Player of Season

THERES still a fortnight to go before the end of season gongs are dished out.

Gongs and dishes. I've been watching too much Hells Kitchen. Well, Marco Pierre White will be at Villa Park next month in the flesh, so maybe he has been on my mind.

Anway, I digress. Only Martin Laursen announcing his retirement and potentially causing a surge in sympathetic voters can seemingly halt Stiliyan Petrov's march to the crown.

That would represent some comeback from the Bulgarian who was hopeless in his first few months at the club.

He was out of the side and nowhere only 12 months ago only to be brought back just in time for Villa to crash 15 goals past Bolton, Derby and you know who.

It would be an astonishing turnaround but Petrov has enjoyed a consistently fine season.

Which is why it is of paramount importance that a new contract can be agreed.

Talks, of course, are "ongoing". They always are even if one side has completely and utterly given up the ghost.

My understanding is that Petrov may first want to see where Villa's ambitions lie for next season before he commits.

At least one Premier club with massive backing behind them have made an enquiry.

Why would Petrov want assurances? Well, Villa face the prospect of heading into the new campaign without two of their key players: Laursen and Gareth Barry.

The speculation about who will replace Laursen has already started.

Clearly Villa need a new commanding centre-back regardless of Laursen carrying on or not.

Joleon Lescott anyone? Boyhood Villa supporter.

But at £10 million. Fat chance. He's only one year into a four year contract. And would he swap Everton, sixth in the Premier and in the FA Cup Final, for Villa in fifth? Possibly, but unlikely.

More likely I'd have thought Martin O'Neill might be looking at Fulham's Brede Hangeland who has two years left on his contract and has been pulling up trees this season.

As for those awards Petrov will more than likely walk the supporters vote unless there is a late swing for Laursen on the grounds that he may have left the game by then. We should know within 24 hours on that one.

My vote would go for Gareth Barry as Player of the Season. I think the only reason he won't get it this year is because of all the nonesense of last summer and because I feel he gets judged on higher expectations than everybody else.

Another strong contender would be Luke Young. Consistently fine throughout the season, left or right.

Ashley Young and John Carew are worth a mention. Young is a match-winner but can do so much more. And Carew? He started the season strongly before he got that whiff of a stiletto heel before the Ajax game. He's doing well at the tail end now (tail end of the season not the heel).

As for Players' Player? Difficult to call who the dressing room will go for but Barry must be favourite ahead of Petrov, Ashley Young, Luke Young and Laursen.

Goal of the Season? Easy. Ashley Young's winner in stoppage time at Everton. The stuff of dreams. Carew's against Stoke is also worthy of mention, as is Gabby Agbonlahor's at Arsenal.

Young Player? Even easier. Ashley Young by a country mile. Agbonlahor did really well up to February at Blackburn, really well indeed. But Young should walk it.

Anyway, Tuesday 12th May at the New Bingley Hall rather than Villa's Holte Suite is where the action takes place.

If only there were awards for worst player, worst performance, worst trainer, worst dresser, worst haircut just to spice things up a bit.

As for Hell's Kitchen. Please get rid of Anthea.