O'Neill wins manager awardAston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has been named Barclays Manager of the Month.
The Villains revitalised their European hopes with four victories and a draw from their five matches in the Barclays Premier League during April.
O'Neill's men began the month with a narrow 1-0 victory away at Bolton Wanderers, before returning to home territory to claim a battling 2-2 draw with Everton. Two further wins on the road at Portsmouth and Hull City yielded maximum points.
To cap an April to remember, Villa guaranteed local bragging rights until next season as James Milner's penalty earned a 1-0 victory over rivals Birmingham City at Villa Park, which leaves them in contention for a fourth-placed finish in the Barclays Premier League.
This is the seventh time that O'Neill has won the Barclays Manager of the Month Award in his career, and the fourth since he took the reins at Villa Park after David O'Leary's departure in July 2006.
The decision was made by the Barclays Awards Panel, which includes representatives from football's governing bodies, the media and fans.
http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~2040190,00.html Bale scoops player awardTottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale has been named Barclays Player of the Month for April.
The former Southampton defender produced a series of outstanding attacking performances, helping Spurs remain on course to finish the season in fourth spot in the Barclays Premier League.
The Welsh international's marauding displays on the left flank have impressed many this season.
In April he had his most productive month this season netting the decisive goals in the consecutive 2-1 home successes over north London rivals Arsenal, and title favourites Chelsea, to claim his first strikes of the season. He also set up the equaliser against Manchester United at Old Trafford although Spurs eventually lost the match.
This is the first time that Bale has won the Barclays Player of the Month award since entering the top flight when he transferred to Tottenham from Southampton in May 2007. He also becomes the first Welshman to scoop the prize since Ryan Giggs in February 2007.
The decision was made by the Barclays Awards Panel, which includes representatives from football's governing bodies, the media and fans.
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