Breaking News: Bent Signs

[Marlon From Bearwood]

What a difference 48 hours makes. From being a goal down at Small Heath, staring another Derby defeat in the face, a relegation battle sure to follow, nothing exciting likely to happen in the transfer market...

Now this!

Optimism, looking forward to a match this Saturday for the first time in ages, as we start to climb the table and end up, who knows where...

Funny old game football.

[Holtenderinthesky]

The Bent to Chelsea rumours seem to be gathering pace now on the net.  Come on Villa sign him up and prove them wrong.  (And stop me panicking).   

Where?

Think it started on Talksport.  Trying to undermine us again no doubt.  Seems bollocks now though.  Hopefully.

[eastie]

I think in o neills 1st season we were around the bottom 6 at this stage- managers need time, I fully expect us to finish around 10th at worst- houllier will get it right .

[Concrete John]

nothing yet on sky sports but David beckham has apparently stopped to sign autographs at spurs 

I can just see it now:-

Sky cameras live at BH and everyone takes their seats.  As soon as Gezza starts talking they go back to the studio - "Sorry to interrupt proceedings at Villa Park [no, that was deliberate as they won't know!], but we have breaking news as David Beckham is changing his boots!!  Next up we have expert analysis of what lead to this decision and the ramifications it will have for the game."

[glasses]

where you getting this from?

SSN

Therefore so true, it is as if whispered by Randy himself.

Thanks. Im at work, therefore not by a tv. Should be working mind!

[Marlon From Bearwood]

I think in o neills 1st season we were around the bottom 6 at this stage- managers need time, I fully expect us to finish around 10th at worst- houllier will get it right .

Weren't Spurs bottom of the league in October/November a couple of years agao and still could/should have made Europe.

Its so close this year that if we go on a good run Feb-April we can definately get top 8.

[Surrey Villain]

Yes: Aston Villa are pleased to announce the signing of Marcus Bent.

ITSOTP!

Naughty Jimbo!

[MalcolmP]

4pm press conference with DB / GH at B6

I'll believe it when its announced on the official site rather than Sky - nothing on there yet!

[kippaxvilla2]

Its just been on the Radio 5 sports bulletin - £18m agreed rising to £24m, press conference this afternoon.  Now I actually believe its true.

[fbriai]

Not seen this elsewhere, but apologies if it's already been posted. Provides a fuller picture of McCarthy's thoughts than the earlier Telegraph article that only referenced the 'I wonder what MON's thinking?' part. The last bit is the best.

By Bill Howell in the Mail.

Darren Bent transfer to Aston Villa will be felt throughout Premier League says Mick McCarthy

MICK McCarthy believes Villa’s £18 million deal for Darren Bent could have a domino effect throughout the Premier League.

“It could change things,” he said. “It will throw something up, there’s no question.

“We will get to the 31st and then all start running around like blue-arsed flies because someone has become available that nobody thought would.

“Of course we’re continuing to look. We had Steve Sidwell here on the running machine – that deal was as good as done and that’s what we’re looking at.

“We’d still like something like that, but if we can’t do it, we can’t do it.

“We shouldn’t stop looking elsewhere to take a chance and get players in though.”

The Wolves boss has no gripes with Villa over their sensational dart into the transfer market for Bent.

“Good for them. I just wonder what Martin O’Neill is thinking!” he joked.

“It was said to me they were selling players, but good luck to them. There’s nothing we can do to affect it. I’m sure the French midfielder (Jean Makoun) will find out how difficult the Premier League is.

“Bent has been there, seen it, done it – but it doesn’t always work out that they move and it is seamless. He has been having a great time at Sunderland, it didn’t appear he had a great time when he first went to Tottenham.

“Aston Villa are having a few problems at the minute, but finished sixth three years on the bounce. They strike me as a real top club. Going out and spending that kind of money is what top clubs do and they expect to be up near the top not near the bottom.”

[pauliewalnuts]

“Aston Villa are having a few problems at the minute, but finished sixth three years on the bounce. They strike me as a real top club. Going out and spending that kind of money is what top clubs do and they expect to be up near the top not near the bottom.”

Fair play to the bloke.

[kippaxvilla2]

Can we change the thread title to include ...now with added press conference at 4pm.

[CJ]

Fair play to McCarthy - much prefer his comments to the snide hypocritical pot shots from Holloway

[Risso]

I always did quite like McCarthy.  Tells it like it is, without the need to become a parody of himself like Holloway.

[Mazrim]

I've always liked Mick. He's a dour sod but you cant help but like him.