Sunday Telegraph: The special relationship may have been given a bit of fortification by Gordon Brown's jaunt across the pond this week but in the football world, Anglo-American relations reached a nadir. The PM might have enjoyed the President's Texan hospitality, but there was little of that famed Southern civility on show in Tom Hicks' soft-focus assault on Rick Parry and George Gillett, another twist in the Anfield civil war that left more blood on an admittedly plush carpet. The garish decor chez Hicks was not inconsequential - it highlighted how out of touch he is with the reality on the streets of Liverpool. This is a spoilt feud between two millionaires over a shared toy. And supping pointedly from that branded mug was an insult to the supporters' intelligence. What with continued animosity directed towards the Glazer family's ownership of Manchester United, it appears the US influx into the boardrooms of the Premier League has never been less welcome. With an important exception, though: enter the Quiet American. While Hicks and Gillett tear at each other on the eve of a Champions League semi-final, Randy Lerner, Aston Villa owner and Brooklyn-born billionaire, flies into the country to offer his club timely support in advance of their derby game with Birmingham City today. A crucial game it is too: victory would keep Villa in contention for fifth place and UEFA Cup qualification, with the beneficial side-effect of pinning their city rivals in the relegation fight. "He's excited about it, he's anxious about it," said Martin O'Neill. "I think with the matches coming ahead here we still have a chance [of qualifying for Europe], although that's a million miles down the road with a game like this coming up. I haven't had a chance to speak to him properly but I know he came down to watch us train on Friday. "I think he's deliberately stayed out of the limelight. He went to great pains to disarm himself of this image that he has of, for want of better words, the knight in shining armour. He gets a bit embarrassed with that."

Mail on Sunday: Martin O'Neill may not have charmed his way into the England job, but he has arguably managed to do more for national pride as Aston Villa manager than by working at Soho Square. Villa are unique among the Premier League's top 10 clubs by having English players as their biggest driving force. Gareth Barry, Nigel Reo-Coker, Scott Carson, Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor have been the heartbeat of Villa's challenge for a European place and benefited hugely by playing in a young, vibrant side. It is a situation that will doubtlessly interest those well remunerated but damagingly underused Englishmen at Champions League clubs. Shaun Wright- Phillips, Theo Walcott and Steve Sidwell all figure in that bracket, but it is Peter Crouch, popular with Villa fans already after a spell there before being sold by former manager David O'Leary, and close friends with Barry, who will be of most interest to O'Neill. The striker is likely to leave Liverpool in the summer after being regarded merely as an emergency option by his manager Rafa Benitez. Villa's experienced Danish defender Martin Laursen once shared a dressing room at AC Milan with Paolo Maldini, Edgar Davids and Andriy Shevchenko, but he has never been excited by anything as much as the "English revolution" at Villa Park. He believes the likes of Barry, who admits he might have to consider his future at Villa Park, and Agbonlahor would regret leaving now to be bit-part players elsewhere, despite plenty of interest from the big boys. But confirm Villa's resurgence and reassure their players by nicking some stars off the "Big Four". Laursen said: "I can see how it can be a problem if one of the 'Big Four' teams comes in with £20million for one of our players," said Laursen, who will seek Barclays Premier League bragging rights over Birmingham City today. "It would be difficult for a club like Villa to ignore that, but the final decision will still come down to the player. I think there is a good argument to say they are better off here, playing and developing every week, rather than not contributing at another club. "This is a club who are going places. We have a lot of good young players here so an England striker like Peter Crouch should be interested in coming to Aston Villa. It's why I signed a new contract this year, because I believe in the future. I can't see myself playing for another English team."

People: Tottenham want England number one David James in a sensational swap deal - with Paul Robinson heading to Portsmouth. Boss Juande Ramos is chasing a new keeper and his spies are pushing for Pompey star James, who has just signed a new deal but may yet be open to the idea of joining the White Hart Lane revolution. And Spurs hope that they can make the deal happen by sending international rival Robinson to Fratton Park in exchange - although they would have to offer cash as well. James has been a revelation with Pompey and has helped them chase FA Cup glory and a UEFA Cup finish in the Premier League, making him one of the most respected keepers around. Robinson knows his days are numbered and is already fancied by Aston Villa, who are plotting an end-of-season raid if the price and wages are within their budget.

People: James Beattie is heading for Aston Villa as Martin O'Neill leads the chase for the striker. Sheffield United's £4million forward, who has 21 goals this season, is understood to favour a move to Villa ahead of interest from Middlesbrough, Blackburn and Portsmouth. The Blades will fight to keep the hitman but could be tempted by a £5m offer.

News of the World: BENFICA ace Nelson has told Aston Villa: "Come and get me." The Portugal full-back, born in Cape Verde, is keen to make a summer move.

Sporting Life: Ashley Young is relishing being given a 'licence to thrill' by Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill as he looks to help the midlands club take advantage of their European lifeline. Everton's home defeat to Chelsea means Villa can now draw level on points if they win their game in hand against Birmingham on Sunday and then the meeting with the Toffees at Goodison Park on April 27. Villa's revival has coincided with Young being freed from his left-wing position and told to cause havoc all over the pitch by O'Neill with his pace and trickery. Young said: "Is Europe back on the horizon? Yes, of course, but in fairness we've never put that target to the back of our minds. "Other people might have written our chances off but we've never said it was out of our sights. Now we want to finish off the league strongly and win all of the remaining games. "We have wanted to get into Europe from the very start of the season and we've managed to maintain a challenge even when we hit a bit of a stick patch. "We will take each game as it comes and come the end of the season hopefully we will be in a European position."

Sporting Life: Werder Bremen are considering a double summer swoop for England-based strikers Milan Baros and John Carew. The Bundesliga outfit are keen to add firepower to their squad after attacking injuries in the middle of the season exposed a lack of strength in depth. Bremen were eliminated from the last 16 of the UEFA Cup by Rangers as their threadbare squad struggled to threaten at Ibrox in the first leg. And manager Klaus Allofs has confirmed he is eyeing a move for Lyon forward Baros, who is currently on loan at Portsmouth, and Aston Villa striker John Carew. "We are considering the possible signings of players like John Carew or Milan Baros," Allofs told SportBild.

Sky Sports: Ashley Young is enjoying his current roving role in the Aston Villa side as he aims to steer the club into Europe. The talented youngster has recently been freed from playing on the left-wing to cause a threat to opponents as he sees fit. He has set his sights on European qualification and wants to finish off the season strongly. Villa now have huge incentive as they can draw level on points with fifth-placed Everton if they win their game in hand against Birmingham on Sunday and beat the Toffees at Goodison Park on 27th April. Young said: "Is Europe back on the horizon? Yes, of course, but in fairness we've never put that target to the back of our minds. "Other people might have written our chances off but we've never said it was out of our sights. Now we want to finish off the league strongly and win all of the remaining games. "We have wanted to get into Europe from the very start of the season and we've managed to maintain a challenge even when we hit a bit of a sticky patch. "We will take each game as it comes and come the end of the season, hopefully we will be in a European position."

Irish Independent: Martin O'Neill believes Aston Villa winger Ashley Young is coming to terms with being a marked man ahead of today's derby with Birmingham at Villa Park. Young was in superb form during the opening half of the campaign but hit a sticky patch before recapturing his touch in Villa's last two games with Bolton and Derby. Opposing teams have started to double-team the England player and team-mate Gabriel Agbonlahor. But being given a free role by O'Neill, rather than sticking mainly to the left-wing, has helped Young to flourish again and torment defences. "The idea is to try and get Ashley in the game as much as possible," said O'Neill. "He is coming to terms with the fact that people do highlight him as a dangerous player and that people will try and double up and try and stop him."

Gulf Times (Quatar): Gareth Barry could be taking part in his final Birmingham derby for Aston Villa today after admitting that he could be ready to leave the club he has served for ten years for pastures new this summer. England international Barry has been the subject of growing interest from Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, with the Spaniard ready to pay 12mn pounds (24mn dollars) to land the Villa Park player at the end of the season. Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is the driving force behind trying to persuade Barry to move this summer and Champions League rivals Chelsea are also firm admirers of the 27-year-old, who is now becoming an established international in Fabio Capello's squad. Barry has two years left on his 47,000pounds-a-week deal, but is desperate to experience Champions League football and said: "Every footballer wants to play at the highest level and anyone who says different shouldn't really be in the game or is lying. "I am 27 and the next two or three years are hopefully going to be the peak of my career and it is a selfish sort of situation. I have been paid well for the last 10 years and anything I do now will be the right thing for my career."

Coverage From Abroad

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