Salut!

I hope you all had a very good Valentine’s Day! I had a wonderful time with my beautiful wife and children, made even nicer by the fact that it was in our home in Sainte-Maxime. John Gregory allowed all players time off from Wednesday until this Monday. It’s a lovely break, although obviously we would rather have still been in with a chance to win something.

We are having splendid weather over here, and I hear it has been very nice in England as well. I have been relaxing, doing a bit of fishing and spending extra time with my children. I have also been swimming quite a bit; still need to work on my body even though I’m away! No rest for the wicked!

It was my birthday just over a couple of weeks ago, and I was amazed that so many people remembered it and took the time to send me birthday cards and presents. I am touched every year when people do remember; it’s really humbling yet uplifting at the same time.

On the football front, I resume training with the lads on Monday. Hopefully after a good rest, as a team we will go from strength to strength, and I urge all the Villa fans to rally behind the club and encourage the team.

I thought Manchester United got an important draw at Valencia on Wednesday. If Alex Ferguson’s team can win the return match next Tuesday at Old Trafford they will seal their qualification from group A. What a result Liverpool got against Roma! I really wish Villa could be in a European competition.

Well, I’m just off for a swim, after which I shall have a nice drink of pastis, just before a game of petanque with my friends. I hope you all have a very pleasant weekend.

A bientôt

David Ginola.

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