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)

[Email readers: if the video isn’t displayed, it’s available here]

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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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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Highlights: Aston Villa 3 Norwich 2

Two goals for Darren Bent, both set up by Gabby Agbonlahor who also helped himself to a goal and a deserved Man of the Match award. Those goals were bookended by goals from Anthony Pilkington and Steve Morison for Norwich in an entertaining encounter at Villa Park.

Both strikers now have five goals apiece so far this season and should be expecting a call from Fabio Capello ahead of England’s upcoming games against Spain and Sweden.

Aston Villa 3 Norwich 2: Bent scores twice, MotM Gabby two assists and a goal himself

A much improved performance from Villa in a lively game led to a vital three points at home thanks to two goals from Darren Bent, and a goal for the provider of both those goals; man of the match Gabby Agbonlahor. Goals from Anthony Pilkington and Steve Morison bookended the home goals, and set up a nervous final ten minutes.

Norwich opened the scoring, slightly against the run of play at the time, thanks to a superbly hit free kick from

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Aston Villa 2 Wigan 0: Finally, three points at home to the Lactics thanks to Gabby and Bent

Wigan Athletic were finally beaten in the league at Villa Park in a comfortable win for the home side thanks to a goal in either half. The first, a brilliant effort from Gabby Agbonlahor, who then turned provider for the second; setting up an unmissable effort for Darren Bent in front of the Holte End.

If you were to glance at the statistics, you’d be forgiven for assuming that Roberto Martinez might be leaving Birmingham thinking that his side deserved something

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Aston Villa 1 Newcastle 1: Unbeaten, but outplayed and uninspiring

Another game, another draw. That’s four draws and a win now in the Premier League. Gabby Agbonlahor gave cause for optimism when he opened the scoring somewhat against the run of play during the first half, but Leon Best cancelled that out during a second half the visitors largely controlled.

Gabby has now equalled his league goal scoring record from last season, scoring three goals from just five games. Barry Bannan started in place of Emile Heskey and played on the

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Everton 2 Aston Villa 2: Poor performance yields a very welcome point

There’s no getting away from it, that was a poor performance against an Everton side unable (or unwilling) to field a single recognised striker. We might owe a somewhat sheepish nod in the referee’s direction, but Petrov and Gabby somehow managed to cancel out Leon Osman’s opener and Leighton Baines’ second half penalty to grab a hugely valuable point we barely deserved.

Any hope I harboured of Everton being bogged down by their off-field issues were killed off immediately as the

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Goal analysis: Gabby on the left of a 4-2-3-1

This is how today’s lone Villa goal came about at Bloomfield Road:

Blackpool were in possession and launching an attack through the centre of the pitch with Ash and Makoun tracking back, Reo-Coker in a holding position in front of the back four.
Makoun makes a sliding tackle, winning possession back and cleverly plays a sort of “roundhouse” style back heeled pass into Reo-Coker’s path while he was still on the ground.
Reo-Coker plays a first time ball up to Darren Bent who

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Aston Villa vs Manchester Utd Preview featuring the “Walking Wounded Fantasy Team”

Man Utd come to Villa Park on Saturday for the early kick off game. For all the talk of being a point off of 5th place, we’re a full eight points behind Utd and they’re a point worse off than they were after 12 games last season. At that same point, we were just four points behind with 21 to their 25 points.

The league record against Utd at Villa Park makes sobering reading, the 1-1 and 0-0 draws

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