08/07/2014
Having started his playing career with Grimsby Town, before moving on to Sheffield Wednesday, Liverpool (where Sean Dundee was compared to him favourably) and finally Eintracht Frankfurt, Andy Morris has now taken his first steps into football management.
Following last season's poor showing in the league, Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has seen fit to part ways with Paul Lambert is quoted as saying, "I don't have first hand experience of a wet weekend in Skegness but it must be better than an hour in Paul's company". Everyone is bemused as to way the penny pinching American has appointed an inexperienced manager as he looks to improve the club's league standing in an effort to off load it.
In a press conference to announce the new manager's appointment, Mr Lerner stated, "It's true that I am trying to sell the club but I think Andy is definitely the right man for the job in this moment in time."
Along with Morris, Villa have also announced that John Pemberton, formerly of Bristol City, has been added to the staff as Morris' number two and, in a move that has raised more then a few eyebrows, Alan Curbishly has been appointed the club's new Director of Football.
When asked how he felt about working with a Director of Football and what it would mean to transfers, Morris said, "Well, I don't know what it's like to work without one but Crubs paid £6m to Newcastle for Kieron Dyer so he can't be that bad in the transfer market".
06/08/2014
Aston Villa have announced the free signing of Portuguese winger Simao. The former Atletico Madrid man said "When I heard that a team that played in red and blue wanted to sign me, I thought I was going back to Barca. Of course I'm disappointed but at least I'm not at Crystal Palace." At 34, it remains to be seen what impact Simao will be able to have in a Villa side expected to blend into mid-table obscurity.
17/08/2014
Aston Villa kick off their season with a home Midlands derby against West Brom. With Saido Berahino in the West Brom starting XI and Christian Benteke still missing for Villa, it was also expected that this game would be close to call.
4 mins: Captain Ron Vlaar scored the opener after just four minutes with a tap in following some slopping defending from a Villa corner.
6 mins: Their lead didn't last long as Chris Brunt capitalised on Okore's sliced clearance with a neat header.
31 mins: Villa restored their leader after Agbonlahore picked up a loose ball after McAuley dispossed Andi Weimann in the area. 2-1 Villa.
42 mins: Kozak pings a tidy ball into the area after spotting Weimann's run. Weimann eases the into the near post, just beyond the keeper. Ben Foster will be disappointed that he let that in. 3-1 Villa
66 mins: Ideye runs the ball down the channel, nutmegs Okore to play the through-ball to Morrison. Morrison shoots from a tight angle and it sheer power of it sends it past Guzan on the near post. Brilliant counter from a Villa freekick but, in truth, terrible defending from Villa which could cost them dearly. 3-2 Villa
76 mins: Dawson brings down Kozak on the edge of the area but the ref has given the pentalty. Foster went the right way but Richardson put too much power in that. That should wrap things up nicely for Andy Morris and his team. 4-2 Villa
90+4 mins: Kieran Richardson goes from hero to villain as he brings down Morrison just outside the area and picks up a yellow for his trouble. Brunt fires in the free kick as good as anyone. 4-3 Villa. Unbelievable, Jeff!
Villa Manager, Andy Morris, "It was a very entertaining match and everything you would expect from a derby, only missing a red card. I'm very pleased to have our first three points on the board"
Having started his playing career with Grimsby Town, before moving on to Sheffield Wednesday, Liverpool (where Sean Dundee was compared to him favourably) and finally Eintracht Frankfurt, Andy Morris has now taken his first steps into football management.
Following last season's poor showing in the league, Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has seen fit to part ways with Paul Lambert is quoted as saying, "I don't have first hand experience of a wet weekend in Skegness but it must be better than an hour in Paul's company". Everyone is bemused as to way the penny pinching American has appointed an inexperienced manager as he looks to improve the club's league standing in an effort to off load it.
In a press conference to announce the new manager's appointment, Mr Lerner stated, "It's true that I am trying to sell the club but I think Andy is definitely the right man for the job in this moment in time."
Along with Morris, Villa have also announced that John Pemberton, formerly of Bristol City, has been added to the staff as Morris' number two and, in a move that has raised more then a few eyebrows, Alan Curbishly has been appointed the club's new Director of Football.
When asked how he felt about working with a Director of Football and what it would mean to transfers, Morris said, "Well, I don't know what it's like to work without one but Crubs paid £6m to Newcastle for Kieron Dyer so he can't be that bad in the transfer market".
06/08/2014
Aston Villa have announced the free signing of Portuguese winger Simao. The former Atletico Madrid man said "When I heard that a team that played in red and blue wanted to sign me, I thought I was going back to Barca. Of course I'm disappointed but at least I'm not at Crystal Palace." At 34, it remains to be seen what impact Simao will be able to have in a Villa side expected to blend into mid-table obscurity.
17/08/2014
Aston Villa kick off their season with a home Midlands derby against West Brom. With Saido Berahino in the West Brom starting XI and Christian Benteke still missing for Villa, it was also expected that this game would be close to call.
4 mins: Captain Ron Vlaar scored the opener after just four minutes with a tap in following some slopping defending from a Villa corner.
6 mins: Their lead didn't last long as Chris Brunt capitalised on Okore's sliced clearance with a neat header.
31 mins: Villa restored their leader after Agbonlahore picked up a loose ball after McAuley dispossed Andi Weimann in the area. 2-1 Villa.
42 mins: Kozak pings a tidy ball into the area after spotting Weimann's run. Weimann eases the into the near post, just beyond the keeper. Ben Foster will be disappointed that he let that in. 3-1 Villa
66 mins: Ideye runs the ball down the channel, nutmegs Okore to play the through-ball to Morrison. Morrison shoots from a tight angle and it sheer power of it sends it past Guzan on the near post. Brilliant counter from a Villa freekick but, in truth, terrible defending from Villa which could cost them dearly. 3-2 Villa
76 mins: Dawson brings down Kozak on the edge of the area but the ref has given the pentalty. Foster went the right way but Richardson put too much power in that. That should wrap things up nicely for Andy Morris and his team. 4-2 Villa
90+4 mins: Kieran Richardson goes from hero to villain as he brings down Morrison just outside the area and picks up a yellow for his trouble. Brunt fires in the free kick as good as anyone. 4-3 Villa. Unbelievable, Jeff!
Villa Manager, Andy Morris, "It was a very entertaining match and everything you would expect from a derby, only missing a red card. I'm very pleased to have our first three points on the board"