Video: Darren Bent’s Twitter Q&A, plus McLeish on Gabby’s hammy trouble

Darren Bent recently took part in a Q&A on Twitter whilst on England duty, here’s a glimpse behind the scenes. Perhaps a little on the whimsical side, I was still surprised by his answer when asked who is the fastest player he’s seen on the football pitch. (It’s not Gabby)

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Gabby

In related news, I’m sure you’re already aware, but Gabby was forced to withdraw from the England squad once again with a

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Video: Extended highlights of England U21s 5-0 win over Iceland including Gardner’s goals

You may well have already seen this, but on the off chance you’ve been off the grid, as I have, in the last 24 hours or so, here’s the extended highlights of England’s 5-0 win over Iceland in the 2013 European U21 Championships qualifier in Colchester.

Nathan Delfouneso was in the starting eleven, but left the pitch with the game barely 10 minutes old after pulling up chasing a ball into the box. It didn’t look like anything major so hopefully

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Gary Gardner’s England double sets pulses racing

Gary Gardner stepped onto the Colchester pitch in place of Blackburn’s Jason Lowe in the 62nd minute with England leading 2-0 against Iceland in their Euro 2013 qualifier tonight. Barely more than half an hour later, the referee blew the final whistle and scoreboard read 5-0; Gardner adding two sublime late goals and a lot more to his growing reputation.

His first was an inch perfect free kick from 25 yards out: top corner, keeper stranded. His second, deep into injury

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Video: Aston Villa 4 Rosenborg 1 NextGen Series

In somewhat unfortunate timing (the U19s lost 3-2 just last night in Norway) video of the Young Lions 4-1 win over Rosenborg at Villa Park has just been published. This home win was played on November 2nd.

Graham Burke, who was missing last night through suspension, scored twice. Gary Gardner, who was also missing last night as he’s away with England U21s, and Michael Drennan grabbed a goal apiece.

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Villa’s final game in the group stage

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NextGen Series: Rosenborg U19 3 Aston Villa U19 2

Qualification for the knock-out phases of the NextGen series will have to wait after Villa’s U19s failed to get a result in Norway, losing 3-2 to Rosenborg.

Derrick Williams cancelled out Ole Kristian Selnæs’ 29th minute opener from a Samir Carruthers corner in the 39th minute. Daniel Johnson sent the visitors into the break 2-1 ahead just minutes later with a wicked shot from a tight angle.

Selnæs struck again to tie the game up in the 70th minute with his

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Herd wins the plaudits, and a growing list of minor injuries

Chris Herd’s performances have rightly earned him quite a few headlines in the last couple of weeks. Initially for the wrong reason, but lately for the right ones.

Alex McLeish has said that he’s “a manager’s dream; the best trainer at the club”.

He will train the way he plays on Saturday by giving it absolutely everything. Herdy can improve technically if he keeps practising. There is no doubt in my mind that he has the desire.

Peter Grant has also talked about

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Video: Bent, N’Zogbia, Clark and Gardner battle it out on FIFA 12

The players are Darren Bent, Charles N’Zogbia, Ciaran Clark and Gary Gardner. The fella with the hair and the mic is Lukey Moore from the Football Ramble (no relation to the lazy former Villa striker). The competition is IGN FIFA 12 pro player tournament. The venue is Bodymoor Heath.

The winner is…

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Video: Interview with Gary Gardner away with England U21s

Gary Gardner, Nathan Delfouneso and Nathan Baker were called up for England ahead of two Under-21 European Champions qualifiers; Iceland in Colchester on Thursday and away to Belgium next Monday.

Here’s a two minute interview on the training ground with Gardner, pausing just briefly to allow Delfouneso to take a penalty in the background. Eventually.

[Email subscribers can find the video here]

Enda Stevens nominated for PFAI Young Player of the Year

Shamrock Rovers left back Enda Stevens, who will be joining Aston Villa in January 2012, has been named in the Irish Premier Division Team of the Year and nominated for the Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland (PFAI) Young Player of the Year award.

21 year old Stevens has remained with Rovers whilst they compete in the Europa League. They currently sit bottom of Group A with ties against Rubin Kazan on November 30th and Tottenham on December 15th left to play.

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