Aston Villa – ONE-2-ELEVEN – Defence

ONE-2-ELEVEN – Defence

Last one: One-2-Eleven – Villa’s Best.. Goalkeeper

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In this latest post of my all-time Villa XI, it`s time to take a look at the defenders.

In front of Bozzie, I`ve gone for a back three. It makes it even harder to narrow down the contenders, as we have been lucky to have some amazing defenders over the past 30-odd years. Some of them have gone on to make their names elsewhere – Martin Keown and Gary Cahill spring immediately to mind. But plenty have stayed, and carved their names in Villa Park legend.

Players like Allan Evans, Ken McNaught, Derek Mountfield, Ugo Ehiogu, Martin Laursen, Olof Mellberg, Alan Wright, and Chris Price all could lay claim for a spot in the all-time Villa XI. More recent incumbents have not been as successful nor revered – Richard Dunne, James Collins, Ron Vlaar, Alan Hutton to name but a few.

Realistically, there is only one place to start. Paul McGrath. Aka God. The man is a Villa legend, joining us from Manchester United with his knees shot and other personal demons to contend with. But for Villa, he was un-be-lievable Jeff. He gave 110% every time he played, didn`t train and was still one of the best defenders you will ever see. No ifs, no buts.

Alongside God at the back, I`ve gone for the two Gareths – Southgate and Barry. Both blessed with pace, a great reading of the game (and both not too shabby in midfield either) and they would complement McGrath superbly in my book. They also played pretty well and a back three along with Ugo in the John Gregory days, so it`s a system that suits them.

Both left Villa under slightly acrimonious circumstances, hoping for a better challenge and better chance of success at Middlesbrough (eh?!) and Manchester City. It has to be said, Barry probably came out of it better than Southgate, but it was sad to see us lose them. I have no ill feeling, but can`t for the life of me think why anyone would want to leave B6, massive pay rise or not.

So that`s my defence: Bosnich, Southgate, McGrath and Barry. Not too bad wouldn`t you say?