Curbs rules himself out of Villa job

Alan Curbishley has apparently ruled himself out of the Villa vacancy on Radio 5. Can't say I blame him: who would want to go and work with Deadly Doug with very little money to spend?

The former Villa player was a favourite among the bookies and the fans, although Martin O'Neill was apparently the club's first choice.

Curbs is apparently enjoying himself too much being free of the grind of day-to-day management. His autobiography will be coming out soon and he can do so some punditry if he wants. In any case he is not short of a bob or two.

Curbs told my wife at the end of season sponsors' dinner that he is a keen fan of egg chasing and hopes to see some Wasps games which his wife has attended regularly.

Deano

Former Charlton keeper Dean Kiely will not be starting the season for Portsmouth after he broke his finger in the warm up for a pre-season friendly against Torquay United.