Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
O’Neill’s joy as Marlon signs
Tuesday 17th July 2007, 3:15PM BST.
Marlon Harewood today completed a deal to become Villa’s second summer signing – but their chances of landing Shaun Wright-Phillips have been hit by interest from Tottenham.
Villa confirmed this afternoon that Harewood had signed a three-year contract in a deal worth “close to £4m”.
Harewood had been due to sign for Wigan yesterday after passing a medical there on Friday.
But he asked for the weekend to think over the deal and O’Neill made his move on Sunday afternoon with Jermain Defoe preferring to remain at Spurs and Middlesbrough wanting £13m-£14m for Yakubu.
O’Neill said: “I’m delighted that he’s accepted the invitation to come and join us.
“I know there were other teams wanting to take him, but he’s prepared to come here and challenge to try and work his way into the first team.
“I’m delighted to have him. He’s a strong lad, very athletic and if he can recapture the form he showed in the two seasons before last, he will definitely be a big asset.”
Now O’Neill wants to reunite Harewood with his fellow former Nottingham Forest Academy graduate Wright-Phillips, who is currently on tour with Chelsea in the United States.
But his hopes have been hit by Spurs, who are reported to be in “advanced negotiations” to sign the England international.
Sources say Wright-Phillips would prefer to stay in London.
Sponsored Links
Business Awards
Read the full story here
Full coverage of awards celebrating the region's best businesses.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
LIVE traffic updates
Road, rail and airport - latest
Our new, live traffic and travel updates service - check before you set out.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
what a waste of money rush signings now cant wait to see who we buy next we may aswell call ourselves west ham celtic
Report abuse
Bless u marlon and good luck. If he stay on his feet for a few moments he might prove to be an asset to Villa. He had his good times at West Ham and was somtimes cruelly compared to a circus clown without the make-up!! Fitting that his two finest moments as a Hammer were against Villa when he scored a hattrick and ay Villa park when he scored the winnerin the semis!!!
Report abuse
In the interest of AVFC and we fans, I sincerely hope he proves me wrong but I very much doubt it, I think MON has just dropped his first big B*****K
Report abuse
Wolves were rumoured to be in for Harewood when he was at Forest
He is big, strong and can score but seems to go missing in games
Our happy hammers friends have also said that he did well there but with the new found investment and Curbishley lost his way in their pecking order
Villa fans shouldnt write this lad off – as Mr O’Neill gets the best out of players who try and listen – just look at how well Heskey did under O’Neill’s management
Report abuse
daz m i can understand where your comin from,but what i would say is mon dont do rush and i think he will have thought this through.i remember crouch and villa fans not happy with him ,but i think hes proved us wrong lets see first before we start gettin upset.my view for what its worth is that mon sees our attack other than carew as being to nice /lightweight and harewood has a greater physical presence .definately he isnt going to be first choice listen to what mon is saying as in squad,and is prepared to fight for his place,carew will first choice no doubt of that,so lets just hold fire .i agree tho lets see whos next .
Report abuse
Just cause he messed up at west ham last season dont mean he gonna be a waste of money, he WILL prove vaulble, and be a great asset to the club.
Report abuse
I feel for Villa fans all new hope when learner took over and o,neill arrived – but Marlon Harewood for gods sake and although i agree Reo Coker could be a good deal i cannot see villa competing with the big boys between Spurs,Liverpool and Man utd they have spent over £100m along with Arsenal and the strength in depth of Chelsea i cannot see anyone else getting anywhere near them
Report abuse
Martin Oneil typical leicester signings we will get now. All huff and puff. Does he realise he has all this money to buy top players???? It looks like we will get no class in. Where has the rumours of forlan gone… lots of quality abroad but not even a sniff. It seems like he had only a few of possibilities for players and hasnt looked at the bigger picture. Mid Table for me next season nothing better !!
Report abuse
Welcome home Big Fella!
Report abuse
Mr O’Niell is the first manager for a long time i trust with money at the Villa. so lets just sit back and see. Need at least 2 more defenders thou….
Report abuse
I dont know why people like Nick bother, they moan when we dont spend, they moan when we do and then have the gaul to call themselves supporters. Having pots of money to buy players is one thing, convincing them to come to Villa is another, Villa Park has not been a popular place with world class players (except for the odd one or two) for many years as far back as the 50s that trend is now changing with Mr Lerner and his staff and MON, I’m wasting my time of course, Nick sounds like your typical whinger, he wont be happy whoever we buy.
Report abuse
Lets give harewood a chance a goal record of 1 every 3 games.Got to be better value than chopra 5m and nugent 6m.
Report abuse