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We have a number of players with contracts expiring this summer and uncertain futures, but the one with the biggest question mark over his head was Nigel Reo-Coker. That question mark remains no longer, the club have just announced that he has been released along with nine other players.
I know Reo-Coker wasn’t in everyone’s list of favourite players, but he’s always given 100% and frequently was the only one providing anything close to the grit we needed in the centre of the park. It’s no secret that I am among his fans and was hoping that the contract issues would be resolved and we’d see him again next season.
Sadly not and I can’t pretend not to be disappointed, but that’s just the way things go. All the best for future Nigel, I hope it works out for you wherever you end up.
There were no question marks attached to John Carew‘s Aston Villa career, we all knew his contract would not be renewed and he’d leave the club. It’s a pity things turned a bit sour in his final season, but he’s given us a lot of fantastic memories, scored some important goals and he’ll always remain among my list of favourites.
I believe Carew is keen to stay at Stoke, but all the best to the big man wherever he ends up too.
It would be remiss of me not to mention that Moustapha Salifou has also left the club, we all wanted him to be a special player, but he could never quite make the breakthrough. And he’ll be joined Isaiah Osbourne and, of course, Robert Pires.
Harry Forrester we already knew about, but Arsenio Halfhuid who has been on loan in the Dutch 2nd Division will also leave, as will academy graduates Durrell Berry, Ellis Deeney and Calum Flanagan.
Best of luck to all ten for the future.
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8 Comments to “Nigel Reo-Coker and John Carew released by Aston Villa”
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I am really sad to see Reo-Coker go. His workrate was second to none and I loved the steel and grit he gave the side.
I actually wanted to have him on the back of the new shirt when it was going to be released, but that would be rather stupid now.
Good luck to Nigel tho, I think he will be a success whereever he may go. I think he would fit well into the spanish league, as he brings something completly different to the stereotypic spanish midfielder, just like Christian Poulsen did when he played for Sevilla. I also hope he will go to a club that will respect him, like Aston Villa (read: MoN) not always did.
funny you mention spain, i’ve always thought he was quite a similar player to marcos senna at villarreal. he’s not getting any younger…
why did salifou have to be realesed he was aplayer of a great work ethic and he was bulletproof. I just hope he finds a half decent club soon.
Best of luck Nige, you were never given a proper chance!
I didn’t understand those that hated on Nigel so much. Is it because he does the “thankless” job on the pitch of harrassing the opposition and being all over the midfield instead of scoring goals???
Either way, I’ve enjoyed his stay at the Villa and wish him well.
But I wonder if Nigel is shown the door, perhaps it means a possible return for Bradley?? I think Bradley possesses some of the same attributes as Nigel (work ethic with perhaps a bit better eye for offense than Nigel). Given the roller coster season we had, I don’t think Bradley was given a chance to really show the true player he is; with our spot in the table being so near the bottom, giving other players a good string of runs wasn’t atop the chart of importance.
I would just like to see a player with Bradley’s resume’ be brought aboard to provide the midfield with solid defensive-minded MF.
Petrov — hustles but appears to really be gased lat in games; is showing his age and often appears off the pace.
Makoun — solid player in his appearances, IMO, but does tend to struggle a bit against physical defenders/better teams. But his passing was great and he’ll adapt to the league soon enough.
Delph — budding talent…but is he? Still very unproven.
put it this way; if reo-coker stayed, the chances of bradley staying would have been practically zero. with reo-coker gone, the door’s cracked open a bit. we’ll see.
i still think he’d be a good signing, but he hasn’t been able to show enough to have the fans automatically excited.
Wouldn’t expect the fans to automatically get excited (hard to justify excitement over just 3 apps as a sub), but I believe he’d be great 3rd or 4th option as a CM.
It all depends on the price tag. If we can get Bradley on the cheap then I think he is low-risk. He has already had some time to settle into Villa Park and the staff knows him and his work habits.