Angel exit gives O'Neill room to maneuvour
Martin O'Neill is looking to strengthen his squad following the
departure of Juan Pablo Angel to America.
The Colombian yesterday brought to an end a six-year spell at Villa
when he signed a three-year deal with Major League Soccer side New
York Red Bulls subject to obtaining a work permit.
The 31-year-old cost Villa a club record £9.5million when he signed
from River Plate in January 2001 but his days looked numbered with
the arrival of John Carew and Ashley Young during the January
transfer window.
Now O'Neill is set to step up his search for replacements with
Villa no longer in danger of relegation.
He told the club's website: 'Does it open up a space here? I would
think we'd be trying to strengthen anyway, to give us a decent
squad.
'I wouldn't want to be stuck in the same mode as we were in
November/December when we just didn't have the numbers, never mind
anything else.
'We could have done with a transfer window in November but it just
wasn't to be.'
Angel enjoyed mixed fortunes at Villa with his best season in
2003-04 when he scored 23 times as the club just missed out on a
UEFA Cup spot on goal difference to Newcastle.
He started this season in the side and scored seven goals before
Christmas but has failed to make the substitutes' bench in eight of
Villa's last nine games.
O'Neill continued: 'Other people will be better judges than I am
about Juan Pablo being value for money.
'He had one fantastic season season when he scored over 20
goals.
'He has been very popular with the fans. Every time he has warmed
up the supporters have given him a big cheer and when he's played
in the games they have been supportive.
'I think with John Carew coming in and making a big impact, it
probably lessens the blow.
'He's been very popular and we wish him well. This is a great
opportunity for him to carve out a new life - and where
better?'
