Birmingham Mail: Brad Guzan is refusing to plot a passage to safety . . . because he knows it won't go to plan. The Villa keeper reckons it's pointless highlighting specific games as potential victories as there's just as much chance of upsetting one of the big boys. "You can't work out a points total because football is a mad game that you can't predict," he said. "Every weekend there are shocks."
Goal.com: Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan has admitted he would "love" to return to the MLS after finishing his time playing in Europe. The American shot-stopper signed for Villa in 2008 for a fee of £600,000 from Chivas, and has displaced Shay Given as the number one this season, making 25 appearances so far. Guzan did however state that after he has finished playing in Europe, he would "definitely" like to return to play in his homeland - particularly for the Chicago Fire, his hometown club.
Express & Star: Paul Lambert today told his Aston Villa players to adopt a "hard-nosed mentality" in their remaining 12 Premier League games. Villa are a point above the relegation zone and have been accused of having a soft centre, especially given how easily they have dropped points from winning positions. The claret and blues face Arsenal and Manchester City in their next two league games and Lambert would like to see them prove stubborn opponents against two teams battling for Champions League places.
Birmingham Mail: Gareth Southgate has urged Villa to forget about the past and focus on their most important season finale in recent history. The claret and blues have faded dramatically during high-pressure run-ins over the years - most notably in 1993 when a title challenge wilted, and in 2009 as their Champions League push crumbled. Southgate believes this season's closing fixtures are equally as important given the extent of the problems relegation could cause. Which is why the former Holte End hero insists they must keep their nerve this time around in what is gearing up to be a tense battle to hold on to their Premier League lives.
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BBC Sport: Birmingham City manager Lee Clark has dropped Nikola Zigic from his squad after accusing the striker of a lack of effort in training. Clark, 40, said the Serb had originally been told he was starting Saturday's game against Watford. "I've finished training absolutely disgusted. I can't just sit and take that, the fans need to know," he said.
Sky Sports: Brendan Rodgers believes that Liverpool need to 'bring in some men' in the summer to ensure the club continue to improve. Liverpool's transfer dealings since Rodgers took charge last year have largely focused on the younger end of the market, but it has not helped to bring consistency to the team's results. And, with Jamie Carragher retiring at the end of the season, Rodgers wants to sign players who will add greater character to his squad.
BBC Sport: Sir Alex Ferguson reckons Manchester United now have more players capable of fighting for trophies than during their historic 1999 treble-winning campaign. Once again Ferguson's team are chasing a trio of titles in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup. The Scot said of his team's chances: "We have a stronger squad now."
BBC Sport: United States and ex-Leeds United winger Robbie Rogers says he is "stepping away" from football after announcing he is gay. Rogers, 25, who was released by Leeds in January after a loan spell at Stevenage, is only the third footballer to publicly declare his homosexuality.
*The extracts on this page are taken from various newspapers and media outlets. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Aston Villa.
