This post was originally scheduled for Friday, but I had to swap some things around so I apologise if it’s a little out of date. I noticed that quite a few headlines featuring Villa players “hailing” this and that seemed to be flowing through the wires yesterday, so I figured that the press had been given access to some of the players and it might be a good idea to compile a quick list.

Ashley Young is looking forward to getting back to Villa Park after being on the road for a few games, but he insists that they’re not taking Wolves lightly. [Birmingham Mail]

John Carew insists that tiredness won’t cull the end of season run in and I don’t see it myself either.  Nothing lifts the spirits like winning!  [Birmingham Mail]

Stephen Warnock has no regrets with making the move to Villa and goes on to call James Collins a lion. RAWR. [Premier League]

Paul Merson (OK, I’m stretching things a little) has a pretty decent analysis of Villa’s strengths and weaknesses ahead of the Wolves game and I can’t disagree with much, if anything.  He makes a good point about a strong front 6 making a good back 4 look even better… if Man City fans are scratching their heads at Richard Dunne’s form they need look no further than the players in front and either side of him.

Merse also makes a great point about how teams now treat us with the respect of frequently sitting back, even the bigger clubs – think Utd at Wembley – and I think that’s a fantastic counter argument to anyone who can’t see our on-the-field progress because they’re unable, frankly, to appreciate that the other team aren’t letting us play the way we used to.  Why?  Because we’re damned good and they know they can’t afford to, that’s why!  [Sky Sports]

Milner The Match Winner

And finally, just a quicky. We’re used to seeing the world’s greatest players such as Rooney, Ronaldinho, Beckham, et al being used by the big sporting manufacturers to promote their products. Aston Villa aren’t quite the vogue team yet, but just a little sign of recognition on the Nike blog this week:-

Go check out the Nike blog real quick, our James is in some pretty fine company on that page right now.