Here’s the news that’s caught my eye in the last couple of days.

Martin O’Neill Rumour

I didn’t plan on touching this as it’s just some silliness from a forum. However, it was repeated by a couple of blogs for reasons best known to the bloggers in question and now the bastion of journalism that is The Daily Mirror are reporting that Martin O’Neill has quit. Martin O’Neill is now a trending topic on Twitter in the UK.

I’ll stick my neck out now and call this garbage. BULLSHIT.

And well done to all involved. Awesome work fellas, I hope the page hits are worth it.

Heeeeey… Who’s The Fonz?

Young Nathan Delfouneso likes his nickname, but confessed that he had never heard of Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli. Luckily his parents were able to fill him in.

Nathan Delfouneso
I haven’t got a clue where ‘The Fonz’ nickname came from, it just popped up out of no where. I’ve had a few nicknames to be fair – The Fonz and Del Boy stand out, but I don’t mind.

I’ve never watched Happy Days before but I do now know who The Fonz is, my mum and dad have told me about him.

Probably one of the more interesting points in the Mercury article is the deliberate policy of keeping Nathan, Ciaran Clark and Marc Albrighton at Villa Park while some of the other promising youngsters, such as Eric Lichaj, have been farmed out on loan.

Speaking Of Loans

Eric Lichaj has joined Leyton Orient on an initial month’s loan with a view to staying at the club for the rest of the season. [Sporting Life] He played in Orient’s 1-0 loss away to Brentford. [Leyton Orient OS]

Brad Guzan was heartbroken by not being selected to play in the Carling Cup final against Man Utd and has expressed his desire to play more regularly, even if that means going out on loan next season.

Brad Guzan
After you help your team get to a final, especially a competition like the League Cup, it was devastating not to play. You always want to be part of the big games and help your team be successful, so to not be involved and then lose was a rough day for everyone.

I have not necessarily thought about leaving Villa, but I have thought about playing more regularly. I know that I need to start playing. If, at the end of the season, when I sit down with the manager, the plans make sense for me to go out on loan then that is a possibility I will be open to.

John Carew

Carew’s contract talks are being reported as being on hold until the end of the season. [ESPN] Not exactly new news though, his agent said some time ago that they would naturally be sitting down with Martin O’Neill in the summer as Carew will have 12 months left on his contract at that point. [Aston Villa Central] This is perfectly normal and entirely planned.

However, something that may well influence proceedings later in the year is a story that the back injury that kept him out of the side for 3 months last year may have flared up during the Chelsea match.  Apparently we’re waiting on confirmation, but Carew has described the pain feeling like “two knives in his back”.  The big man is currently undergoing tests to determine the extent of the injury. [Dagbladet]