It's become a cliche that Manchester United treat Villa Park as a home away from home given one, their recent dominance against Aston Villa there and two, it has played host to FA Cup semifinals that United have often times won. It's time for a trip down memory lane before Saturday's big United-Villa match, back when United trailed Villa 2-nil deep into an FA Cup 3rd round game back in 2002. Villa were in for a Ruud awakening after that...

The last international friendly break wrought injury havoc upon some of the Premiership's top fantasy players. This time around, the injuries came to light before the mid-week friendlies, including several high-profile scratches for England before their Wednesday friendly against Germany. Game-time decisions will be the order of the weekend and this week, I'll guide you on which players you should stick through thick and thin here...and which players you're better suited in passing up. Let's have it:

Week 14 Fixtures

I'm a bit late on posting the rankings and as usual, there were some noticeable changes, but nothing too drastic. Somehow, I couldn't resist putting Nicolas Anelka into the top 3 and it's justified. Enjoy.

Week 13 Top 50 Fantasy Premiership Rankings:

Francisco Rodriguez is a great closer, there's no question about that, but there are already a ton of miles on his shoulder, and some teams may be shying away from the guy because of that. At the minimum they would like to drop his value a tad before signing.

So the "drop in velocity" rumors have started making the rounds, so much so that his agent has had to come out and defend the guy, in arguably his greatest season yet.

The Mets are of course the heavy favorite for Rodriguez's services, and their was even a story from a Venezuelan newspaper yesterday, that Francisco Rodriguez wass on his way to New York for a physical exam, in advance of signing a contract with the Mets. But a person within the Mets organization tonight said "it's not true."

Give it a week or two. He will be a Met.

I just heard about this $10,000 Blogging Scholarship being offered, and couldn't help but think 'what a cool idea'. What a great way to reward a few of the good guys out there. Apparently it has been going on for a bit, but hey, it is never to late to vote.

So of course I want to put in my official recommendation, and no I am not nominating myself.

Many people here may not know who Dave Cameron is at first glance, unless of course you frequent USS Mariner. I unfortunately do not. I am a padre fan after all.

But I do frequent Fan Graphs regularly, and I know that Dave Cameron is one of the excellent bloggers that they have as part of their team. I have linked to Dave Cameron's work many, many times here at RDB, and I can honestly say he and his brethren have been part of my daily reading for months. I have five MUST reads every day, and Graphs is one of them.

Dave Cameron is one of those good guys.

The work they are doing over at Fan Graphs is insane, and I encourage every baseball fan to bookmark their link. Heck, all the player links you see around here, that is Fan Graphs.

Please vote for Dave Cameron

It didn't take quantum physics to figure out that Chelsea would drop the hammer at West Brom, Manchester United to do the business against Stoke, and for Arsenal's title challenge to once again teeter on the brink. Meanwhile, yours truly can't see any solace in how atrocious Quantum of Solace was.

What is it with the Dodgers and ballplayers in their decline phase? I thought they brought in Joe Torre because he was supposed to be kid friendly. Yet the front office keeps bringing in free agents, way, way, way, past their prime.

Friggin Colletti, spreading the Sabean play book around is what it is. When is that thing hitting the New York Times Best Sellers list. ..

"45 year old Ballplayers, the New Market Inefficiency".

the latest on employee #44.

Union Tribune Young still in shock over the possibility of Hoffman leaving

Jake Peavy was in Puerto Rico last week with Hoffman, Young and several other ballplayer friends, including the Brewers' Ryan Braun and the Yankees' Derek Jeter. Another friend called Peavy to ask if he had heard that Peavy soon might be dealt to the Braves.
Peavy's response left one person present to conclude that Peavy, whose consent is needed for a trade, will not be going to Atlanta anytime soon, even if the Padres and Braves were to agree to a trade.
“I think he wants to go to Chicago,” the friend said.

The way this front office is treating a San Diego legend is disgraceful. Props to you guys, for pissing off 95% of your fanbase, and alienating your greatest asset.

I think what they should do is give themselves promotions. and raises.

no way in hell the padres are “BETTER” because of this crap ..

fools

ESPN Trevor Hoffman still miffed by treatment from San Diego Padres

"You don't really want to deal with people who handle their business that way... To come home and to hear the comments, and hear how they're spinning lies to do damage control, I feel like I have to stand up and set the record straight a little bit, and say how things happened."

I know I'm a bit early in publishing this, but as it turns out, Friday is going to be a hectic one and the highlight of the day is the widespread release of Quantum of Solace. As a die-hard Bond fan, I can't wait, having enjoyed Casino Royale and judging from the trailer, there seems to be more eye-popping action in Quantum of Solace than there was in the previous Bond flick. Not sure about you, but I'm also chomping at the bit for the weekend to see Manchester United earn redemption when Stoke visit Old Trafford and another week of fantasy

I am sorry Kevin, you don't get that choice. You have a number of fans that you are accountable to.
this is unacceptable.

SD Union Tribune Organization pulls Hoffman contract offer from the table

Asked if he made the withdrawal at Moores' request, Towers said, "No comment."
Towers added: "I really don't want to get into anything other than we withdrew the offer."

Something has to give.
This gives the Washington Nationals an outfield of Lastings Milledge, Josh Willingham, Elijah Dukes, Wily Mo Pena and Austin Kearns, for only three starting spots. The Nat's also have two first basemen under contract, so I doubt that is the answer. No way Jim Bowden puts Willingham back behind the plate, right?

Bowden must have another trade in the works. he's gotta

Wow .. Who saw this one coming?

Do the Oakland A's really think that they are going to compete with the Angels in 2009? They shipped off their entire pitching staff, and a year later, the team owner increases payroll, and says "I want to compete" .. what a fool.

SI.com Oakland A's acquired Holliday from the Colorado Rockies

The A's have acquired star outfielder Matt Holiday from the Colorado Rockies, SI.com has learned. It isn't known yet which players will be sent to Oakland in the surprise deal. Holliday will have a physical on Tuesday. Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd called Holliday on Monday to give him the news.

As usual, there were some blow-ups to be had in the top 50, with a few of the weekend's two-goal scorers receiving big boosts.

Week 12 Top 50 Premiership Rankings:

It looks like i have all the standings in, but i am missing the reporting of a few league champions. I am sure i will get those in the coming days. This is the final overall standings sorted by win percentage, and wins. Basically your overall ranking this year.