1958Villan - Vital Villa Interviews 2019

When did you become a Villa fan and why?

Opening home game 1958, is when.

Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather were dyed in the wool fans. Great Grandfather from the day the club was first formed. So I guess you could say it’s in the blood.

What is your favourite Villa moment of all time/most treasured memory?

Lifting the European Cup is the Villa moment of all time. My most treasured memory, among so many, has to be the first time I met Ron Saunders.

If you could bring back a former Villa player into this team (at his peak) who would it be and why?

Difficult to cut down to one player who I’d like to see again among so many who could help the team in different ways. Gerry Hitchens, Peter McParland, God, Leighton Phillips, Nigel Spink, Tony Daley, Sir Brian, Olof Mellberg, Martin Laursen, David Platt and Sir Dennis of Mortimer, to name a small sample. The why seems to be self explanatory.

How do you rate head coach Dean Smith’s time in charge so far?

Given the mess he inherited I’d have to say exceptional.

Best and worst moments of last season?

Wembley final whistle has to be the best. Worst was the close of the summer transfer window and what we were left with defensively.

Your opening opinions of Nassef Sawaris and Wes Edens?

At last, two genuinely clever businessmen, who are worth what they say they are.

Tyrone Mings has arguably been the standout loan signing but, we only have a matching offer clause. Would you break the proverbial bank to secure his signature, or do you go for Tammy Abraham?

Mings everyday of the week and twice on Sundays. Sometimes a club and player come together and it is something special, I think this marriage will be like the second coming.

Jack Grealish has proven himself to be a key man, how do you rate his development?

Amazing compared to where he was a year ago. I think that time out with the liver/kidney damage, made him realise just how short a time playing the game he could have and made him knuckle down and be determined to become as good as he possibly can be. Then having a head coach who has a track record of improving players hasn’t exactly done any harm.

Player of the Year?

Difficult to pick one but, I think I’d make case for James Chester. He played on his wrong side, sacrificing his own game for the good of the team. He played on through a bad knee injury, for the team, knowing it could end his career. As club captain, he has been there, supporting every player. An unsung hero.

All time favourite Villan?

An impossible question to answer, there are so many.

Hope’s for the coming campaign?

Hoping that the team we end up with ‘gel’ quickly and play the kind of football that excites us all. Hope every home game is a sell out and every away game’s away end is sold out and home fans are out sung, as usual.

One Bit Of Non-Football Wisdom For Us?

Strangers are just friends we haven’t met yet.

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