Houllier takes charge at Villa
Soccer Betting Lines
09/08/2010 - Birmingham, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Aston Villa confirmed on Wednesday that Gerard Houllier has been hired as the club's new manager.
The 63-year-old Houllier was the technical director of French football, but after stepping down from his position to take the Villa job, he expressed his excitement about this new opportunity.
"I am very happy and proud to join this great and historic club," Houllier told the club's official website. "It was a very difficult decision for me to leave the FFF [French Football Federation] but I could not turn down the opportunity to manage a club whose approach, both on and off the pitch, I have long admired.
"Aston Villa is one of England's biggest clubs and has an amazing set of fans. This is a tremendous challenge and one I am very much looking forward to taking on."
Houllier has previously managed at Lens and PSG before winning a UEFA Cup and FA Cup with Liverpool as well as consecutive Ligue 1 titles with Lyon in 2006 and 2007.
His first game in charge will come Monday at Stoke City as he inherits a team with two wins from its first three games this season.
Arlington, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Dallas Cowboys could be without two key members of their offensive line for the season-opener, as left guard Kyle Kosier and right tackle Marc Colombo both missed practice Wednesday. Colombo was
<< City's Balotelli faces six-week injury absence
Manchester, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Manchester City announced on Wednesday
that new signing Mario Balotelli will undergo knee surgery that could keep him
out for up to six weeks.
Balotelli moved to City from Inter Milan in August, but
<< New Nationwide car running its first short-track race
Richmond, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Series: NASCAR Nationwide. Date: Friday,
September 10. Race: Virginia 529 College Savings 250. Site: Richmond
International Raceway. Track: 0.75-mile oval. Start time: 7:30 p.m. (et).
Laps: 250. Miles: 187.5. 200
<< Biffle, Bowyer looking to clinch last two Chase spots at Richmond
Richmond, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Series: NASCAR Sprint Cup. Date: Saturday,
September 11. Race: Air Guard 400. Site: Richmond International Raceway.
Track:0.75-mile oval. Start time: 7:30 p.m. (et). Laps: 400. Miles: 300. 2009
winner: Denny Haml
<< Djokovic reaches fourth straight U.S. Open semi
Flushing Meadows, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former runner-up Novak Djokovic was
an easy quarterfinal winner Wednesday at the U.S. Open.
The third-seeded Djokovic handled 17th-seeded Frenchman Gael Monfils 7-6
(7-2), 6-1, 6-2 at the USTA Billi
Ashburn, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Washington coach Mike Shanahan wouldn't address rumors surrounding a possible trade of defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and said the veteran will be with the Redskins for Sunday's season opener against Dallas.
Mertesacker to miss at least one week with eye injury >>
Bremen, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Werder Bremen will be without defender Per
Mertesacker for Saturday's Bundesliga match with Bayern Munich as well as the
club's Champions League opener against Tottenham after suffering an eye
injury.
Thome a late scratch vs. Royals >>
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -Jim Thome's climb up the home run charts has been put on hold.The Minnesota Twins designated hitter was a late scratch for the series finale against Kansas City on Thursday night. The team says Thome was scratched for precautionary
Rollins leaves game with tight hamstring >>
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins left the game against the Florida Marlins after the third inning with tightness in his right hamstring.The Phillies said Rollins is day-to-day. Rollins gingerly ran to second base and didn't slide
Ingram back running, still doubtful >>
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) -Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram has not returned to practice for No. 1 Alabama and while Nick Saban said the injured running back is unlikely to play against No. 18 Penn State on Saturday, the coach isn't necessarily countin
Football Betting Lines
The 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds have been released and Denver Broncos' running back Knowshon Moreno has been made the opening favorite.
Moreno was selected in the first round of April's NFL draft and is expected to carry the rushing load for the Broncos this season. And with Jay Cutler now in Chicago, Moreno might be expected to be Denver's entire offense.
Betting Lines from sports betting lines have made Moreno a 5/2 favorite to win this year's Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. Fellow running back Chris “Beanie” Wells (Arizona Cardinals) is right behind Moreno at 7/2, while Donald Brown (Indianapolis Colts) and receiver Michael Crabtree (San Francisco 49ers) are 5/1 to win. Quarterbacks Mark Sanchez (New York Jets) and Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) are 7/1 and 8/1, respectively.
A couple of players who present some value are Josh Freeman, Shonn Green and Darrius Heyward-Bey.
Freeman needs to beat out Byron Leftwich to become the starting quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but if he does, he has a lot or raw talent and could use the weapons around him (i.e. Kellen Winslow Jr. and Antonio Bryant) to be very successful in his first season.
Green enters a crowded backfield in New York, but considering both Thomas Jones and Leon Washington are unhappy about their contract situations and might holdout, the former Iowa product could become the Jets' primary back.
Everyone was shocked when Al Davis took Heyward-Bey with the eighth overall pick in April's draft, but the kid has a tremendous amount of talent and if quarterback JaMarcus Russell takes the next step this year, the former Maryland product could blossom. Plus, Heyward-Bey will be looking to prove the people wrong who said Oakland should have taken Michael Crabtree with the No. 8 pick.
And if you're looking for a deep sleeper, check out Pat White at 30/1. He enters the Miami Dolphins vaunted “Wild Cat” offense and could be a big time playmaker.
For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds, see below.
2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds to Win
Ramses Barden (NYG) 40/1
Andre Brown (NYG) 20/1
Donald Brown (IND) 5/1
Kenny Britt (TEN) 20/1
Glenn Coffee (SFO) 30/1
Chase Coffman (CIN) 50/1
Michael Crabtree (SFO) 5/1
Josh Freeman (TB) 14/1
Shonn Green (NYJ) 14/1
Percy Harvin (MIN) 10/1
Darrius Heyward-Bay (OAK) 18/1
Juaquan Iglesias (CHI) 30/1
Cornelius Ingram (PHI) 50/1
Rashad Jennings (JAC) 30/1
Johnny Knox (CHI) 40/1
Jeremy Maclin (PHI) 18/1
Mohamed Massaquoi (CLE) 30/1
LeSean McCoy (PHI) 12/1
Knowshon Moreno (DEN) 5/2
Hakeem Nicks (NYG) 18/1
Brandon Pettigrew (DET) 30/1
Brian Robiskie (CLE) 20/1
Mark Sanchez (NYJ) 7/1
Matthew Stafford (DET) 8/1
Jason Smith (STL) 40/1
Mike Thomas (JAC) 25/1
Patrick Turner (MIA) 50/1
Mike Wallace (PIT) 50/1
Chris Wells (ARI) 7/2
Pat White (MIA) 30/1
Field (Any Other Player) 9/1
To visit this sports betting site go to BettingExpress.com for all your football betting lines needs.
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