Salut!

The Easter programme is always a key time in the football season, as a big step is often taken in deciding many of the Championship and relegation issues.

Many teams play two games in three days, although Villa's matches against Everton and Charlton are spread over four, as we play on Saturday and then again on Tuesday. The nice thing is that we still have something to play for. The fact that Arsenal and Liverpool will contest this season's FA Cup final means another UEFA Cup place for next season is certain to go to a team in the league.

That is because Arsenal look sure to qualify for the Champions League, and Liverpool are already in Europe thanks to winning the Worthington Cup.

With our representatives also going well in the Champions League, the European places may go down as far as the team finishing seventh in the Premiership. So everyone at Villa is determined to get as many points as possible from our remaining games, as we believe we have a genuine chance of qualifying for next season's UEFA Cup.

Although the season is long and hard, it keeps you on a high mentally speaking when you still have something to play for.

I don't know what we can do about our often congested programme, but maybe it is time to have a look at it and see why leagues in Europe don't tend to have these problems.

I know that in France, a big factor is the number of teams in the league. We have 20 in the Premiership, whereas they have only 18, and those four less fixtures definitely make things easier.

I was delighted to score that free kick against West Ham. I really enjoyed it and it was nice to give the fans something to celebrate by sticking one in the back of the net. I just had a feeling when we won the free kick that I should take it. So I put the ball down and curled it over the wall and into the top corner.

The games are coming thick and fast, but I prefer to play a game every three days, rather than train, it makes life more exciting and you maintain your match fitness.

We had a few days off before the Easter programme and I popped home to the South of France to spend some time with my family. It really gave me a boost to see the Mediterranean Sea again, and I kept in shape by playing some beach soccer.

Away from football, we had the club's golf day at The Belfry. It was very enjoyable, but the conditions were too wet and muddy for good golf, and I didn't play as well as I know I can.

I enjoyed watching Tiger Woods win the US Masters. He is so good for the sport, and whenever he is in a tournament everyone raises their game and the standard goes up, which is good for the watching fan.

The fact I am in Birmingham has not altered the demands on my time, and I am happy to help out a good cause, as has been the case recently. I recorded a short sketch for the Radio 1 Student Essentials Campaign, in which I played the role of a 'Fantasy French Tutor.'

The campaign is to help listeners preparing for exams with tips on revision and exam techniques. I recorded tips which can be found on my dedicated page on the Essentials website, and on the first day the campaign was the first item on the BBC homepage, as well as main item all week on the Radio1 home page.

Another project I have been involved in is the 'Get Caught Reading Campaign,' for which I was photographed reading The Little Prince. As part of this campaign, you may see my picture on the side of buses all over the country - so mind you do not crash your car looking!

Have a great Easter! !

A bientôt

David Ginola.

Please note that this news section is updated every Friday afternoon

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