against an Athletic side he respects.

“With (coach Marcelo) Bielsa, Athletic press a lot and it will be a very intense game,” the 25-year-old said.

“I see no favourite. It is a 50-50 game. So, we will fight hard to take the title.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/pique-villa-close-to-return/95094/

Laursen rules out Villa job World Soccer Shop

Martin Laursen has ruled out returning as Aston Villa boss this summer but admits it would be "a dream" for him to take charge in the future.

Laursen: Too soon for Villa job

Former Denmark international Laursen was forced to quit Villa and retire three years ago because of a knee problem.

There has been speculation linking Laursen with a return to Villa but he is currently taking his coaching badges while part of the staff at Danish side Sollerod-Vedbaek.

Laursen said: "That (the speculation) is flattering but it (Villa) is too soon for me, I'm afraid.

"I'm taking my coaching badges in Denmark and coaching at Sollerod to get some experience.

"It is going well but to manage Villa is too early. In the future, that would be a dream for me.

"Fans know how much I love Villa, a great club."

Villa are continuing their hunt for a new manager after holding informal talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers and Norwich's Paul Lambert remain amongst potential candidates although Press Association Sport understands Villa have yet to approach either club.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/16906/laursen_rules_out_villa_job