Squarefootball's Game of the Season

So the 2012/13 season is almost over. All thats left to play is the Champions League final, Championship play-offs and the Scottish Cup final until we put the past nine months into the archives. But before we look forward to seeing snaps of our top stars relaxing on a sun-drenched beach surrounded b...

READ MORE

Team of the Week - Week Thirty Eight

Arsenal will be playing Champions League football again next season following their narrow final day victory at Newcastle. Gareth Bales phenomenal late strike for Spurs got them the three points they needed against Sunderland, but they always needed Newcastle to do them a favour. Elsewhere on t...

READ MORE

Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa: Can the Villans end up victorious?

This was supposed to be the crucial game in the fight to beat the drop, the game where the loser would be consigned to Championship football. However, Wigan blew their chance of the great escape by losing at home to Swansea City. The Latics have created history this season by becoming the first tea...

READ MORE

Aston Villa: Who has been our player of the season?

When a team looks set to finish one place above the relegation zone you would think picking a player of the year would prove difficult. At Aston Villa that has been exactly the case, but strangely notbecause individual players have performed poorly. The side, as a whole, have taken time to gel but...

READ MORE

Predict the Premier League: Wigan turn the heat on Sunderland

Manchester United have won the league and Wigan Athletic have now joined QPR and Reading in the Championship, but who is going to win Squarefootballs Predict the Premier League title? It has been a busy few weeks in the Barclays Premier League and the only issue that still needs to be decided is wh...

READ MORE

Predict the Premier League: Just six points separate Sunderland and Wigan at the top

Squarefootballs Predict the Premier League title race is going down to the final game and it looks as though it will be Sunderland or Wigans name etched on to the coveted trophy. The Black Cats Tony Ratton is six points clear of his nearest rival, Wigan fan Jimmy Shine. With 30 points up for grabs ...

READ MORE

Outside the Box – Football on TV: Fergie calls time, but Sky ensure we’ll see plenty of him before he goes

So, I’m not sure if you’ve heard but Sir Alex Ferguson announced to the world last week that he intends to quietly walk away from football at the end of the season. In mass hysterical scenes usually only seen when a monarch dies or a Twilight film comes out, the entire country seemed to let o...

READ MORE

A tribute to Aston Villa legend Stiliyan Petrov

Stiliyan Petrov was more than just the captain at Aston Villa – he was the club captain. That meant the entire organisation had ultimate faith in himrepresenting the clubona national and international level, whether they were playing abroad on tour, attending charity events or workin...

READ MORE

Aston Villa v Chelsea: Villa seek revenge for 8-0 drubbing

Rafa Benitez goes into this game knowing a win would all but achieve his remit of securing a place in the Champions League next season for Chelsea. But Aston Villa, buoyed by back-to-back defeats, have their own goals to achieve. If they win today they are mathmatecially safe from relegation. And bo...

READ MORE

Aston Villa: Can they now plan for next season in the Premier League?

What a difference a week makes.The results over the last few days could not have gone much better for Villa, especially when looking at the bigger picture. Of course the two biggest results were their 6-1 demolition of Sunderland, followed by a narrow 2-1 victory at Carrow Road on Saturday.Those ...

READ MORE

Squarefootball's Team of the Week - Week 36

Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs all won 1-0 at the weekend to keep their Champions League hopes alive with the latter two drawing on Wednesday night at the Bridge. Liverpool and Everton played out a goalless draw at Anfield while Newcastle picked up what could be a crucial point at West Ham. Aston Vil...

READ MORE

Outside the Box – Football on TV: Bruce goes through Hull as the Championship season ends in drama

There are not many days in the course of the long football season that the glitzy farce of the Premier League is shuffled into the background like an ugly sister at a wedding. Usually, as the weekend rolls around every pundit, fan and newscaster is eagerly sharing their thoughts on Van Persie...

READ MORE

Norwich City v Aston Villa: Lambert eyes victory on Norwich return

Paul Lambert returns to Carrow Road and his Villa side look in a much better position than they did a week ago after hitting Paolo Di Canios Sunderland for six. However the Canaries will be hoping to send the Scot back to Villa Park with his tail between his legs. Norwich havent managed to keep...

READ MORE

Aston Villa v Sunderland: Will Paolo leave Lambert in the mire?

Aston Villa have the chance to draw level on points with Sunderland and open up a five-point gap on Wigan in the drop zone. Sunderland though could hit 40 points with their third win in as many games and ease their relegation woes. So who will come out on top tonight at Villa Park? The visitors h...

READ MORE

Aston Villa: Will anything other than three points do against Sunderland?

The Premiership relegation battle looks set to go to the wire with five teams still fighting for their lives. Villa, despite sitting just above the drop zone, are perhaps in the most precarious position – particularly due to their horrendous goal difference. The Villans currently have a two...

READ MORE

Bale, Benteke, Hazard, Lukaku, Welbeck, Wilshere - Who will win the PFA Young Player of the Year?

Tottenhams Gareth Bale could clear up at this weekends PFA awards. Not only has the Spurs ace got the chance of winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award but he is also nominated in the Player of the Year category. With Spurs playing Wigan later today, Bale could also find himself in third plac...

READ MORE

Bale, RVP or Suarez: Who should win the PFA Player of the Year award?

Tottenhams Gareth Bale is the bookies favourite to win the PFA Player of the Year award for the second time but could last seasons winner Robin van Perise make it a personal double or could Liverpools bad boy end a terrible week on a high by scooping the accolade? Manchester Uniteds midfield maestr...

READ MORE

Predict the Premier League: QPR, Everton and West Ham top the table

QPR may be going down, Everton may have blown their chance of finishing in the top four but West Ham have guaranteed their place in the top flight next season. And despite the gloomy expressions at Loftus Road and Goodison, John Jaycock and Chris Goodwin have tried their best to raise the spirits by...

READ MORE

Predict the Premier League: Sunderland storming towards the title

Talk about making an impact. Paolo Di Canio led his Sunderland troops to victory at St James Park and then followed it up with another three points in his first home game against Everton. No wonder Sunderland fan Tony Ratton is smiling from ear to ear. Mind you, it could also have something to do wi...

READ MORE

Squarefootball's Team of the Week - Week 33

Arsenal regained third place as Chelsea dropped points at Liverpool and Spurs stunned everyone with their late comeback to beat the champions Manchester City. But the big winners this week were Manchester United who clinched their 20th league title with a convincing 3-0 win over Aston Villa. Elsewh...

READ MORE

Aston Villa: Will Agbonlahor’s fitness make or break Villa’s season?

It seems strange to say it really but Gabby Agbonlahor could have a huge influence on whether Villa play Premier League or Championship football next season. No-one has ever doubted his quality but sometimes he can be soldier without a cause – as in he always tries but doesn’t always produce the...

READ MORE

Outside the Box – Football on TV: The football world turns on Suarez as he bites off more than he can chew

Just when you think the sleaze-ridden, hate-filled, cartoon puppetry ghoul fest that is football can’t plunge any lower, out pop the gnashers of a serial offender to attract the world’s accusing eyes once again. Luis Suarez, the only footballer in Britain who can be involved in controversy wi...

READ MORE

Manchester United v Aston Villa: Can Villa stop United's title party?

The red half of Manchester is gearing up for a party tonight. Sir Alex Ferguson is just one win away from securing Uniteds 20th league title following Man Citys remarkable collapse yesterday at White Hart Lane. Tonight they take on Paul Lamberts Aston Villa, but can the Villans put Uniteds title cel...

READ MORE

Would you sell your ground's name for £100m?

Arsenal did it with the Emirates, Manchester City did it with the Etihad and Bolton Wanderers did the same with Reebok, but would you be happy to sell the naming rights to your stadium if it guaranteed a multi-million pound investment on the pitch? Manchester United recently agreed a £120 million d...

READ MORE

Premier League: Has Aston Villa's Brad Guzan been the best keeper this season?

Readings Alex McCarthy was in the form of his life against Liverpool at the weekend. The Royals shot-stopper denied the Reds at every opportunity with a string of world class saves. This got me thinking, who has been the best goalkeeper this season in the Premier League? Manchester Citys Joe Hart w...

READ MORE

Squarefootball's Team of the Week - Week 32

Another exciting week of Premier League and FA Cup football saw Manchester City and Wigan make a date at Wembly, Reading hold Liverpool, Arsenal beat Norwich City and Sunderland outclass Newcastle. But who made it into our Squarefootball Team of the Week? Heres Mitch Waddons best XI from the w...

READ MORE

Outside the Box – Football on TV: Millwall, Chiles and Aguero ensure unedifying scenes all round, but let’s keep the One Direction boys out of it

It was a weekend of football in which the seamier, more ugly side of the game sprang forth. A dispiriting reminder of a time we’d hoped had passed; a nightmarish collage of unedifying horror and depressing folly. Yep, Adrian Chiles was fronting the FA Cup again. Obviously, the game on Saturd...

READ MORE

Aston Villa v Fulham: Can the Villa move three points closer to safety?

Matthew Lowtons screamer against Stoke City last weekend helped the Villans towards three crucial points in their fight for survial, but can they back up that victory with another three points against Fulham this afternoon? The Cottagers havent won at Villa Park in the league for 40 years, and are ...

READ MORE

Predict the Premier League: QPR, Spurs and Arsenal lead the way

Its been a good fortnight for the three London clubs - well off the pitch any way - with QPRs John Jaycock and Tottenhams Adam Crawford picking up 19 points, with Arsenals Josh Ben Moshe on 18. Its not been so good for Stoke City, Southampton or Norwich City, with the sides occupying the bottom thr...

READ MORE

Predict the Premier League: Sunderland edge ahead of Wigan

Sunderland may only have six games left to save their Premier League status but Black Cat Tony Ratton is edging slightly closer to Predict the Premier League title glory. Mr Ratton, who has been favourite for the title for the majority of the season, has moved one point clear of his nearest rival W...

READ MORE

Aston Villa: Was Lowton's screamer the best Villa goal ever?

Following Matthew Lowton’s screamer against Stoke over the weekend it seems a good time to reminisce over some of the Villa’s greatest strikes in recent memory. We’re looking at goals since the 1990s, simply because, although there have been plenty of wonder goals since Villa’s formation in 187...

READ MORE

Outside the Box – Football on TV: Di Canio attempts to form his first impression while West Ham’s Brady dispels hers

Fascist, egotistical, divisive, authoritarian, plain bonkers; these words are ringing around all our ears right now thanks to a recent media storm it’s been impossible to escape from. No, not the death of a former Prime Minister yesterday, although I can see why you’d think that. Instead it i...

READ MORE

Stoke City v Aston Villa: Can the Villans drag Stoke into the relegation dogfight?

Aston Villa slipped back into the bottom three last weekend. Wigans late win against Norwich alongside Villas inability to beat Liverpool at home saw the two relegation battlers swap places down at the bottom. This afternoon Paul Lamberts men head to the Britannia Stadium. The home of the Potters u...

READ MORE

Premier League: Where has all the excitement gone?

ThePremier Leagueseason should be coming to the boil, but for me its been strictly alukewarm affair.The last nine months have had an air of inevitability about them. Manchester United havebreezed to their 20th top flight title and even Sky have struggled to sell this title race. From them...

READ MORE

Aston Villa: Will 39 points keep us up?

How many points will be enough to keep Aston Villa in the Premier League? How long is a piece of string comes to mind at first. It’s so close down at the bottom at least seven teams could be relegated come May. The biggest issue Villa have at the moment is their fate is not in their hands. Th...

READ MORE

Squarefootball's Team of the Week - Week 31

Arsenal, Everton, Liverpool, Man City, Man United, Southampton, Wigan and West Ham all picked up three points in a weekend that produced a whopping 23 goals - five of which came at the Emirates. There was a number of outstanding individual performances at the weekend, but who has done enough to win...

READ MORE

Outside the Box – Football on TV: Sunderland swap experience for explosive as all eyes focus on Wearside

On the day the new bombastic series of Doctor Who crash landed on to the screens of the BBC, there was the cataclysmic beginnings of a regeneration of a different kind in the otherworldly realms of the North East. That’s right, Martin O’Neill, football’s very own wide-eyed madcap enigma was u...

READ MORE

Aston Villa v Liverpool: Villa target rare Liverpool double

Wigans late win over Norwich City yesterday has put Aston Villa back into the drop zone once again. Kones 81st minute strike lifted the Latics above Villa on goal difference, but can Villa complete a rare double over Liverpool to ease their relegation fears or will the Reds bounce back in style foll...

READ MORE

Outside the Box – Football on TV: Gazza’s running out of chances while England run riot in San Marino

Let’s face it, there’s an awful lot of guff on TV isn’t there? In the ever-burgeoning crevasse of broadcasting channels, the sheer volume of half-baked tripe and lightweight, hollowed-out husks of regurgitated twaddle leaves the average viewer starved of visual stimulation and viewing conten...

READ MORE

Aston Villa: Can Villa now march up the Premier League table?

There haven’t been two more important back-to-back victories in my lifetime than those against Reading and Queen’s Park Rangers over the last couple of weekends. The wins against second from bottom Reading and basement boys QPR were make or break for Villa.Even winning the games have left Vil...

READ MORE

Predict the Premier League: Liverpool are on top of the pile

Its been almost a month since the scores for Squarefootballs Predict the Premier League were last updated, so without further ado lets get cracking. Liverpool 5 Swansea City 0 The Reds were braced for a tough game against the Capital One Cup finalists, but Michael Laudrups mind was already focused...

READ MORE

Predict the Premier League: Sunderland and Wigan remain neck and neck

Sunderlands Tony Ratton was the man to beat in our Predict the Premier League competition, but since the turn of the year Wigan Athletic fan Jimmy Shine and even Manchester Citys Callum Rothwell have both taken over top spot. However, today, as we update the league for the first team in a month, the...

READ MORE

Squarefootball's Team of the Week - Week 30

Arsenal gave their Champions League hopes a huge boost at the weekend by beating Swansea City. Tottenhams shock defeat at home to Fulham gave Gooners even more reasons to cheer, but the biggest reaction at full time definitely came at Villa Park as Aston Villa saw off QPR in a five-goal thriller...

READ MORE

Aston Villa v QPR: Can Redknapp drag Lambert back into trouble?

Both Aston Villa and QPR won at the weekend to give their survival hopes a boost, but who will be the happier set of fans come the full-time whistle on Saturday? QPR are statistically the dominant force in this fixture, particularly in the league. They have recorded 20 victories against Villa to th...

READ MORE

Bale, Michu, RVP or Suarez: Who is your Player of the Season?

There have been some outstanding performers in the Premier League this season. Gareth Bales stunning goals and man of the match displays have helped Tottenhams top four dreams, Luis Suarez is currently topping the leagues scoring charts, Robin van Persies arrival at Old Trafford has all but wrestled...

READ MORE

Is Aston Villa’s strike force strong enough to keep them up?

It’s been clear since the start of the season Villa’s defence and midfield has been for too weak to compete against most of Premier League’s clubs. The back line is not entirely to blame by any stretch of the imagination because as the old adage goes – you defend and attack as a team. With easil...

READ MORE

Outside the Box – Football on TV: Munich is top of United’s problems but Nani ain’t one

Last week saw a big few days for Manchester United. Prodigal son and spray tan admirer Cristiano Ronaldo sauntered back into town with the same cocksure swagger and over-preened sense of self-worth he left with four years ago, and along with his slightly misfiring team broke the hearts of his...

READ MORE

Reading v Aston Villa: Will Villa rule over the Royals?

Aston Villa and Reading start today in the bottom three but theres only one set of fans heading to the Madejski with a smile on their faces and thats the visitors. You see Reading and Aston Villa have met nine times in the league down the years and Villa have won all but one of them. That should giv...

READ MORE

Squarefootball's Team of the Week

Arsenal lost the crunch north London derby while Liverpool and Manchester United went goal crazy, QPR gave their survival hopes a boost with victory over Southampton and West Ham became only the second side this season to win at the Britannia, but who has made it into our Team of the Week? Here i...

READ MORE

Outside the Box – Football on TV: Comical Colin losing his seat could mean Match Of The Day 2 losing much much more

It could be argued that watching football on television has become a full-time endeavour. Well obviously for me it is because each week I force my rambling and churlish thoughts on the subject on to your computer screens in a senseless demonstration of puerile envy. But for all of us now, it ...

READ MORE