November 25 - Jlloyd to the world
Jlloyd Samuel has signed a new contract with Aston Villa.

Aston Villa defender Jlloyd Samuel has committed his future to the club by penning a new deal.
The England Under-21 has agreed a new four-year deal which takes him to June 2007.

The Trinidad-born full back has become a firm fixture in Villa's defence over the past few seasons and his form has been rewarded with a new contract.

Samuel broke into the team on a regular basis under Graham Taylor and he has kept his role in the David O'Leary regime.

"It was an easy decision to make to sign the new contract, because I have faith in Aston Villa football club," he told Villa's official website.

"I won't be getting complacent now I've got the new deal. That's always the danger, but I know there are areas of my game I have to work on.

"My best is definitely yet to come. I'm trying to be more consistent and it has helped that I've had a settled run at left back.

"Last season I found myself played all over and, even though you're always happy to do a job for the team, it's hard to get any consistency to your game.

"I'm still a young player and hopefully I can continue to improve over the next few years."

Source: Sky Sports

November 20 - Ansell leaves
Mark Ansell has left the building.

Aston Villa are searching for a new chief executive after announcing this morning that deputy chief executive Mark Ansell has left the club by mutual consent.

A statement to the Stock Exchange revealed that Ansell, who was also the club's financial director and number two to chairman and chief executive Doug Ellis, had departed.

Ellis plans to give up his role as chief executive in the New Year when the new chief executive is appointed.

The statement read: 'Today, by mutual consent, Mark Ansell left Aston Villa plc.

'Aston Villa plc has instructed a leading national firm of head hunters to appoint a chief executive replacement for Mark who Aston Villa thank for all his efforts during his six years with the company and wish him all the success he richly deserves in the future.

'Doug Ellis, chairman, will relinquish his role as chief executive in the New Year when the new chief executive takes up his post.'

Source: Soccernet

November 10 - Mellberg is Sweden's POTY
Olof Mellberg is delighted as he wins Swedens most prestigious award.

Aston Villa skipper Olof Mellberg won the Swedish Golden Ball on Monday.

'It's fantastic to win the biggest individual award in football in Sweden,' The defender said in a speech at the Swedish Football Gala aired on television channel TV4.

Mellberg, 26, captained Sweden to qualification for Euro 2004, scoring in the decisive 2-0 win over Poland in September.

Source: Soccernet