Cheering Up Di Canio

The Joy of Six, Villa v Sunderland as it was tweeted...

Man United v Villa as it was tweeted...

U21s Fulham v Villa as it was tweeted...

Beneteke in PFA Young Player shortlist

Belgian goal machine Christian Benteke has been short-listed for the PFA Young Player of the Year. The unstoppable force snapped up from Genk has fired home 19 goals in his debut season for Aston Villa.

The Holte End favourite is on course  to break an Aston Villa goal-scoring record this season, as he looks to become the first player to score 20 league goals in an Aston Villa shirt since the glory days of Peter Withe.

The Beast of B6 is up against Gareth Bale, Jack Wilshire, Romelu Lukaku, Danny Welbeck and Eden Hazard for the award.

God third in all-time PFA Poll

Paul McGrath has finished third in the poll to find the most popular ever winner of the PFA Player of the Year award, with Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard topping the poll in the end.

McGrath, winner of the PFA Player of the Year award in 1993, finished in third place in the poll behind double PFA winner Thierry Henry and Steven Gerrard, who plays for Liverpool and runs about the pitch disappointingly for England.

Sky Sports' PFA 40 Years poll - final eight:

1. Steven Gerrard (2006 winner)

2. Terry Henry (2003 and 2004)

3. Paul McGrath (1993)

4. Norman Hunter (1974)

5. Dennis Bergkamp (1998)

6. Kenny Dalglish (1983)

7. Gary Lineker (1986)

8. Kevin Keegan (1982)

Twenty's Plenty Away Ticket Petition

Away fans are the beating heart of football. The hardcore.

Travelling supporters bring colour and atmosphere to grounds, spend the most money watching their teams and make the most effort to support their clubs. The away fan should not be taken for granted.

Supporters call upon football clubs at all levels of the game to recognise and reward the amazing contribution of travelling fans by getting together to agree an across the board price cap on away match tickets of £20 (£15 for concessions).

Want to help bring ticket prices down? Then sign the FSF’s Twenty’s Plenty for Away Tickets petition. Your online signature will not only show your support for the campaign but automatically trigger an email to your club and the relevant league. Twenty’s Plenty can only work if fans lobby their clubs and show that this is something their fan base supports. Do your bit and add your name to the petition.

Malcolm Clarke, chair of the FSF, said:

“Watching live football is becoming more and more expensive, and in the current financial climate many fans are finding it harder to afford. Increases in the cost of fuel and rail fares make travelling away particularly expensive, which is why the focus of this campaign is on those who travel to support their team.

“Fans continue to get in touch with the Football Supporters’ Federation on the issue of ticket pricing and affordability of the game on an almost daily basis. We think that the Twenty’s Plenty campaign is a realistic and achievable solution to help some of the most dedicated fans with their matchday costs.”

Martin O’Hara, deputy chair of the FSF, said:

“The increase in the domestic TV deal of around £1.2bn means that all Premier League clubs could subsidise every single ticket at every single game for the next three seasons to the tune of £32 each without losing a penny from this year’s revenues. That’s the equivalent of £600 off each and every season ticket.

“A cap on prices would help make football more affordable for those on low wages, children, students and OAPs. Football should not be a preserve of the wealthy. A maximum price of £20 would help clubs reconnect with the local communities from which they were born.

“Reciprocal arrangements such as these are in everyone’s interest – if all clubs adopt cheaper pricing for away fans, away match attendance will increase and teams will be backed by more of their most loyal supporters away from home.”