Villa record losses of €44.3 million

SOCCER SHORTS:ASTON VILLA are looking to reduce their wage bill after revealing losses of €44.3 million for the year ending May 31st, 2010.

Wages at the club increased by €10.6 million to almost €94 million and now account for 88 per cent of Villa’s €106 million turnover, which actually increased last season by €7 million.

“We probably need to have a better balance between the salary (wage bill) and the turnover of the club,” said manager Gerard Houllier. “It won’t be done overnight – it will be done gradually.”

Villa generated €61.4 million from television revenue, while matchday turnover was €28 million and commercial income €17 million.

The rise in turnover lifted Villa into Europe’s top 20 earning clubs for the first time, while the loss last season was €10.6 million less than the previous campaign. But owner Randy Lerner provided €14.7 million during the year from a new share issue and a further €14.7 million in loan notes. He also funded the £27.7 million deal for Darren Bent.

Defoe to resume training this week

FEARS that Tottenham Hotspur may lose Jermain Defoe for a significant period have receded.

The striker broke down with an ankle problem during the club’s warm-weather training break in Dubai recently, but he will resume training this week after an X-ray revealed only “soft-tissue irritation”.

The Spurs manager, Harry Redknapp, has a number of injury worries to deal with ahead of the Champions League last-16 second leg against Milan next week.

“Defoe has an injury again,” Redknapp said.. “He’s had a problem with his ankle before and it didn’t feel too good.

Earlier this season, Defoe missed 10 weeks after suffering an ankle ligament injury while on England duty. Tottenham’s next fixture is at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.

Bowyer's time running out at Blues

LEE Bowyer will decide in the summer whether to continue playing after being told he will not be offered a new contract by Birmingham.

The 34-year-old midfielder helped City to win the League Cup by beating Arsenal at Wembley on Sunday. But Bowyer already knew before the final that his days at St Andrew’s were numbered.

Bowyer said: “We will see what happens in the summer.

“I am still hungry, I think I have got another couple of years and then...I don’t know.

“But, if next summer I wake up one day and I suddenly feel like I don’t enjoy it, that will be it.”

Bowyer was hoping to extend his stay with Blues for another 12 months but is adamant personal disappointment will not affect his commitment for the remainder of the campaign.

“It won’t alter the way I play. I always give my all. I’m the same, no matter where I have been.”

Hamstring injury rules Kelly out for a month

LIVERPOOL defender Martin Kelly has been ruled out for a month with a torn hamstring sustained at the weekend.

The 20-year-old has been an ever-present on the right side of defence in the Premier League since Kenny Dalglish took over as manager in early January.

However, the academy graduate limped off in Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at West Ham and will be sidelined for four weeks.

The only consolation for Kelly is that March is a relatively quiet month for the Reds and he is likely to miss Sunday’s visit of Manchester United, both legs of the Europa League last-16 tie against Portugal’s Braga and the trip to Sunderland on March 20th

First team coach Steve Clarke admits it is tough losing the in-form Kelly but fully expects the side to cope in his absence.

“It’s disappointing for the player because he’s been on a good run doing well for us,” he said.

“It’s a blow for us but we can handle it and we’ll move on.”

West Ham's Gold on the mend

WEST Ham co-chairman David Gold is recovering well from cholangitis and septicaemia, his daughter Jacqueline said today.

Gold went into hospital on Sunday after being taken ill last Wednesday evening.

Since then, the Hammers have been inundated with messages of support for the 74-year-old, who missed the team’s crucial 3-1 win over Liverpool last weekend.

Jacqueline Gold said this afternoon that her father is responding well to his treatment and wanted to thank all the people who have wished him well.

She said: “My father is still feeling very poorly but his consultant is very pleased with the way he is responding to treatment and we are hoping he will be well enough for surgery next week.

“I know dad would like to thank everyone for their support and best wishes . . . .”

Drogba in no rush to leave

CHELSEA striker Didier Drogba claims he has everything he dreams of at Stamford Bridge and has no desire to leave.

The 32-year-old, who joined the Blues in 2004 from Marseille, has been linked with a return to France since the arrival of Fernando Torres.

But Drogba, who has a contract until 2012 said: “I have everything I dream of at Chelsea. Im at a great club with extraordinary team-mates in a perfect life for my family.”

Ireland eager for Newcastle debut

STEPHEN Ireland has vowed not to let anybody down as he prepares to make his debut for Newcastle this weekend.

Midfielder Ireland has shaken off the knee injury he arrived with at St James’ Park after joining the Magpies on loan until the end of the season from Aston Villa a month ago.

With Joey Barton struggling with a thigh injury and Ryan Taylor suspended for three games after his dismissal in Saturday’s draw with Bolton, Ireland could make his United bow at home to Everton on Saturday.

If so, the 24-year-old is determined to prove his worth to manager Alan Pardew and his team-mates.

“I’m really ready to go, give it my best shot and have a good go at getting the team high up the table,” said Ireland. “The manager’s worked hard to get me, and I’m definitely going to repay him for his efforts in getting me here. I don’t want to let him or my team-mates down if I get my chance.”