Where once alchemy was regarded as the means towards the creation of gold, the invention of football generated a new means of obtaining gold: the football hero!
Yes, for one game at least, Gabby has achieved cult status with his near-cameo appearance and the destruction of the auld ‘enemy’. In a game where mediocre was the operative description of the faire until his appearance on the pitch, Gabby’s clear sense of the occasion blew all negativity away as he came on to apply his interpretation of ‘Veni, Vidi, Vici’.
I wonder just how many players have achieved such a hero’s welcome and responded so well, sweeping the ball home in deft style – though it has to be admitted he could hardly have missed.
I can recall only one other player who came on for Villa as a substitute and had a near equal effect. That player was Bruce Rioch, who came on way back in 1973-74 in a match that was equally mediocre, and one that Villa were losing (at home) by one goal. His appearance also raised the hope of the fans, though possibly in a less demonstrative way back then, just as a free kick had been given on the edge of the opponent’s penalty area at the Holte End. And of course, Rioch was assigned to take it, and smashed it home with aplomb for possibly the only worthwhile event of the match. Rioch was immediately made King of Villa Park!
Apart from these two instances, I cannot think of anything exactly comparable, but there were two matches – both in season 1960-61 – when two individual players made a totally unexpected impact. The first was in another derby against Small Heath, when a new boy made his debut: one Alan O’Neill. Just signed from Sunderland as an inside-forward to add more lustre to Villa’s attack, he scored inside 60 seconds. And he went on to score another in a 6-2 win over the auld enemy. Even Gerry Hitchens’ hat-trick that day was overshadowed by O’Neill’s achievement in front of a massive crowd!
The second ‘big impact’ match that season was the very last match against the Wednesday, who had finished as league runners-up that season with quite a talented side. For this match, Villa brought back the legendary Johnny Dixon for his last first team appearance. Villa won 4-1 that day and the 37-year-old scored a classic goal from a through ball and broke his nose in the process, just as he had in his very first Villa match 16 years before! After his goal, Johnny was cheered back to the centre circle with great feeling by the Villa fans. The Birmingham press hailed that Villa team as being the best on view at Villa Park that season and noted Johnny’s huge contribution.
The game of football these days may be nearly all about results and money, but without golden moments such as these, I wonder how long football would last. When I think back, it was the hope of seeing the unexpected that was my main motivation for going to watch the match. Yes, in times gone by with players like Peter McParland and Stan Lynn in the side, you felt sure that something would spark one or the other to do something memorable, as ‘SuperMac’ did on one occasion. Having done virtually nothing all match, he suddenly got the ball on the halfway line and literally drove through the opposing defence with they not knowing what he was going to do next. They soon realised after the ball had left his foot from 20 yards, and were picking the ball out of the net. Joe Mercer (the manager) had been shouting at Peter to “get rid of it, you twat!” but was left embarrassed once Peter had scored!
And the time when “Stan the Wham” scored a goal by dribbling through the entire opposition defence (including the keeper) before just tapping the ball into the empty net. And Tony Hateley, who scored four goals in a match that had seen Villa pull back a 5-1 half-time deficit to 5-5 at White Hart Lane, with Alan Deakin seeing his shot cleared off the line in the last minute.
There were times such as when Villa were losing 4-0 against Liverpool with 20 minutes to go and brought the match level at 4-4 in the last minutes – with SuperMac even missing the chance of a winner in the last few seconds! Or the match when Villa put eleven (11) goals past Charlton, and also scored ten goals in their next two matches. And the time when Villa put eight past the England keeper – Gordon Banks. And my father told me of that match in 1948 when Villa were losing 5-1 at half-time to Manchester United, then came back to 5-4 before a Villa shot hit the crossbar! But United scored a sixth very late on.
There’s always the corollary when Villa were subject to an opponent’s hero, such as the time about 15 years ago when van Nistleroy came on for United at a time in the second half when Villa led 2-1 (and should have already made it 3-1). United’s player then – almost single-handedly – stole the game away from Villa, who lost 3-2.
Yes, it’s times like that, when you leave a match with your heart still pumping hard, that you think that watching footie is worthwhile. Or, if you have seen the flick over the head and the subsequent scoring volley dispatched by Brian Little, or the calm but so timely interception by Paul McGrath, that thrill. That, in fact, is how Villa became so popular because they played a game that entertained, via both teamwork and individuality.
So, c’mon Gabby, you’ve revived a lost art: please give us some more! And, hopefully, inspire some other Villa players to do the same. Jack Grealish: take note!
The Author
John Lerwill
I'm a Villan of more than 60 years standing and an occasional writer on Villa history. For me there is only one football club worth supporting, but I am now wondering whether I will again see anything like the pageant that was paraded under Ron Saunders or even that by Big Ron and Brian Little. My glass, however, is always half-full! Click here for my Villa website.Comments 56
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Jack coming good would be like a new signing 😉
Good write-up, JL…
Would be a wonderful feeling believing we could come back from 3 or 4 down to make a game of it. That indeed, is entertainment.
Gabby included in an article that mentions some of the greats of AVFC, those greats did it consistently over a period of time and yet Gabby for a single goal appears to be inducted into the hall of fame.
I know you like him JL and I know you place some truck with the idea that poor old Gabby was mis-managed and played out of position, more sinned against than sinning but for the love of all that is Paul McGrath, he’s being missing for two years and prior to that he’s failed to contribute as a forward player consistently given you pulled me up on calling him a striker which was correct of you to do because he’s no striker.
Sorry for all the love I have reading about your knowledge of Villa history, the thought that Gabby could ever be equated with heroism leaves me just a little bit sick. Heroism could have been crucial goals to save us from relegation or crucial goals in Jan when Kodija was on holidays as opposed to sticking his foot out 3 yards from goal in a game that meant nothing league wise but everything to people who consider Small Heath worth worrying about.
Thanks jl some good new memories for me 🙂
You may have hit the nail on the head, what will remain memorable from this season? One or many of kodjia efforts or jack Grealish’s couple of stunners, it won’t be the drab boring football that’s for sure.
Indeed what was memorable from last season? A great goal from goal from Gil and Ayew too, oh yeah a relegation.
I think I’d like us play in a way that produces more moments like that, nobody remembers a great block and can’t think of a good save either.
Darren,
Ahem … the article was about how Gabby may have been responsible for bringing back the hero in Villa football … an item that’s been missing for a long time now, though John Carew certainly had a following.
My article was not intended to be misconstrued: the article was in no way liking Gabby to Little or McGrath or any ‘great … just simply the first player who is seen as a hero for quite a long time. I am just waiting for players like Jack to take heed that passion is important in football if it’s going to succeed.
All this talk about Gabby being offered a contract makes me wonder on what our strategy for next season is, especially for our frontline. If we are really pursuing Tammy Abraham, is that as a replacement for Kodja? Else do we really need Tammy plus RMC (nobody is going to take him in the current state). Then RHM and Gabby, with most of them on expensive wages and transfer fees.
Like Mark has been saying, shouldnt we be focusing on building partnerships between mid and the front, rather than adding more firepower?
Jl- perhaps gabby is following the modern trend of the anti hero 😉
Villalore- seems at villa we have a trend of looking at defence mid and attack in isolation
MK – We definitely play with the defence mid & attack in isolation.
I think it would be better for Gabby but even more for Villa if Gabby left this season.
If he stays he will lose a lot more respect in my humble.
Villalore – we definitely need to learn how to attack together as a team, & not just defend with no link between the midfield & the strikers, who more often than not are on the wing.
IanG – Why do all managers from Lambert to SB have such an aversion for wingers. Albrighton may have left for more money but maybe also that he wasnt a preferred choice. Green must be feeling the same right about now. And I’m beginning to worry that the pre season will not change much (or enough as JL optimistically predicts).
Ian-G- exactly what that Brum supporter said in the sauna but I was to scared to say 😉
It’s nice to see a win over them “you know, those who’s names should never be mentioned” but Gabby a hero for scoring one my dead gran couldn’t have missed just makes me laugh. Where I work we have several departments that if we cut managers out of the loop can work together and get crap done, however management always seem to build walls between us. I see that in the villa this season, the defense has to get the ball over a wall for the mid-field, won in turn have to get it over the wall to the forward line, absolutely no fluidity to our movement. It’s like the coaches are not letting them sort it out them selves they are stuck to plane A and don’t you dare budge from that. Our head office lost power just before midnight last night, and one of the UPS’s didn’t hold the load and we lost all of our IT equipment, 11 hours later and they still have stuff off and are all following the managers who are running round like headless chickens. The last time this happened they were all away at one of those resort team building weeks, we had a bigger outage and had it all back on by 8am. What I’m trying to say is that the players are professionals and should be trusted to have some input and imagination on the field and not be held back by strict scripts which are based on not losing rather that going out and winning. I believe that was what RDM was trying, now wouldn’t it be interesting to have two coaches like in that funny football game they have over here, one for the defense and one for the forward line. Bruce and RDM could be a perfect balance, we certainly don’t have any balance at present. if Bruce is our Cloughie, then we still need a Taylor and Calderwood isn’t it for me!!!
VillaLore – its the modern obsession with the attacking full back, i remember when you had both and they worked in tandem
Canadian Villan – you can’t say that mate it takes years to build a side especially if you buy good footballers 😉
Well our ‘attacking full backs’ of Amavi and Hutton have a total of 2 assists and 0 goals for the season, so I guess we should stick with them…
Villalore- remember the last time we had one in Walker on loan? since then its been the most crippling tactic a defensively inept side could use
Everytime I see him play for Tottenham, I sigh. In fact, nothing depresses me more than Tottenham because they got it right (not an aberration like Leicester) and we did everything wrong since that season.
Villalore – pretty much mate, they might have to start paying top dollar to keep players though and that might prove to much unlike Southampton who keep churning them out.
Villalore,
Leicester – an aberration? Well, they won the league and Spurs haven’t.
I don’t understand your comment … they got to the QF of the European Champs and have recovered their PL status in quite good style. They’ve done what Villa did between 1980 and 1983.
While Spurs impress against lesser sides, I’m not so sure about them – Chelsea showed up their shortcomings in the semi last week and look ready to brush off Spurs try for the top spot.
Mk
What were you doing in that sauna??
IanG- your thoughts give you away sir, I was sweating
Villalore
Green is injured & hasn’t been selected because of that.
He also knows how to defend, as does Adomah.
Then maybe the fullbacks can improve.
We know we can defend now, & it’s about time the obsession with defending changes to us attacking & defending as a team.
But we need the midfield functioning all the time, not just when we’re on top.
Then the obsession with talisman strikers can dissolve into who’s playing together best with ammunition.
Better than obsessing over Gabby.
MK
My thoughts?
I had a blank mate
Canadian Villan
Absolutely mate, Calderwood seems to have sorted the defence out but it needs someone else to connect the team up so they can “express themselves” which I believe is the current phrase, as it isn’t working as it is.
Villalore
Nothing depresses me more than tottyham full stop.
ian g
our defence sorted out?
when we start letting our players over halfway line it will show if it can stand the test
Ian G
Agree that best if Gabby goes. An expensive very part time player. A luxury. Even Jack has scored more this season.
Alan Hutton is more a hero than Gabby.
just had an Idea when I heard about Joey Bartons 18 month ban for Gambling, why don’t we get out lot to put all their wages on themselves winning each week? if that doesn’t do the trick nothing will.
JG
You missed the word ‘seemed’ – to have sorted out the defence…
We’re saying the same thing in different ways mate.
JG
Sorry mixing up replies, but we are all more or less saying the same thing about that
Bruce should just tell them to go out against Blackburn and give it death.
Go out and express yourselves.
Hi JL
“the article was about how Gabby may have been responsible for bringing back the hero in Villa football”
That may say something more about how little Villa fans have to cheer about in terms of on the pitch than Gabby being any sort of hero at all. Villa fans have to latch onto something given how deep a mire we’ve been in. Unfortunately for me, the hero worship couldn’t have fallen onto a more undeserving Villa player.
So many Facebook warriors have become too quick to write off every indiscretion for the sake of a single toe poke against Small Heath. A more mature reflect on Gabby’s contribution to Villa would surely show that he is unworthy of any such accolade.
Anyway onwards to Blackburn and three points, please. Couldn’t care less about Small Heath or Blackburn for that matter and whether they are relegated or not. IF we progress next season as has been suggested or better put as is required then it will surely mean six points or failing that it will mean the gap between us and them is widened further.
Darren
Good point. The accolades for Gabby probably do reflect how poor things have got. Wish him well. Think Villa is stuck with him.
Darren: “A more mature reflect on Gabby’s contribution to Villa would surely show that he is unworthy of any such accolade.”
I am disappointed with that comment, Darren. It’s the personal inference there of what is ‘mature’.
For me, maturity is partly about learning how to forgive and tolerate.
Apologies JL, I was entirely referring to the Facebook warriors within that paragraph where I’ve seen comments such as ‘where are the Gabby haters now?’ as if there is some required justification of what is plainly obvious that Gabby cared enough about Villa to allow himself to get entirely unfit and was subject to a number of attempts by various managers to go on some variation of crash course fitness classes as evidence of the level of care he had for the club.
As to your own maturity, I’ve never doubted it and without knowing you, your words tell me that. So I’ll withdraw any unintended association.
I will still relay my displeasure that Gabby should be the one associated with any form of hero worship, at least Delph was open in his actions about being a snake, Gabby has just played on the fact he’s a Brummie lad who’s passionate about Villa but I don’t see the evidence and is far bigger snake than Delph ever was in my book.
JL – Leicester’s rise was and is an aberration as they have oscillated between both ends of the table in three seasons. I dont deny they have a good team but so do so many others, so what else can we call their win last year? Compare that with Tottenham who seem to have a stable system for the mangers, choice of players,etc.
Its debatable on which Villa would prefer to be – An exciting team with a PL win out of nowhere with frequent ups and downs or an always miss but stable team with CL football. For me its the latter as i feel the the PL win eventually come.
Spurs are doing everything right, only media pressure from now will require Spurs to collect a trophy to evidence their upturn, their gradual increase in the standard of player and manager over many seasons and not least the financial clout the sale of Bale gave has seen them join the list of true challengers for the league.
There is much to be admired in the way they play and the players they’ve both produced and bought, especially when you consider the likes of Kane and Alli still have loads to learn about the game, Eriksen could walk into the Barcelona side.
If Villa want a team to emulate it’s Spurs as opposed to anyone else. In terms of Leicester, there was much to be admired in their prem winning season in terms of commonality of purpose, huge work rate and a simple/effective way of playing the game, the fairytale did however overshadow most other traditional challengers self- implosions, Leicester weren’t truly challenged for the league.
IF we get the groundwork right as it appears to be happening with Round (and more should be made of this publically to Villans than focussing on the first team) then IF we get promoted next season, then the timeframe to emulate Spurs could fall within Dr.T’s suggested aim but it’s asking a lot and will require huge investment.
Darren
spot on about spurs
I think they are fantastic. young, English core, can grind a result if needed. best def record, can press and play good footy when needed. can do it all.
only little thing they need is a bit of lighting pace. they wanted mane but are in for zaha which would be a great signing for them.
Darren
you touch upon the work round is doing and behind the scenes work. defo should be highlighted more. long term we are in very good hands as a club. heads of recruitment, scouts, young players being signed are all happening which we don’t hear about.
brand new player lounge too just opened.
bruce saying he wants a busy summer! I wonder if that’s outgoings as keith and bruce has said it will be quiet!!
think a cb, winger and st are defos.
Darren,
OK, we’d better kiss and make up, then! 😀
If in the future, should someone do my family tree generations from now and research moves from traditional census and birth records to online imprint, the above will go down as very confusing for any descendant of mine.
For clarity sakes, this is a rhetorical kiss and make up 🙂
Well Gabby’s hardly mature.
JL – we have forgiven, forgotten time & time again & then remembered the obscene amount of money that is wasted on Gabby for years, & has been for a considerable time, to the detriment of the club & the frustration of the fans who would like nothing better than to support him in fulfilling his talent.
Unfortunately in the past few years he has very much denigrated the club & the fans, & much of what DOR wrote was not emotive, merely accurate.
I personally suspect that it will be academic as he will either break down injured at crucial times [as usual] & apart from flashes he will not do much [he considers himself a striker].
The the contract offer will either be non existent or a one year offer, as Bruce whatever his talents as a manger is not a complete idiot, & neither is Round.
For me he left a long time ago & Villa have been very good to him to give him his swan song.
AV legend? Not for me as it’s an insult to a lot better & more loyal players of the past.
But we wish him well – why not…
if gabby can have an effect on the 1st team and be productive without getting in the way of rhm rise then whatever.
id rather see him leave and I don’t class him as a hero.
cuellar went down as a cult hero too but I never thought him as one.
Andrew
Cuellar always played in & out of position whenever asked & always put a shift in for the villa.
He was a proper professional, but not a cult hero, no.
I’m also bored with the non stop Gabby nonsense usually wound up by the media.
If he’s being paid then if required he plays & hopefully is productive.
Scoring goals is his well paid job, not a biannual event.
This is the last time I’ll mention the name hopefully.
IanG: “Unfortunately in the past few years he has very much denigrated the club & the fans, & much of what DOR wrote was not emotive, merely accurate.”
In your opinion, sir! 😀
I have my view on that – you, Darren and others have yours. No matter, but I don’t see this (nor life itself) in black and white terms.
I think y’all will be pleased with this article…
http://7500toholte.sbnation.com/2017/4/27/15448554/gabby-agbonlahor-villa-legend-or-colossal-disappointment
Well, it’s as I said, one view that is shared by many. But does it really reflect what has been going with Gabby at VP this last 5 or so years? That period coincides with the most awful management processes this club has ever known, so it is most unwise – *in my opinion* – to draw such conclusions about Gabby without taking into account all at VP.
And the key matter is that (whether it was just in one match or not) it was Gabby that showed the rest of the team the ingredient that was needed to get the points and to deal with Small Heath.
Who knows – that one act of his might just have rubbed off on a few other Villa players. They might – might – just get the message of what attitude is needed. And if he’s achieved that then he’s done a great service to AVFC.
JL
No neither do we see it in black & white, at least in claret & blue if not full colour!
Every one on here has a different opinion, maybe if you’d express/explain it more clearly as it practically applies to my & other’s concerns & not just in principles, then we may find that there is more that we agree on than you think.
I have no animosity to him personally as everyone is flawed, just that he has in later times been a fraud for a lot of money that also comes out of fan’s pockets, which has to be part of the view.
None of us I think fall for the media cult of famous personality, but despite how we can view through other windows, black still appears as black & white still appears as white even if all the colours are still there in the spectrum.
What I say is that simply he doesn’t deserve another contract with the club because he is not good enough, as he has not reached anywhere near where his talent could have gone because he has wasted it.
I’m sure that many of us can say the same thing about ourselves, but we possibly don’t glory in it & believe our own propaganda to that extent, & get paid obscene amounts of money, some of which comes from us the fans.
Others have also noted that he regularly has come to the point he is now [with all the polarised opinions] when his contract is coming up for renewal.
I don’t see anything different as yet.
JL
Thanks for the clip, it states more or less what has happened.
Well as everyone at the club suffered the same throughout the time you mention, without all doing what he did, & many at least being honest enough to say it wasn’t for them & leaving, or just not fitting into it & going elsewhere to prosper, his decision coincided with a large contract.
If you contrast him with Hutton for one, who did little wrong, but was treated very badly & still performed for his country when asked, even when he didn’t get a game for the Villa reserves, but has over & over again shown the aptitude this season that you attribute to G once, it doesn’t add up to what you say.
He’s had a swan song denied to many which no one begrudges him, but no more please unless he actually becomes the real deal never mind his limitations..
IanG: “…we may find that there is more that we agree on than you think.”
On this topic it appears not … but that’s opinions for you!
One lucky goal a hero doth not make!! Sorry John, gabby has done nothing to earn another contract, shoot we can all work one day a year and get paid an annual salary, but we wouldn’t get away with it as long as Gabby has now would we. Gabby shouldn’t be mentioned in the same breath as say Carew, and he was not a real hero or legend. Now Sid Cowens, Gary Shaw,
Peter Withe, God, Little and Gray and of course for staying power alone Charlie Aitken are up there to name just a few, but Gabby sorry not even in the same league for me, I know the younger Villa fans have not really had any one to write home about and that’s such a shame, but just goes to show how how pi$$ poor we have been for the past decade doesn’t it.
Thinking hard over the past decade or two, Mellberg and Laursen seem to be the closest, the snake, Milner and Benteke could have been had they stayed around, and i believe Gareth deserves to be recognized up there, he was more than deserving of a big pay off after the years he gave us, but that’s about it for me. Gotta go back to millennium to find any more how could any one deny a player who comes back from a broken neck like Dion, but these guy’s are a very rare breed these days.
Canada,
But I didn’t say *anything* about whether he should get a new contract! 😉
To me that’s not entirely the point. The main issue I’ve been addressing is the kind of example that he *did* set in the Small Heath match. Belated, definitely, but at least he did what he did even if it was his last act before he goes – which it probably wasn’t as he still has a year to go.
That last few years on the pitch has been exemplified by lack of commitment – passion – by most of the team. Gabby reminded us what is needed on Sunday (apart from method), but it is a pity he didn’t look after himself and set that example last year. Perhaps he simply and finally saw the light, and if that’s the case then if he continues in that vein he ***might*** yet do enough to get another contract.
However, even if he does, by then he’ll be 31 and whether he could do enough to earn a place in a PL team is highly debateable.
IanG: “… his decision coincided with a large contract”
Yes, we’re back onto the bad management theme which I’m fond of! 😉
Gabby wasn cossetted and cuddled until it went to his head, and he was weak enough to go with the flow instead of being professional.
Maybe he’s just a weak-minded feller that needs to be led? I think he has been.
JL
As I said there’s not so much difference just which bit we look at.
Bad management maybe,
but Gabby took full advantage of it knowingly.
Most of us have said for years that he has had bad advice.
Then there’s the worldly cynic in me that remembers that he lost a shed load of money a wee while before he realised that he was getting older he had to get his finger out to get a new contract to replace it with a manager who didn’t know his tendencies, & then let us down when he wasn’t the star, & helped get us relegated due to not giving a s***t
Easy to blame bad management but Gabby was totally knowingly culpable.
Due to being a dumdum probably, but I don’t know that that excuse has ever worked for everyone else, as usually they just became casualties.
That’s why I think he abused his good fortune & us with it, sadly for him.
Yes he did the deed at his probable swansong, but as Bruce said, he can’t just train for the derby matches as we need much more than that, & although the door has been left open for him, he probably won’t manage to do what’s necessary to get through it.
He might hang around another season but he wouldn’t last 5 minutes in the PL, & any competent manager would know that as his shenanigans are sadly now well known.
Gabby was on track to be a cult hero…but he blew his end of it, and other circumstances (like injury) conspired against him.
Sadly, it was probably never going to happen because overall he’s just too limited a player. We’ve had his stats up, and he’s never had a season like Kodjia’s, who, if he stays a bit, could actually become a hero. He sort of is already, to be honest. There’s just no ‘accomplishment’ to link to his brief tenure…but if he fires us to promotion next year, even a two-year stint like that would put him in our hearts. Likewise Jedinak, who likely won’t make the cut because of his age, but maybe he does if he moves into the back line and bosses things from there.
The more I think about it, if we find a Milner, then Jedinak makes the back four better, and we get better legs out in front of him. That alone could make a big difference for the club.
Anyway, match preview now up.