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Saturday, 28 November 2009Aston Villa v Tottenham, 17:30 Blackburn v Stoke, 15:00 Fulham v Bolton, 15:00 Man City v Hull, 15:00 Portsmouth v Man Utd, 15:00 West Ham v Burnley, 15:00 Wigan v Sunderland, 15:00 Sunday, 29 November 2009Arsenal v Chelsea, 16:00 Everton v Liverpool, 13:30 Wolverhampton v Birmingham, 12:00 Barcelona v Real Madrid 18:00

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McGregor statue unveiled today:

Aston Villa's statue to club legend who founded the Football LeagueNov 26 2009 by Lisa Smith, Birmingham PostAdd a commentRecommendA monument set to rival Anfield’s Shankly Gates and Wembley’s iconic Bobby Moore statue will be unveiled at Villa Park this week.It will be a tribute to a man without whom there would be no football as we know it, and without whom Shankly and Moore would never even have had a sport in which to make their name.William McGregor founded the Football League in 1888 and, as chairman and then president of Aston Villa, ensured his club was one of the founder members.McGregor, a Scotsman with a passion for football, moved to Birmingham in 1870. By 1876 he had become involved at Villa but frustrated at the lack of competitive games and therefore the lack of support.By 1888 however McGregor and his cronies had called a meeting at a London hotel where Villa, Derby County, Notts County, Stoke, Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion were presented and the inaugural Football League was formed.A month later and Accrington, Bolton Wanderers, Everton. Halliwell, Nottingham Forest, Preston North End and Sheffield Wednesday had been invited in.Villa fans have long been proud of the fact it was their club president who played such a major part in inventing the competitive game as we know it, and seven years ago the Aston Villa Supporters’ Trust began mooting plans to erect a statue in his honour.This weekend all their hard work and fundraising is rewarded with the unveiling of the William McGregor Statue at Villa Park ahead of the Premier League clash with Tottenham.For members of the Trust and Villa chairman Randy Lerner, it is a vision and a dream which has finally come to fruition, with the backing of Villa fans.But why has it taken Villa’s philanthropic American owner to remind us here in Blighty of the importance of our heritage? Why has it taken more than 100 years for the club to finally realise that being such a vital part of footballing history is something which should be lauded and celebrated?Villa fans have certainly known their place in history – a banner paid for by supporters has been fluttering across the upper tier of the Holte End for the last couple of seasons to remind us just why 1874 was a very good year.Peter Warrilow and the members of the Aston Villa Supporters Trust have certainly known McGregor’s value as they campaigned tirelessly – first to get permission for statue outside the directors’ entrance and then to get match-funding for it.They recognised long ago that, without McGregor, fans would be consigned to watching friendlies. The thrills and spills of cup clashes, away days and league competitions would never have been discovered were it not for this short bearded man from a draper’s shop in Aston who will be unveiled in all his glory in bronze this weekend.For Martin O’Neill the statue is certainly a welcome addition – the Northern Irishman clearly joining Lerner in paying attention to Villa’s proud heritage.“I couldn’t be more pleased that this statute commemorating McGregor’s links with the Football League and Aston Villa is being put in pride of place,” he said. “It is really important and perhaps something we should have done a long, long time ago.”For Peter Warrilow of the Supporters Trust it is also an event to celebrate. “I am absolutely delighted,” he said. “It has been seven years since we first talked about it and five since sculptor Sam Holland was commissioned. It has been a long road but we would like to thank the directors, the club and Villa supporters for their help in making this happen."This statue is far more significant than any others – without McGregor there would not have been a league as we know it and the other players and managers would not have been around.”There is now talk of Villa having its very own museum – after all it has a history which far exceeds that of the so-called big clubs of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal.The club’s motto is Proud History, Bright Future. William McGregor ensured that and who wouldn’t bet on Randy Lerner carrying it on?
Will get some pictures because I know ViP2 are so interested.We paid for it, we've been raising the money for six years. Doug didn't want to pay for it, Randy offered but was declined, this is truly ours.
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Gonna be an interesting game.

Last season both games ended 2-1 to the away team with the winners in the first game scoring in the 5th and 50th minutes and a reply from the home team in the 85th. In the return fixture, the away team scored in the 5th and 54th minute with the consolation goal coming in the 87th minute.The season before, Villa won the home game and drew the away fixture whilst Spurs did the same the season before - both victories by a solitary goal.
Can see it going either way.
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that pen was worst decision ive seen in any of our matches everref wouldn of never gave it agaisnt pool, arsenal or chelsea............still cant see why or how it was givenvalencia playing well but heriedesson and wilson wouldnt get into my sunday teamneed berbatov on the pitch carrick and scholes are cancelling each other outand the less said about giggs the better

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