Joe Cole

[Diablo]

Tim Sherwood is a big admirer of Joe Cole and believes he still has plenty to offer in claret and blue.

An injury-hit 2014-15 campaign to date has restricted Cole's appearances, meaning the Villa faithful are yet to see the best of former Chelsea man since his arrival in June 2014.

Throughout his football career, Cole has built up an enviable CV, listing prestigious honours including three Premier League trophies, three FA Cups and two League Cups.

And, providing club and player establish a healthy balance between training and playing, the manager believes the 33-year-old remains highly influential - on and off the field.

He said: "Joe is not getting any younger but I still think he's got a part to play. He's not broken by any means.

"He's got great experience.

"I like players who can affect the game and Joe, when he is on the pitch, does that.

"He can score and assist.

"I don't like players who are just out on the pitch - I like them to affect football matches.

"You just have to make sure you nurture him to get the right balance between training and playing because the most important thing is the playing. They need to be at a physical level to deal with the demand.

 "He's good around the place. He's been at every game.

"He's been in the dressing room before the match talking to the players.

"We have a relatively young squad so he's valuable to me."

That's good to hear. It's quite an understanding and ringing endorsement (although I doubt Sherwood could say much else considering where we're currently at regarding Cole's injury and the fact that he currently has no option but to make the best of the players available). At least Sherwood is emphasising the positives in a difficult situation - a change from the Bomb Squad fiasco.

[Villa in Denmark]

is it possible to get fitness back and become top level player ? (For the like of Joe Cole)

Not unless he's friends with Dr. Emmett Brown and Marty McCoy.

[OCD]

is it possible to get fitness back and become top level player ? (For the like of Joe Cole)

Not unless he's friends with Dr. Emmett Brown and Marty McCoy.

Marty McCoy?

[SoccerHQ]

Can't believe he got a 2 year deal.

Hopefully for all concerned he'll take an MLS club offer this summer.

[Damo70]

is it possible to get fitness back and become top level player ? (For the like of Joe Cole)

Not unless he's friends with Dr. Emmett Brown and Marty McCoy.

Marty McCoy?

Marty McFly, Sylvestor McCoy. Easy to get these time travellers mixed up.

[Villa in Denmark]

is it possible to get fitness back and become top level player ? (For the like of Joe Cole)

Not unless he's friends with Dr. Emmett Brown and Marty McCoy.

Marty McCoy?

Barsteward autocorrect.

[JG]

It's a shame that a player of such undoubted talent & ability finds himself totally broken & unable to maintain any sort of fitness, but I don't regret us taking a risk on him & his professionalism & qualities as a man of integrity shine through. I really respect that he came here determined to try and prove himself & wasn't here simply for a pay cheque. It's to be admired & is sadly lacking in modern football. He'll move on this Summer & he'll certainly have my best wishes

[OCD]

You never know, his goal against Burnley could turn out to be vital.

[Diablo]

Does anyone know if he's due back before the end of the season? What his injury status is?

[DrGonzo]

From Sherwood's comments it sounds as if Cole has a constant niggle...so he'll probably come on for 20 minutes as usual and then retire to the physio's couch.

[Diablo]

From Sherwood's comments it sounds as if Cole has a constant niggle...so he'll probably come on for 20 minutes as usual and then retire to the physio's couch.

That doesn't sound promising at all, it sounds like Joe Cole has turned into an intermittent fault (that always stops working/breaks down at the most inappropriate time). I hope he manages to recover.

[PaulWinch again]

I get the impression that Cole is great around the club and a positive influence on Grealish.

[silhillvilla]

No idea why we signed him really, but hey ho this is a Dr Doo Little type season.

[supertom]

I get the impression that Cole is great around the club and a positive influence on Grealish.

This was my main hope when we bought in Cole. My expectations for him on the pitch were zero, but I hoped he could have a positive influence on Grealish.
In all honesty too, Cole hasn't done too badly when he's actually played. Sure he can't run any more but he's showed some experience which has proved useful at times. I thought he did well when he came on against Spurs. The vast Wembley pitch is a bit beyond him now, even in a cameo.
I suspect he's got one more Burnley-esque game in him before the season is out though.

[silhillvilla]

I get the impression that Cole is great around the club and a positive influence on Grealish.

This was my main hope when we bought in Cole. My expectations for him on the pitch were zero, but I hoped he could have a positive influence on Grealish.
In all honesty too, Cole hasn't done too badly when he's actually played. Sure he can't run any more but he's showed some experience which has proved useful at times. I thought he did well when he came on against Spurs. The vast Wembley pitch is a bit beyond him now, even in a cameo.
I suspect he's got one more Burnley-esque game in him before the season is out though.

Probably West Ham at home ??