Villa open Weimann talks

Villa open Weimann talks

Published Jan. 26, 2013 7:15 a.m. ET

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced the FA are picking on him as he waits to hear if he will face any punishment for criticising an official.

Ferguson was furious that linesman Simon Beck did not flag for a penalty in United's 1-1 draw with Tottenham, with the Scotsman convinced Steven Caulker fouled Wayne Rooney in the box.

The FA has until Tuesday evening to decide what action, if any, it will take against him but Ferguson feels he receives unfair treatment from English football's governing body.

"I just think it is more about me than what I've said. Whether I think it is unfair or not doesn't matter to them really at this point," he told The Sun.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ferguson has submitted his comments regarding his criticism of assistant Beck to the FA and his focus was on the official's performance rather than suggesting there was any bias against United.

"That is what I have put in my letter exactly. But you know the FA," he added.

"You never know. It is one of these things. We are high profile."

When it was put to Ferguson he may not be charged by the FA, he replied: "I wouldn't bet on it."

Weimann is contracted to Villa until the summer of 2014 and the club are hoping to secure the long-term future of the Austria international.

The 21-year-old broke into the first team last season and scored a vital injury-time winner against Fulham as the midlands club stayed up by only two points.

But it is during the current campaign that he has made a sustained impact and is their second top scorer with nine goals.

Weimann has formed a productive partnership with 11-goal Christian Benteke and the duo have kept record signing Darren Bent out of the side for lengthy periods.

Weimann's form has been one of the few highlights in a dismal season in which Villa are involved in another relegation fight and suffered a double cup exit to lower-league Bradford and Millwall.

His tally includes a double in the 3-2 defeat against Manchester United and another in the 3-1 win at Liverpool.

Villa boss Paul Lambert recently described Weimann as a "natural finisher."

He said: "The way Andreas conducts himself on the pitch and in training is excellent.

"He has been really on top of his game and taken his chance in the first team."

Weimann joined Villa as a 16-year-old from Rapid Vienna and had two spells on loan at Watford before before signing a new three-year deal with his parent club in August 2011.

He won his first senior cap for his country against Kazakhstan in October.

share