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Getting Better!
Aston Villa have a sterling January, and haven't lose a game. It seems things have finally clicked, and with the absence of the Europa League midweek games, this seems to have benefited the team. We have moved upto 14th, and have increased our gap on the relegation zone to 6 points. Villa have also progressed forward in what seems to be our favourite competition, the FA Cup.
Aston Villa 2-0 Rotherham (FA Cup 3rd Round)
Javier Hernandez x2
We played a full strength side here to avoid the upset and we won comfortably. Hernandez's first goal was a neat finish from a very well weighted Helenius through ball. Hernandez's and Villa's 2nd came through the same combination again, as Helenius ran through and goal, before giving it back to Hernandez who scored the tap in. It's good to see the defence looking sturdy, and a partnership working so well upfront.
Aston Villa 1-1 Stoke City
Danny Ings
Gaston Ramirez
The full house of results against Stoke is completed, as this result means we've now won, lost and drew against them this season. Danny Ings sent stoke into the break ahead, before Bellusci lost his head and got sent off only 10 minutes into the first half. Luckily, the ten men pushed forward and equalised in the 76th minute as Hernandez threaded a ball through to the galloping Ramirez as he slotted home infront of the famous Holte End. A decent result in the circumstances, but I think we should be winning these games.
Nottingham Forest 0-1 Aston Villa
Javier Hernandez
We travel the troubled ground of Forest as they looked to be doomed to relegation. I feel for Forest, but what can you do when players are so stupid. I sent a little message down to Zola, that I would Demichelis to crunch Vargas if he gets the opportunity, I imagine this has been happening a lot. The pressure of playing such a poor squad definitely got to us, but took an early lead in the 7th minute as Goretzka slotted a beauty of pass to Hernandez who put it top corner first time. Lovely. We had 17 shots, but couldn't capitalise on this.
Reading 0-1 Aston Villa
Darren Bent
Another 1-0 win as veteran Darren Bent scores a rare goal. He netted in the 37th minute as Westwood played a direct pass that fell to Bent who slotted nicely past the keeper.
Huddersfield 1-3 Aston Villa (FA Cup 4th Round)
James Vaughan
Alexandre Lacazette x2
Javier Hernandez
A good result here as a flurry of goals saw us 2-1 up inside 10 minutes. A man who I rate highly, Lacazette played really well here, and i'd personally like to see him play more matches in the league alongside danger-man Hernandez. We travel to the Etihad in the next round, which im sure will be a tough trip.
Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham
Andy Carroll
Nicklas Helenius
We return to premier league action against the Hammers as the points are shared. We did go 1-0 down but again battled back to equalise. Our goal came as a beautifully whipped in cross by Luna found an umarked Helenius who couldn't miss. We should've pushed on for the win though, mind.
Chairmans Thoughts
A very good month, and it was pleasing to go unbeaten. I'm very pleased with the form of Hernandez who has now scored 18 goals in 30 games in all competitions. I'm also delighted to announce that we have some early January Transfer movements.
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I am pleased to announce that we have signed Charlie Austin from Norwich for 7.5 million. We will pay Norwich another million if he scores 10 goals in all competitions this season. I am so pleased with this transfer. Im an admirer of Austin, and I cant wait to see how he plays for the Villa. Him and Hernandez have the potential to be the best strike partnership in the league. He already has 10 goals in 20 games this season, and with the service of players such as Ramirez and Goretzka behind him, I'm sure this tally will rise. I have a great relationship with new Norwich chairman, and he was a pleasure to work with again.
In regards to leaving the club, there have been no formal bids for any Aston Villa players yet, apart from an enquiry for an ex player Ron Vlaar which made me chuckle. We have though, decided to terminate the contracts of Darren Bent, Philippe Senderos, and Joe Bennett, who were all just using excess wage. I would like to remind all chairmen to check their emails for my transfer list this window.
There are still a few deals to be done at Aston Villa, so potentially expect a big transfer announcement before the window slams shut.