Aston Villa release John Carew

[dave.woodhall]

Take three points off Stoke and they're right in the relegation battle. If I were Tony Pullis there's no way I'd risk a player who might be ineligible, no matter how slight the chance is.

and if the only thing preventing him from playing was a gentleman's agreement, Tony Pullis would probably be tempted to break it for exactly the same reasons.

We're not talking that though; Villa say he's not eligible. In that case it's not just the three points at stake, it's another three deducted. 

[Villa'Zawg]

Take three points off Stoke and they're right in the relegation battle. If I were Tony Pullis there's no way I'd risk a player who might be ineligible, no matter how slight the chance is.

and if the only thing preventing him from playing was a gentleman's agreement, Tony Pullis would probably be tempted to break it for exactly the same reasons.

We're not talking that though; Villa say he's not eligible. In that case it's not just the three points at stake, it's another three deducted. 

Both clubs must know for certain whether it was a loan deal or not, that isn't something the can be ambiguous about is it?

Edit: If it is a loan deal, he can't play. That's the PL rule.

[Greg N'Ash]

likewise if they bought his contract any "gentlemen agreements" aren't allowed so villa would be very stupid to admit to one, no?

[Villa'Zawg]

likewise if they bought his contract any "gentlemen agreements" aren't allowed so villa would be very stupid to admit to one, no?

Why would Villa ever enter into such an agreement?

[Greg N'Ash]

they were quite common once. you sold someone a player and they came down with something or weren't selected. but at the end of the day the club have come out and stated he can't play. If Villa did that on a handshake after stoke took over his contract then we're in deep crap and we certainly wouldn't argue with stoke if they chose to break it. Unless idiots are running the club.

[The Left Side]

If he doesn't score for Stoke tomorrow, he will in the rocket tomorrow night. It sounds like he won't play but if he does he'll have a storming game I bet.

[eamonn]

I'd be surprised if Stoke took over his contract 100%. Carew is/was on a fair wedge at Villa, I presumed we were subsidising some of it while he was at Stoke and come the end of the season we would release him.

[olaftab]

Hands up anyone who would be surprised if Carew goes down with a mystery ailment overnight?

That is likely if one of the girls at the Rocket has a stage name Mystery Ailment!

[Mac]

It's a sign as to how far Randy has become part of the furniture that any mix up and there are a whole host of fans immediately ready to expect the worst and blame the board for it.

[Nev]

Pullis is beginning to get on my pip.

I think its the cap.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

This has to be a pre-match wind up I'm sure.
I am not aware of any example where a loan player has been able to line up against his own club.
Mind you, I was hoping we had stipulated in the loan agreement that Ireland must play against us a couple of weeks back but as it turned out we were able to win anyway.

[SashasGrandad]

If we're winning 4-0 I'd love Carew to come on and score just the one.

It would be a nice way to say goodbye after all the happy memories we have of him.

[andyh]

I think its a wind up.
Pulis is just playing mind games before the game.

There is NO WAY that either club does not know what the Carew situation is.

[villa1]

I don't think we would release him now. It is entirely plausible that we did it in January and it only came to light today when questions were asked regarding his eligibility.

Exactly.

[darren woolley]

I was surprised when I read it this morning that we have released him let's hope he does not come back and haunts us I would not want that to happen I still think we can win this game with or without Carew playing.