Villa captain calls for new manager
Friday 27th August 2010, 10:58AM BST.
Captain Stiliyan Petrov has urged owner Randy Lerner to appoint Villa’s new manager before the transfer window shuts – after slamming their early exit from Europe.
The Villa skipper hinted at the first signs of frustration in the dressing room over the club’s failure to permanently replace Martin O’Neill, who quit two-and-a-half weeks ago.
Reflecting on his team’s failure to qualify for the Europa League group stages after losing 3-2 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate by Rapid Vienna at Villa Park last night, Petrov revealed his hopes the new boss will be in place before Tuesday’s transfer deadline day, to give him a chance to add to a squad described by the midfielder as “very small.”
He said: “We would like to know who is going to take charge, but there will soon be an international break and we will see things more clearly.
“It would be great to know who the manager is. I hope he can be announced before the window closes so he can get some players in.
“You can see every other team is strengthening and I hope we can too.
“We are very small and with the 25-man squad rule it will be even more difficult.”
No appointment is thought to be imminent and caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald is still set to take charge of Sunday’s game against Everton, but defeats to Rapid and Newcastle and with his reluctance to put his name forward have seen him slip to an outsider.
The Scot admitted it is in the club’s best interests that O’Neill’s successor is named quickly.
He said: “I think the whole club needs to know. ”
As for Villa’s second successive defeat to the Austrians, Petrov, who missed a penalty, admits they had “blown it.”
He said: “”It is unacceptable. We worked very hard last season to get to Europe and we’ve blown it.”
Goalscorer Gabby Agbonlahor was having scans today after being forced off just 40 minutes in, making him doubtful for Sunday’s Everton clash.
MacDonald added: “Gabby’s calfs were very tight. We felt it best to take him off.”
UK Sport
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get rid of heskey!!!!!!!! seriously… open goal mate
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Fair enough Stan!
In my opinion, we need a new captain!
A captain who deserves to be in the team on merit, not sentiment!
There, we’ve both got things off our chests now!!!!!
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Captain Petrov,
I see you are targeting your stand in Head Coach for your sides inept performance. Heskey
was diving all over the place all night and
the guy you gave ALBION £10m for was useless.
Where was your guidance out there. You’re barking up the wrong tree. JtH.
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