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Martin O'Neill Dubs James Collins 'Potential Captain' Of Aston Villa
Ulsterman reckons Welsh stopper can be "one of the best"...
| Bet: | Returns: | Aston Villa £52.00 | Draw £38.00 | Manchester City £16.15 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Aston Villa £55.00 | Draw £36.00 | Manchester City £16.70 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Aston Villa £46.50 | Draw £34.50 | Manchester City £16.80 |
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Nov 4, 2009 1:34:51 AM
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has labelled James Collins "a potential captain" of the club, suggesting that the former West Ham United player has all the qualities to become one of the Premier League's elite defenders.
The 26-year-old had been struggling to nail down a first-team place at Upton Park when Villa swooped during the summer, and O'Neill could hardly be happier with his new recruit.
“I was delighted to take James on,” said the Ulsterman in The Mirror. “I think he can become one of the best. He has all the attributes and is a potential captain.
“West Ham had a lot of centre-backs, perhaps they felt they could let him go. And perhaps he thought if he wasn’t eventually going to be first choice, maybe he had a case for moving on.
“He wanted to come and play and felt there was a chance to establish himself considering we had Curtis Davies injured and out for some time.
“If he got a run of games, James could go and prove himself and that’s exactly what he's done. I’m pleased because he has been absolutely terrific.
“All the things I saw in James’ game he has shown fantastically well. He has ability to be really composed under pressure. He can play the ball, manoeuvre it, control it and he really tries to defend to the best of his ability.”
Both Collins and Nigel Reo-Coker could start against their former club tonight as Villa travel to the capital to take on a struggling West Ham side.
Gianfranco Zola's men sit second-to-last in the standings, and O'Neill expressed sympathy for his counterpart in light of the restrictions the Italian has had to work under during his time at the cash-strapped club.
He said: “[Zola's] job is very difficult given everything. I am sure he would have liked an easier passage.
“The circumstances of coming into management have been particularly trying for him but he has got on with it.
“These problems that are hitting him so early will stand him in good stead.”
Mick Maguire, Goal.com UK
The 26-year-old had been struggling to nail down a first-team place at Upton Park when Villa swooped during the summer, and O'Neill could hardly be happier with his new recruit.
“I was delighted to take James on,” said the Ulsterman in The Mirror. “I think he can become one of the best. He has all the attributes and is a potential captain.
“West Ham had a lot of centre-backs, perhaps they felt they could let him go. And perhaps he thought if he wasn’t eventually going to be first choice, maybe he had a case for moving on.
“He wanted to come and play and felt there was a chance to establish himself considering we had Curtis Davies injured and out for some time.
“If he got a run of games, James could go and prove himself and that’s exactly what he's done. I’m pleased because he has been absolutely terrific.
“All the things I saw in James’ game he has shown fantastically well. He has ability to be really composed under pressure. He can play the ball, manoeuvre it, control it and he really tries to defend to the best of his ability.”
Both Collins and Nigel Reo-Coker could start against their former club tonight as Villa travel to the capital to take on a struggling West Ham side.
Gianfranco Zola's men sit second-to-last in the standings, and O'Neill expressed sympathy for his counterpart in light of the restrictions the Italian has had to work under during his time at the cash-strapped club.
He said: “[Zola's] job is very difficult given everything. I am sure he would have liked an easier passage.
“The circumstances of coming into management have been particularly trying for him but he has got on with it.
“These problems that are hitting him so early will stand him in good stead.”
Mick Maguire, Goal.com UK
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