Senior Leadership
Danny Wright
Danny has been with Breaking Media for almost a decade, rising to become the company's Head of Editorial. Danny is an expert editor, with a specialist eye on SEO, planning, growth areas, and staff development. Danny graduated from Staffordshire University in 2016, and has previous experience writing for the Birmingham Mail and Macclesfield Town FC. Based in Staffordshire and raised by an Aston Villa-supporting mother, Danny has been key in helping Villa News become an all-encompassing website for supporters to get all the news on the goings on in B6. Danny has been influential in detailing the club's biggest stories in recent years, including the failed tenure of Steven Gerrard, the rise of Unai Emery, qualification for the Champions League, and battles to remain within the parameters of PSR.
Mark Smith
Mark is the second-longest serving member of the Breaking Media team, rising through the ranks from writer to deputy editor. Mark is a highly skilled editor, with a particular expertise in headline writing, and finger on the pulse for trending content that fans love to read about. Mark graduated from Leeds Trinity University in 2018, and is based in Wakefield. He has covered Villa News since it was launched in 2022, documenting with forensic detail the club's rise to perennial Champions League contenders under Unai Emery.
Pete Hanson
Pete Hanson is the Head of Editorial Standards for Villa News as part of the Breaking Media network. With a vast background in sports journalism and data analysis, Pete provides expertise in talent development, strategy planning, and new content strands for all things Aston Villa. Based in Sheffield, Pete has previously worked for PA Media, Sporting News, and Stats Perform, after earning a Masters in Sports Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University.
Daniel Lewis
Daniel Lewis is an Assistant Editor for Villa News as part of the Breaking Media network. With a background in sports journalism, Dan provides expert statistical analysis on Aston Villa – specialising on data deep dives and trending topics. Based in Barry, Dan has previously worked for Sports Mole and Stats Perform after graduating from the University of South Wales.
Villa News Experts
Keith Hackett
We are delighted to welcome Keith Hackett, one of the top 100 referees of all time, as our new columnist. Keith's refereeing career spanned over 19 years as he officiated in the Football League and Premier League and was FIFA listed for 10 years. From FA Cup finals to the European Championships and the from the PGMOL to writing books, it's harder to find anyone who knows more about refereeing than Keith.
Mick Brown
Mick has extensive experience in scouting, recruitment and coaching at some of England's biggest clubs. He spent over a decade at Man United, where he rose to be chief scout, and was also the assistant manager to Ron Atkinson at United and Roy Keane at Sunderland. Mick has also held chief scout or senior scout roles at Tottenham, Blackburn Rovers, Coventry City and Aston Villa, with his most recent role at West Ham coming to an end when David Moyes left the club. He joined the Football Insider team in October 2024 to provide his expert insight.
Villa News Speaking to Bryan King
Bryan King has two periods as a scout at Aston Villa, amounting to 11 years. The former Millwall goalkeeper has also spent lengthy spells of his post-playing career at Everton and Tottenham, where he was instrumental in the signing of Luka Modric. He's now sharing his expertise on the transfer market - as well as other talking points - for Villa News.
Senior Contributors
Max Wilkins
Max is a senior football writer on Villa News as part of the Breaking Media network. With a background in sports journalism, Max's area of expertise is in gaining exclusive content, as well as writing deep-dive statistical analysis. Based in Birmingham, Max has previously worked for GRV Media and Vavel, and gained a degree from the University of Derby in 2023.
Contributors
Declan Carr
Declan Carr is a senior football writer for Villa News as part of the Breaking Media network. With a background in sports journalism, Declan provides expertise in breaking news and long-form analytical content on Aston Villa. Based in Liverpool, Declan has previously worked for Sports Mole and Vavel, after graduating from Liverpool John Moores in 2024 with a Masters in Sports journalism.
Aheed Abrar
Aheed Abrar is a Senior Football Writer for Villa News as part of the Breaking Media network. With a background in sports journalism, Aheed provides expert coverage and exclusive content on all transfer-related topics at Aston Villa. Based in Sheffield, Aheed has previously worked at Milkiyat, Youth Ki Awaaz, and FFO Sports publishing, after gaining a Masters in Sports journalism from Sheffield Hallam University.
Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith is a writer for Villa News as part of the Breaking Media network. With a background in sports journalism, Cameron is an expert on statistical analysis and data deep dives, providing extensive coverage of Aston Villa's style of play. Based in Staffordshire, Cameron has previously worked for Football League World, Bulinews.com, and Vaval, and graduated from Birmingham City University in the summer of 2025.
Daniel Davis
Dan Davis a football writer for Villa News as part of the Breaking Media network. With an extensive background in sports journalism and university lecturing, Dan provides expert coverage in breaking news, transfer stories, and deep-dive data pieces for Aston Villa. Based in Tunbridge Wells, Dan has lengthy experience in the industry having held roles at Reach PLC, GRV Media, and GiveMeSport, after graduating from Bournemouth University in 2019.
Jacob Raw
Jacob Raw is a football writer for Villa News as part of the Breaking Media network. With a background in sports journalism, Jacob provides specialism in long-form opinion and deep-dive content on all the goings on at Aston Villa. Based in Middlesbrough, Jacob has previously worked for the Northern Echo and Durham Cricket Club, after graduation from Teesside University in September 2025.
James Barker
James Barker is a senior writer on Villa News as part of the Breaking Media network. With a background in sports journalism, James provides expertise in statistical analysis and long-form opinion pieces on all the major events at Aston Villa. Based in Durham, James has previously worked for Football League World where he had editing responsibility, having graduated from the University of Sunderland in the summer of 2024.
Josh Edwards
Josh Edwards is a senior football writer for Villa News as part of the Breaking Media network. With a background in sports journalism, Josh provides expert analysis and breaking news of all the major transfers at Aston Villa. Josh is based in Durham, and has previously worked for FanHub and the Sunderland Echo, after graduating from Sunderland University in July 2004.
Richie Mills
Richie Mills is a football writer at Villa News as part of the Breaking Media network. With a background in news and sports journalism, Richie provides valuable expertise in engagement content, and long-form opinion pieces on Aston Villa. Based in London, he has previously worked for the likes of Goal and Wardle Whittell Agency, and gained his sports journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon.
Scott Mason
Scott Mason is a football writer for Villa News as part of the Breaking Media network. With a background in sports journalism, Scott provides expertise in data content, opinion piece, and general news gathering for all the major goings on at Aston Villa. Based in Dubin, Scott previously worked for GamingINTEL and GRV Media, and gained a degree in sports journalism from the University of Wolverhampton in 2022.