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Crippy Cooke

Crippy Cooke

Sports journalist who is an avid football fan, enjoys debunking transfer rumours, loves to write pieces on players out in the cold and takes a large amount of pride getting a predicted XI 100% correct.

50 articles

Gerrard was right to sell Chukwuemeka despite surprise
News

Gerrard was right to sell Chukwuemeka despite surprise

Aston Villa confirmed on Tuesday evening that an agreement had been reached with Chelsea that would see Carney Chukwuemeka join the Blues after a personal terms were finalised and a medical completed. Fabrizio Romano said Villa will land themselves in excess of £15m plus add-ons for the 18-year-old. Chukwuemeka leaving isn’t a shock, but it […]

Emi Buendia could be dropped v Bournemouth
News

Emi Buendia could be dropped v Bournemouth

Emiliano Buendia was left out of the matchday squad as Aston Villa beat Stade Rennais 2-1 in their final pre-season friendly on Saturday evening. As per Ashley Preece of Birmingham Live, the 25-year-old played a behind-closed-doors exhibition game against Fulham and was joined by Calum Chambers, Kaine Kesler Hayden and Tyrone Mings, so are this […]

Could Steven Gerrard drop Tyrone Mings v Bournemouth?
News

Could Steven Gerrard drop Tyrone Mings v Bournemouth?

Tyrone Mings was notable absentee in Aston Villa’s 2-1 win over Stade Rennais, failing to make the matchday squad in the Villans’ last friendly before the new season. The omission comes just days after he was stripped of the captaincy, so his place in the side might be uncertain as the new season looms. Steven […]

Traore must leave Villa after being ‘banished’ from first-team
News

Traore must leave Villa after being ‘banished’ from first-team

Aston Villa enjoyed a 2-1 win over Stade Rennais on Saturday evening, but Bertrand Traore didn’t feature. Ashley Preece of Birmingham Live says the 26-year-old has been ‘banished’ from the first-team, so he’ll surely have to leave this summer. Traore played 45 minutes in Villa’s 4-0 win over Walsall on July 9 but didn’t feature […]

Agbonlahor says Bailey ‘could play’ makeshift role
News

Agbonlahor says Bailey ‘could play’ makeshift role

Leon Bailey had an uncertain future at Aston Villa this summer after a disappointing campaign, but he’s been fantastic in pre-season and may have forced his way into Steven Gerrard’s starting eleven. The 24-year-old has played in every friendly for Villa, scoring one in their 4-0 win over Walsall on July 9, scoring one goal […]

Steven Gerrard should avoid Ross Barkley
News

Steven Gerrard should avoid Ross Barkley

Aston Villa aren’t short of creative midfielders with Jacob Ramsey, Philippe Coutinho and Emiliano Buendia, but they are lacking some cover in case of injury. Steven Gerrard would have to call upon his wingers in a makeshift or change in formation if he loses his players, so Villa could do with signing another this summer. […]

Villa axe could see Guilbert loaned back to France
News

Villa axe could see Guilbert loaned back to France

Frederic Guilbert could be on his way out of Aston Villa after being dropped to the U23s following his omission from Aston Villa’s 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar and 2-2 draw with Manchester United. The 27-year-old needed to impress Steven Gerrard to be considered as Matty Cash’s deputy for the new season, but he failed […]

Roma, Arsenal, Newcastle look elsewhere as Luiz considers U-turn
News

Roma, Arsenal, Newcastle look elsewhere as Luiz considers U-turn

Douglas Luiz looked destined to leave Aston Villa this summer as he was unwilling to sign a new deal beyond 2023 and had interest from AS Roma, Newcastle United and Arsenal, but Wayne Veysey of Football Insider says the 24-year-old may be considering a U-turn on his decision to snub a contract. Villa had Kalvin […]

Gerrard would love to sell Hause amid Bournemouth interest
News

Gerrard would love to sell Hause amid Bournemouth interest

When Kortney Hause returns from his knee injury, he’ll find another centre-back for competition in Diego Carlos, which may result in him seeking a move before the transfer window shuts. And while there wasn’t a lot of interest for an injured and out-of-favour centre-back earlier this summer, Alex Crook of talkSPORT says Bournemouth are keen […]

Chukwuemeka in ‘bomb squad’ ahead of Bournemouth clash
News

Chukwuemeka in ‘bomb squad’ ahead of Bournemouth clash

Frederic Guilbert appears to have been demoted to the U23s after failing to make an impact in pre-season, but he’s not the only one. Carney Chukwuemeka has been recently dropped to the reserves after failing to commit his future, so it doesn’t appear he’ll train with the first-team this season. Aston Villa travel to face […]

Wesley could finally leave Villa after Levante insert option to buy
News

Wesley could finally leave Villa after Levante insert option to buy

Wesley Moraes doesn’t have a future at Aston Villa after falling down the pecking order and being loaned out for the last two seasons, but Ashley Preece of Birmingham Live says the Midlands outfit may finally be able to cash in on his signature after Levante inserted an option to buy in their loan deal […]

Frederic Guilbert may be in ‘bomb squad’ after posting picture
News

Frederic Guilbert may be in ‘bomb squad’ after posting picture

Frederic Guilbert was hoping to force his way back into the Aston Villa squad after being frozen out last season, but it doesn’t appear he’s been successful. Matty Cash was expected to be first-choice right-back in 2022/23, but Guilbert had a chance of being his backup. Those hopes may be dashed now though. The 27-year-old […]