Well with no game until Monday and basking in the glow of Ireland’s Euro qualification, I’ve been in a mostly happy place this week. You see that’s how I am. But rather than focus on the game, or AM, or the board I found myself considering what players would make up my favourite ever Aston Villa team. Given my, ahem, relative youth at 35, I have included only players that I can really remember watching. Say from about ‘86 forward.
When selecting the squad I was torn on a few head-over-heart matters. Was I creating, in my opinion, best Villa team, or the team of my favourite players? So decided I would go with the former and give my best team—compromised a little by having some of my favourite players on the bench. Maybe you will agree with my selections or maybe you have alternatives in mind. Feel free to share. Perhaps some more senior players have been your favorites down the years and I’d love to hear more about these players, too.
Goalkeeper: Mark Bosnich My favourite ever player and, for me, the best goalkeeper we’ve had. His epic shootout display against Tranmere is the enduring memory but I could cite a thousand examples. The Aussie was everything I could wish for in a keeper. Arrogant, brash and an extremely confident character (no marching powder jokes, please) he had bags of ability. At the height of his powers he was arguably the best shot-stopper in the league, if not further afield, and he won two League Cups during his time in B6. I was gutted the day he left us for United, absolutely gutted. Bossie’s star never shone so bright as it did with us, and the big move never paid off. A subsequent move to Chelsea didn’t work out and eventually led to his dismissal. Bossie you’re my hero—thanks for everything, buddy.
Right-Back: Earl Barrett A very under-rated player I felt despite winning national team caps. I thought Barrett was a great right back. If anything, he was perhaps little before his time. His athletic build and energy would probably be better suited to today’s game. Barrett was a pacy, strong type who could attack but was equally adept at defending—which is a wonderfully odd thing to find these days. He was part of the League Cup success of ’95 in a team that I had high hopes for. I really should learn.
Left-Back: Steve Staunton Very stylish Irish left-back who had a venomous yet cultured left foot. Well, I had to say cultured—it’s how people already describe lefties isn’t it? A very reliable type, he was up and down the line all day long. Played for Villa twice, re-joining the club in 2000 having played eight years in his first spell. Won 102 caps for his country but failed to impress in the manager’s role. Indeed, he was never the man for the job and appointed by a penny-pinching FA. I’ll never forget his goal at Old Trafford all those years ago. As sweet a strike as you like, the ball arrowed into the top corner. League Cup winner in both his spells with us.
Centre-Back: Paul McGrath There’s little original I can add to the plaudits of a man who arguably is our greatest-ever player—certainly the best I ever saw. McGrath was as good a centre-half as any, and I include those revered in footballing circles. He was an absolute steal at £450K. Ferguson appeared more concerned with breaking up the drinking culture that existed at the club and sure, we all know big Paul liked a Guinness or two. And you see that was part of his charm. The man could barely train and yet for me, he was one of the best players in his position in the world. Capped 89 times by Ireland, he gave the single-best performance I’ve ever seen by a defender in the 1-0 win over Italy in New Jersey. Somewhat True Story: I met him recently at the Armenia game. He was selling his CDs, he sings now. Couldn’t refuse when the big man approached, and asked for a pic. He was well chuffed. ‘God’ pretty much sums the man up.
Centre-Back: Ohhh, now this was tough but I’m just gonna give it to Martin Laursen. Laursen was desperately unlucky with injury in his time with us but he was a class act when fit. There’s something about Scandanavian CBs and Villa. Kent Neilsen was first, then Mellberg, and then Laursen. Part of me thinks we really ought to get another, if only we could, in Simon Kjaer. The thing with all three is that they were big, tall, physical players, but this is were Laursen gets the nod. I just thought he add a bit extra. He had a little more refinement and class on the ball and beside McGrath…well it’s merely the stuff of dreams I’m afraid. The Dane was also a model professional and endeared himself to the fans (as did the others in fairness: Mellberg will forever be a Villa legend). But with McGrath nailed on there’s only one place, and so Laursen gets in for me.
LM: Ashley Young This may rile some but that’s not the intention. I really feel Ash was as good a winger as we’ve seen in a while down B6. A genuinely exciting, direct player, our main man and biggest threat. I don’t begrudge the move, however, and I wish the player all the best. Young is hard working and was never scared to do his share of defensive duties. But it was going forward were he posed the greatest threat and in full flight he’s a very good player and could electrify. Done his best work under O’Neill and the win at Goodison is the highlight for me, when Ash stole in late and ran the sideline celebrating. An England regular he will improve at United. But he needs to make sure not to get distracted in the glitzy world of ‘super club’ football.
CM: David Platt A fairly easy pick for me here. I really liked Platt as a player and I thought he would go onto bigger things. Most football fans’ memory will probably be England-related after his dramatic over-the-shoulder volley against Belgium at WC’90. Something practiced in every street and playing field up and down the country. It catapulted him to stardom and a big money move to Bari beckoned. Platt actually deserves credit for his spell in Italy. Not the highest-profile export at the time, maybe it was easier to settle at a club like Bari, away from the mass media and spotlight. He would later play for Juventus and Arsenal among others and was a model professional. Never gave a problem on or off the field.
CM: Gordon Cowans A great player, Cowans actually had three spells with the club spanning 18 years. It was his first spell which stands out. Cowans was a member of the team which has been most successful in recent memory. A League Cup, European Cup, European Super Cup, and a League title all from a fantastic period in the club’s history. Cowan’s also had personal recognition when being named Young Player of the Year in his breakthrough years. A little nomadic in his later career, Villa is always “home” and he is now a member of the coaching staff. Cowans probably never got the international recognition he deserved and his 10 caps is paltry given his talent. Maybe it was his slight frame: it certainly wasn’t his ability.
RM: James Milner Ahhh, Jimmy is one of my favorite players of recent years and is an easy pick. He is the one player more than any other that I’m sad we lost in recent years. You see, Jimmy is a great midfielder whether it be central, advanced, or out on the wing. And he can defend and track back all day long, too. I thought he was easily our best player during his time here and I loved his work-rate and willingness. A scorer of some cracking goals, it was no surprise Manchester City came in and I don’t blame the player for moving. I thought he was dignified and professional in his exit. The goal that sunny August against west Ham typified the manner. A decent all-round bloke I’d imagine and a certain starter in my team.
CF: Dwight Yorke With an array of talent as wide as his smile, Yorke was a very silky player indeed and another easy pick for me. I remember him leaving United fans asking me what I thought of him and even if he was really any good. I assured them they were signing a great player and someone who importantly had room to improve at Old Trafford. £12M was the price—he’d be worth an awful lot more now. Yorke was a prolific scorer and had something extra in his locker, too. He was creative and played with a smile on his face. He was a genuinely exciting player despite a sometimes languid gait. He could see a pass or do something magical that you didn’t expect and that’s what fans enjoy. They want to be entertained, they want to be watching great footballers, and in terms of the Premier League, Yorke is a great footballer.
CF: Dean Saunders Ohhhh this was so close. Literally a coin-toss between Saunders and Darren Bent. I just favour the Welshman’s mobility. Bent may have the better goals-per-game ratio but Saunders always put in a shift and gave his all. He was also a decent scorer of goals and had quick bursts of pace and plenty of power when shooting. I remember particularly the game versus Liverpool, at Villa Park (the game famous for Ronny Rosenthal’s shocker). Sportsnight was on, so a Wednesday night, and they ran an interview with Torben Piechnik. When asked how he planned to stop Dean Saunders (on what would be Piechnik’s debut), the lumbering Dane replied, “Who’s Dean Saunders?” He sure knew who he was by 5PM on the Saturday. Saunders, against his former club, ran him a merry dance a notched a brace that day.
Manager: Ron Atkinson Remember when football managers were like Big Ron? Seems a lifetime ago now and characters such as Ron are what’s missing from today’s game. Charismatic, perma-tanned, a lover of all things flash was Big Ron, and he could spot a diamond or two in the rough as a manager also. This was the man who unearthed Dwight Yorke and signed Bossie. A manager who set up his team to attack and play good football—something we’ve starved of pretty much since. Ron had a big “showtime” feel to him. A larger-than-life character, he was almost a parody of a manager and is well known for famous commentary faux-pas. Managed to lead us to League Cup glory against United at Wembley. Ahhh, what memories. I’m willing to overlook his subsequent sacking as it’s the happy memories I’m covering today.
Subs:
GK – Shay Given
DF – Olof Mellberg, Stuart Gray (guilty pleasure—one of my favourite players back in the day and gets in for that alone)
MD – Gareth Barry (yes I know, sorry, but I liked him when he was with us), Tony Daley (see Stuart Gray)
CF – Darren Bent, John Carew (see Stuart Gray)
If Ron should leave then wee Marty would be my manager—another one of my personal favourites despite everything. It was good when it was good and there’s no denying it. It didn’t work—c’est la vie. But under O’Neill was the closest we’ve come in many a year and I can’t help but like him.
So that’s the team. Be interesting to see how it compares with your own. It would be some team, all things being equal, even today. Maybe you want to go the other route and select a Villa worst XI and I’d love to see those, too. I could probably fill three teams.
I am sure Matt and the guys will have a game preview over the weekend and let’s hope we can get a result at Tottenham, Monday night. Up the Mighty Villa!!! And all that.
The Author
