Aston Villa launches bid for Belhanda

Montpellier president Louis Nicollin says Aston Villa are one of five clubs to have made a bid for creative midfielder Younes Belhanda.



The highly-rated Moroccan international has admitted he would like to move to England, and had been strongly linked with Arsenal and Tottenham in the past.



But Nicollin has now revealed that Villa are currently the only bidders from the English top flight for Belhanda, who is set to leave the Ligue 1 outfit a year after helping them lift the title. "He is leaving," Nicollin told LeSport10.



"There are four or five clubs that have come in. It is now down to the player to choose now because we are almost in agreement with the clubs. He will leave for 14-15 million euros." Asked if the offers were concrete, he replied: "Yes.



From AC Milan, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Galatasaray and Aston Villa. "We have no problem now, he [Belhanda] has the authority to agree with whoever he wants now.



"Villa already have Belhanda's Moroccan international teammate Karim Al Ahmadi on their books and Paul Lambert is looking to add a creative spark to his side to play behind the striker.

Benteke warns Villa

Christian Benteke insists he will leave Aston Villa if one of the Premier League's top clubs wants to sign him.

Benteke was one of the stars of the Premier League season, scoring 19 goals to help keep Villa in the top flight.

The Belgium international, 22, has been linked with a move to Arsenal, amongst others, and although he is under contract at Villa Park he says he "won't necessarily accept" it if they say cannot leave.

Quoted by the Sun, Benteke said:

"If Aston Villa say I must stay, I won't necessarily accept that. I do not in any way want to feel I didn't get the most out of my career. I try to get everything.

"Of course playing the World Cup in Rio is in my head. But I have no fear of falling out of the team. There is no point in me getting into a tug-of-war with Villa.

"If the chance comes up for me to join a club like Arsenal, I'm convinced we can reach a compromise where everyone comes out a winner."

Paul Lambert: Fans are pushing Aston Villa towards survival

Paul Lambert says the special relationship between Aston Villa's players and supporters is helping his side to safety.



The manager was struck by the "extraordinary" backing from Villa's crowd during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Fulham - a result which took them three points clear of third-bottom Wigan.



And Lambert reckons the fans will deserve a share of the credit if another season of Premier League football is secured in the remaining five games.



He told the club website: "That we have remained so vibrant and assertive into the second half of the season - and now into the latter stages - is in no small measure down to the fans.



"You can always judge a game and a performance by the reactions and involvement of the crowd and the synergy between fans and the team has become a defining feature of this season.



"There's a bond there which has only grown closer and intimate over the course of a campaign in which there is still important business to do and achieve before we can look too far forward into the future.



"There is a long way to go for all of us and the focus has to remain on the next game.



"We want to keep building on the foundations we've now laid down. Everything is in our own hands and we've enhanced our position over recent weeks. The fans have been fantastic, right behind us the whole way.



"The support against Fulham was extraordinary. They have been right behind us from day one. There have had some down times over the Christmas period but they kept with it, which was fantastic for us.



"We're playing well and the mindset and mood at the club is really positive. The point against Fulham keeps the momentum there. It keeps us going."

Lambert: Star duo stay at Aston Villa

Paul Lambert insists in-form Aston Villa strike duo Christian Benteke and Andreas Weimann will remain with the club next season.

Lambert knows keeping hold of the pair and other key players is vital as part of his long-term project to rebuild Villa - and he has the backing of club owner Randy Lerner.



It will be a reversal of Villa's trend in recent seasons of selling leading performers such as Gareth Barry, James Milner, Stewart Downing and Ashley Young.



Benteke has scored 17 goals since his £8million move last summer from Genk and the Belgium international has been linked with a host of clubs.



Weimann has netted 11 goals in his first full campaign of top-flight football and has been offered a new deal by Villa.



Lambert said: "Do I think Weimann and Benteke will be at Villa next season? Yes, yes. I think they want to be here. I've spoken to the lads as well and they've been great with it.



"There is no point in trying to build something if it (players) keep on going away.



"There is no point in coming in for one year and, after that, the lads go away again. I don't think that is building for any sort of future.



"Do I have the final say on it? Oh yes. I've got to - but Randy (Lerner) has been great with me.



"Everyone knows the situation. If players do well, then teams speak about them. Everyone knows the situation. Whether it is true or not or agents fabricate things remains to be seen.



"When I first came in here, we sat down and explained what I thought. Randy was right behind it, no problem at all.



"He has been excellent with us. There is no point in building something, if a year later it (a player) goes. I don't want to go back to square one."



Weimann has only 15 months remaining of his current contract.



Lambert said: "I spoke to Andy's agent a couple of months back.



"I know what is happening and Andy knows what is happening.



"His agent knows what is going on. There is no problem at the minute. Am I confident Andy will sign? Yes."



Lambert hinted Benteke may also be offered a new deal this summer after his successful debut season.



He said: "I might give him a fiver more. Being Scottish, that is generous!



"I think you do that (reward players) with most lads who are performing well for you.



"You just don't want people to become comfortable or lose that hunger. I don't want a monetary thing to over-rule success."

Agbonlahor secures Villa win

Aston Villa climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone thanks to a 2-1 victory against fellow strugglers Reading at the Madejski Stadium.



They had to come from behind to secure the points though after they gifted the Berkshire side the lead after 32 minutes with a calamitous own goal from Nathan Baker as he sliced in Jobi McAnuff's cross.

But, just a minute later, Christian Benteke levelled from close range before Gabby Agbonlahor scored the winning goal on the stroke of half-time with a rasping left-foot drive.

During the week Reading boss Brian McDermott called for his side to make a fast start and they threatened twice inside the first five minutes. Adam Le Fondre forced Brad Guzan to claw a header away after he peeled off his marker at the back post before delivering a cross that an unmarked Hal Robson-Kanu mis-controlled.

Villa full-back Matt Lowton was shown a yellow card for a late challenge on McAnuff, but for all Reading's early promise they almost fell behind on 12 minutes when Benteke rattled the crossbar with a header.

Reading's opener on 32 minutes will be consigned to the blooper reel as Baker was left red-faced by his bumbling generosity. There appeared little danger, despite Hope Akpan helping McAnuff's low cross on, but defending close to his line Baker horribly rushed his clearance. It meant he completely missed the ball and watched on as it bounced off his standing leg and over the line.

Reading's lead lasted barely two minutes though as they showed why they have conceded more goals than any other club in the top flight this term.

The industrious Andreas Weimann was given acres of space down the right but instead of marking Benteke the home defenders rushed to the goal-line. The Belgian astutely sat back for the pass and lashed in a shot that took a deflection off Stephen Kelly to ensure Stuart Taylor was beaten.

It got worse for the Royals, however, as they conceded in first-half injury time for the second successive game at home.

Again the goal looked preventable as first Kelly failed to properly clear following a patient build-up by Villa. Lowton headed the ball across the six-yard box and while Barry Bannan's deft touch rebounded off the post Taylor could only help the loose ball to Agbonlahor to thump home.

Reading thought they were level 10 minutes after the re-start only for a marginal offside call to go against them. Noel Hunt poked home at close range but if he was not offside Le Fondre, who was just in front of him, appeared to have just strayed.

Reading kept pushing, with six of their past seven league goals having come after the 84th minute, but there was no late rally on this occasion as Robson-Kanu wasted the best of their late chances.



Victory was just Villa's second in their past 12 league games and moved them three points clear of danger. Reading's defeat - their second in succession at home against a relegation rival after they lost 3-0 to Wigan a fortnight ago - left them above last-placed QPR on goals scored only.

Reo-Coker joins Ipswich

Former Aston Villa and West Ham captain Nigel Reo-Coker has signed for npower Championship strugglers Ipswich.



The 28-year-old midfielder, a free agent after leaving Bolton in the summer, has agreed a short-term contract until January.



"Ipswich is a sleeping giant in the Championship," Reo-Coker told the club's official website.



"It's a massive club with a great history and tradition. The facilities are first class and there is a terrific fan base. It's the right club at the right time for me and everything has just fallen into place.



"I had a good conversation with the manager (Paul Jewell). He's highly respected in the game for what he has achieved and I know what he's trying to do at the club.



"Ipswich may be at the wrong end of the table at the moment but it's still early in the season and I'm sure with the manager and players the club have, it's only a matter of time before things turn around."



Ipswich are currently second from bottom in the Championship with seven points from 10 games. Reo-Coker could make his debut at Hull next Saturday.

Agbonlahor wants front line role

Gabriel Agbonlahor hopes Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert plays him in his preferred central striking role after the frustration of being used in several different positions last season.



Agbonlahor has recovered from the knee injury which forced him to miss the start of the campaign and appeared as a substitute in the 1-1 draw at Newcastle before the international break. He was used as a wide midfielder and also off the main striker by Alex McLeish during the Scot's ill-fated season in charge at Villa.



Agbonlahor said: "Last season I was being used more left midfield or off the striker and it was a different sort of formation. Hopefully I can get a certain amount of games in my preferred position."



He added: "When we beat Chelsea away, I was playing in a front role - but then for the next game, at home to Swansea, I was played right midfield.



"If you don't get a run of games (in the same position) it can sort of mess your head up."



Agbonlahor concedes he will face a battle for his place, with Darren Bent, Andreas Weimann and newcomers Christian Benteke and Jordan Bowery pushing for places up front.



He said: "No-one is guaranteed a starting place and they're going to be coming after my place.



"That was the same when I was younger. I was going for other players' places."

Stiliyan Petrov thanks all fans for support

Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov has spoken for the first time after it was confirmed he is now in remission from leukaemia.



Petrov, 33, was quick to thank Aston Villa club masseurs Alex Butler and Andy Smith for their efforts after they completed a 400-mile Pedal for Petrov cycle ride on Sunday. It was a fundraising effort with former England midfielder Geoff Thomas for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and they aim to raise £250,000.



The cycle ride began at Parkhead, the home of Petrov's former club Celtic, and finished at Villa Park.



"I'm fine but it's been hard and tough so far but, thankfully, everything is going in the right direction," Petrov said. "I've been looked after really well by the people in the hospital and so far everything is going in the right direction. I'm really grateful to them and I'm grateful to all of the people who have sent messages of support to me. I appreciate all of this very much.



"Alex and Andy have put themselves through a lot of work and hardship to try to raise money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. They have worked so hard and they want to cheer me up and they want to show me how much they love me. It is great to see something like that and, of course, it is for a great cause as well.



"I know how hard it has been for them and I have been speaking to them every day. I know the other day they found it really tough with the wind against them.



"But they kept going and I hope that in the end they will achieve what they set out to do by raising £250,000 for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research because the funding is important for all of this research, which is much-needed.



"I've experienced something that a lot of people don't experience and I know how important this research is because it helps with all the drugs which help people need to get better and to get better more quickly. I hope the cause will receive as much money as the boys are able to raise so that the people can go to work on the research.



"I asked them to cycle to Bulgaria but they said it was too far to go - so they decided to cycle from Celtic Park to Villa Park instead. It has been tough for them. Geoff Thomas has done a lot of bike rides and he is fit but Alex and Andy have only had a few months to train and prepare for this. It has been great for them and it's been great for me too. I hope they will feel very satisfied with everything they have done.



"I really appreciate all their efforts. They've been texting me and calling me along the way and that has helped me.



"At the moment I am going through a minor cycle of chemo and it's been great between cycles to see the nice pictures of the lads on their bikes, stopping off at Everton and Newcastle and other places. It's been really good."

Villa sign defender Bennett

Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of defender Joe Bennett from Middlesbrough on a four-year deal.



The England Under-21 international is Paul Lambert's fifth new signing of the summer, following the arrival of Ron Vlaar, Matt Lowton, Karim El Ahmadi and Brett Holman.



"Joe's a really good player, young and hungry to succeed, and he's exactly the type of player we want here at the football club," Lambert said.



"There's no doubt in my mind that he will thrive in this environment and he fits in exactly with what we are trying to build here."



Bennett said: "I am really excited to have joined a massive club in Aston Villa and I'm eager to fight for a starting place and get in the team.



"It's up to the manager to pick the team, of course, but it would be great to go back to the north east this weekend and make my debut against Newcastle at St James' Park."