Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish denies claims Stiliyan Petrov will be sold
Monday 12th December 2011, 11:00AM GMT.
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has dismissed speculation that the club are actively looking to sell captain Stiliyan Petrov when the transfer window opens.
A national newspaper claimed at the weekend that the Bulgaria midfielder was someone McLeish was looking to ship out in order to further ease the club’s wage bill.
Petrov found the net with a long-range strike – albeit via a deflection off Gary Cahill – as Villa claimed a 2-1 victory over Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.
And McLeish, who is keen to bring in another central midfielder in January, insisted that Villa are not under any pressure to sell Petrov.
The Villa boss said: “I saw that report but we’ve never said anything. I can only assume it’s come from an agent. We’ve never said that and I’ve never said to Stiliyan that we will try to get you out in January.
“Sometimes some things happen and fall in your lap, like when Kenny Miller left Hibernian.
“The board were trying to get more money from Rangers and they went to a certain figure and I said they had to push the button now, because that might help get two or three players in to bolster the squad.
“On occasions you have to make a sacrifice but we have no intentions of letting Stan go in January unless someone comes in with a bid we can’t refuse.
“But I’m sure that’s not going to happen. I said when I came in that the only experienced midfielder we have is Stan Petrov.
“Stan came back strong against Bolton after a wee rest with a good performance. When I thought Stan was getting tired he came with a burst in the last five minutes again.
“So he’s still got a bit of staying power.”
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Thank god for that.
I’d be OK with us selling any of the big earners – Dunne, Collins, Cuellar, Beye, Makoun (still on the wage bill) Ireland, Heskey…even Bent if someone made a good enough offer and the money was reinvested in the squad – but I think losing Petrov in January would be suicide.
The only way we can find a balance at the moment is with Stan in the side. He’ll probably leave in the summer or be phased out of the team over next season, but for now he is crucial.
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With MON now at Sunderland and all this talk about him leaving, it wouldn’t be surprising if his head was turned.
If only the rest of the squad had as much determination as Stan, we would stand a chance. Even with McLeish
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