Aston Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov, who is currently sidelined because of acute leukaemia, has been voted the club's players' player of the year.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish insists their impending Wembley FA Cup semi-final with Everton will not be a distraction as they try to get results back on track.

Aston Villa supporters are being urged to attend a pre-match protest against manager Alex McLeish ahead of Sunday's home clash with Manchester City.

Gabriel Agbonlahor has pledged his future to Aston Villa and the England striker warned other clubs they would be wasting their time trying to prise him away.

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish insists he is under no pressure to pick loan signing Robbie Keane despite the striker joining for just a six-week spell.

The Weekend Dossier

Alex McLeish insists veteran striker Emile Heskey still has a major role to play at Aston Villa and that it would be "crazy" not to make use of his vast experience.

Alex McLeish hopes to persuade Scott Parker to join Aston Villa this week, when the new Villa manager looks to begin spending the proceeds of Stewart Downing's £20m sale on Charles N'Zogbia, Shay Given and the West Ham captain.

Alex McLeish believes out-of-favour full-back Stephen Warnock has "staked his claim" to be part of the future at Aston Villa with his attitude in pre-season training.

Roger Johnson is poised to sign for Wolves in a £7m move after admitting Birmingham's relegation from the Barclays Premier League was a key factor in him wanting to leave St Andrew's.

Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov believes Manchester City keeper Shay Given would be the ideal replacement for Brad Friedel.

It's been a turbulent summer for Aston Villa with the departure of manager Gerard Houllier, the controversial appointment of Alex McLeish as his successor and their rivals preying on their star players.

Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee is reported to have parted company with the club after three years in the role.

Aston Villa may have concluded their protracted search for a new manager but the brouhaha over Alex McLeish's controversial appointment is set to rumble on.