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Alex McLeish suggests Aston Villa would be interested if Robbie Keane wanted permanent Premier League return
The Scot admits he has not contemplated trying to buy the LA Galaxy striker at present but intimates that he would be keen on a move if the Republic of Ireland star left the MLS
Jan 22, 2012 12:09:00 AM
By Arthur Virgo
Alex McLeish has suggested Aston Villa would be interested if Robbie Keane decided to make a permanent move to the Premier League.
Keane scored two terrific goals to seal all three points for Villa in a 3-2 win over Wolves on Saturday and while McLeish admits he has not thought about buying the LA Galaxy star outright, he insists he could be interested in a deal.
When asked about the possibility of Keane arriving permanently, he responded: “No it’s not something that we’ve thought about as yet. You’ve docked me after he’s just scored two goals but since the final whistle we haven’t yet opened talks.
“I like to think I’d be interested [if he came back to the Premier League]. He’s probably paid his dues with that magnificent performance today.”
McLeish hailed the striker's match-winning double and added: “Two great strikes - Robbie’s done that throughout his career and it was no surprise to see him on the scoresheet. It was spectacular. Not many people shoot from outside the box these days, but Keane has done that a few times over the years.”
Darren Bent had initially converted a penalty after he was brought down by Christophe Berra but Wolves came back, as Michael Kightly cut inside Ciaran Clark to fire in the equaliser following good work from Emmanuel Frimpong before David Edwards got a flick on from a Roger Johnson header to put the home side 2-1 ahead.
The Villa boss conceded that his side were fortunate, after Keane's double secured all three points, telling reporters: “We got a bit of luck today. Mick's [McCarthy] team's first-half onslaught we looked as if we could be dead and buried but after half-time the team responded very well. Maybe I’ve got to make them angry every week.
“They started great in the game and for some reason we started to play on the back-foot instead of the front-foot and allowed Wolves to come on to us.”
The dynamic Frimpong went off injured shortly after the break and enforcer Karl Henry was sent off after kicking out at Marc Albrighton, but the Scotsman reserved praise for his side’s character, adding: “We knew that there’s still 45 minutes to go and that was the key, getting them in at half-time and trying to re-group and show their character and spirit.”
The manager went on to explain how he was without Stephen Ireland after the playmaker picked up a hamstring strain at training on Friday, and how Gabby Agbonlahor needed to come off at half-time struggling with illness.
He made the point of praising Stephen Warnock who appeared as a substitute despite previously starting every league match this season, adding: “He was effective. Hats off to Stevey, he was left out of the starting line-up and he was excellent when he came on.
“He’s more accustomed to getting closer to the wide-man and maybe [Michael] Kightly wasn’t as effective. It’s not easy getting left out and having to come on at half-time but if he felt he had something to prove, he did that.”
After his sixth match unbeaten on the road, McLeish concluded: “Winning as many home games as we can has got to be the next target for us in the second half of the season. We’re aware of that. It’s been a great run on the road, but there’s nothing like winning at your own place and we’ve still got a bit of building to do.”
| Bet: | Returns: | Houston Dynamo £20.00 | Draw £32.50 | Los Angeles Galaxy £34.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Houston Dynamo £20.00 | Draw £35.00 | Los Angeles Galaxy £32.50 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Houston Dynamo £19.09 | Draw £32.00 | Los Angeles Galaxy £34.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Houston Dynamo £19.10 | Draw £34.00 | Los Angeles Galaxy £40.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Houston Dynamo £19.50 | Draw £32.00 | Los Angeles Galaxy £36.00 |
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Keane scored two terrific goals to seal all three points for Villa in a 3-2 win over Wolves on Saturday and while McLeish admits he has not thought about buying the LA Galaxy star outright, he insists he could be interested in a deal.
When asked about the possibility of Keane arriving permanently, he responded: “No it’s not something that we’ve thought about as yet. You’ve docked me after he’s just scored two goals but since the final whistle we haven’t yet opened talks.
“I like to think I’d be interested [if he came back to the Premier League]. He’s probably paid his dues with that magnificent performance today.”
McLeish hailed the striker's match-winning double and added: “Two great strikes - Robbie’s done that throughout his career and it was no surprise to see him on the scoresheet. It was spectacular. Not many people shoot from outside the box these days, but Keane has done that a few times over the years.”
Darren Bent had initially converted a penalty after he was brought down by Christophe Berra but Wolves came back, as Michael Kightly cut inside Ciaran Clark to fire in the equaliser following good work from Emmanuel Frimpong before David Edwards got a flick on from a Roger Johnson header to put the home side 2-1 ahead.
The Villa boss conceded that his side were fortunate, after Keane's double secured all three points, telling reporters: “We got a bit of luck today. Mick's [McCarthy] team's first-half onslaught we looked as if we could be dead and buried but after half-time the team responded very well. Maybe I’ve got to make them angry every week.
“They started great in the game and for some reason we started to play on the back-foot instead of the front-foot and allowed Wolves to come on to us.”
The dynamic Frimpong went off injured shortly after the break and enforcer Karl Henry was sent off after kicking out at Marc Albrighton, but the Scotsman reserved praise for his side’s character, adding: “We knew that there’s still 45 minutes to go and that was the key, getting them in at half-time and trying to re-group and show their character and spirit.”
The manager went on to explain how he was without Stephen Ireland after the playmaker picked up a hamstring strain at training on Friday, and how Gabby Agbonlahor needed to come off at half-time struggling with illness.
He made the point of praising Stephen Warnock who appeared as a substitute despite previously starting every league match this season, adding: “He was effective. Hats off to Stevey, he was left out of the starting line-up and he was excellent when he came on.
“He’s more accustomed to getting closer to the wide-man and maybe [Michael] Kightly wasn’t as effective. It’s not easy getting left out and having to come on at half-time but if he felt he had something to prove, he did that.”
After his sixth match unbeaten on the road, McLeish concluded: “Winning as many home games as we can has got to be the next target for us in the second half of the season. We’re aware of that. It’s been a great run on the road, but there’s nothing like winning at your own place and we’ve still got a bit of building to do.”
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