Birth Date: June 13 1980
Birth Place: Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham
Birth Nation: England
Height: 170cm
Weight: 76Kg
Nationality: British
Position: Forward
Darius Vassell Rumours and Transfers
10 08 2007
Skipper Gareth Barry admitted that the expectation level amongst Villa supporters is at its highest since his 1st season almost a decade ago.
Barry was a member of the Villa side which led the Premier League table from September 1998 into the following year under John Gregory before fading badly and finishing 6th.
It was the last time they seriously threatened to challenge for the title ahead of several years of underachievement and disillusionment on the terraces.
Barry is not saying Villa will achieve those lofty heights only 12 months into Martin O'Neill's reign, however he does sense the optimism from fans ahead of Saturday's clash with Liverpool.
The England midfielder said, "Other than in my 1st year at Villa, there is probably more expectation about this season than there was since I have been here. You can always tell that from the number of season tickets being sold. They said this year they will not be far off breaking the record for the highest ever and that is always a good sign. It was also why I chose to remain here last year. The club assured me they would like to move forward by bringing in the right players. The fans appreciate that as well so the expectation levels should be there and we have got to relish it. We climbed 5 places last season to finish 11th and if we can climb another 5 places this season then we will be making good progress."
Barry, a former Brighton trainee, is the only survivor from those heady days under Gregory following the departure of Darius Vassell 2 years ago and Lee Hendrie in the summer.
He said, "With so lots of young players here, it does make me feel old! I have been in the game nearly 10 years now however I am still only 26. I realise if I am lucky that I have still got a lot of years ahead of me."
O'Neill expects to tie up the loan capture of Liverpool goalie Scott Carson today, however he still faces an anxious 90 minutes against the Reds.
Carson could be ineligible for that game and, with Thomas Sorensen injured, O'Neill has only academy player David Bevan as back up to Stuart Taylor.
Nigel Reo-Coker is poised to make his Villa debut in midfield however his former The Hammers team mate Marlon Harewood is probably going to be amongst the substitutes. Forward John Carew expects to have recovered from a small groin problem.
08 08 2007
Veteran midfielder Dietmar Hamann has declared his intention to be part of Sven-Goran Eriksson's Manchester City revolution.
After bringing in 8 new players since succeeding Stuart Pearce as manager in the summer, Eriksson is now looking at letting others leave.
Misfiring forwards Georgios Samaras, Darius Vassell and Paul Dickov are reportedly bound for the Eastlands exit door, along with Ousmane Dabo, Ishmael Miller and former England international Danny Mills, who was informed by Eriksson he has no future at the club.
It would have been no surprise if Hamann found himself surplus to requirements either after being restricted to only 14 starts during an injury hit debut campaign with the Blues following his controversial switch from Liverpool via Bolton.
However, the 33 year old can sense a momentum building at City and is keen to scrap for a place in Eriksson's plans.
"We have several midfielders now however it does not worry me. Whoever comes in, I will fight for my place and I will be ready," he informed the club's website.
"I have never feared competition and I will not this season either. I did not play well enough last year however I have had a good pre season, with no injuries, and I am looking forward to Saturday."
07 08 2007
Manchester City will listen to offers for Danny Mills, Ousmane Dabo and Paul Dickov.
City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson signed 8 players since taking over in July and several team members have become surplus to requirements.
Defender Mills, 30, midfielder Dabo, 30 and forward Dickov, 34, would all be set to leave Eastlands.
BBC 5 Live understands Georgios Samaras, Darius Vassell, Ishmael Miller and Kasper Schmeichel could also leave.
Eriksson has added Geovanni, Rolando Bianchi, Gelson Fernandes, Martin Petrov, Javier Garrido, Vedran Corluka, Elano and Valeri Bojinov to his options at the club in his 1st month in charge.
Joey Barton, Sylvain Distin, Nicky Weaver, Trevor Sinclair, Hatem Trabelsi and Stephen Jordan have left the club in the close season.
18 07 2007
Manchester City have discarded a bid for Darius Vassell from Turkish side Besiktas.
There were rumours that Sven Goran Eriksson was prepared to allow the forward leave as he is looking to rebuild the team ahead of the new season.
However, it now appears the striker, who earned 22 England caps under Eriksson, could have a future at the City of Manchester Stadium.
A statement on the club's website said, "Manchester City can confirm that they have received an offer from Besiktas for Darius Vassell, which was discarded by the club. The player is part of the 22 man team currently on the pre season tour of Sweden."
