IT is a disgrace that so many players pulled out of the England squad.

Perhaps it's time we ended friendlies and just had matches to qualify for competitions.

I'm disgusted by the guys who have pulled out, I don't think they care any more.

Managers don't want players to take part because it breaks things up and some players don't seem to want to play either.

WHEN Manchester United roll into Villa Park on Saturday evening, Aston Villas bogey-team will include another potential thorn in Martin ONeill's side in the form of a brilliant Bulgarian.

Fortunately for Villa, they now boast one of their own.

The addition of Dimitar Berbatov to a United attack already dripping with Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo is a terrifying thought for anybody of a claret and blue persuasion.

MARTIN O'Neill has light-heartedly called for an end to pre-meditated goal celebrations and insists that the next baby-rocking routine he sees will drive him nuts.

It was a week which landed Ipswich striker David Norris in hot water for allegedly making a handcuffs gesture, which he later denied, in support of jailed former Plymouth team-mate Luke McCormick.

O'Neill's concerns though centre around the lengths some players now go to choreograph routines after they score.

ARSENAL suffered a major setback in their Barclays Premier League title challenge as Gabriel Agbonlahor earned victory for Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium.

Ashley Young had a first-half penalty saved by Manuel Almunia but then helped set up the opener when he crossed for Agbonlahor, who celebrated despite Gael Clichy appearing to get the final touch.

Agbonlahor then added the second 10 minutes from time when Villa broke, with Arsenal cancelling out the good work of last week when they beat Manchester United.

I see in the press today we are being quite heavily linked with Owen. Would you want him and his huge salary?

There is no doubting when fit and well he is still a class act but surely this would represent a huge gamble for Villa due to the players wage demands and shocking injury record.

For my part I am not sure. On the one hand I would love to see an exciting flair player like Owen on song in a Villa shirt and I am sure the shirt sales would be immense. On the other hand you could say he is well past his best and would represent as stated a huge gamble.

If we do sign him we also need a striker in the Carew mould as MON clearly does not rate Marlon anymore. Doyle, Santa Cruz and Heskey are all likely candidates although the first two have recently signed new deals with their respective clubs not that really counts for much as there is precious little loyalty in Football these days