The Vital Villa summer 2017 interviews continue with GMVillan
1) When did you become a Villa fan and why?
Trick question! I was BORN as a Villa fan on September 17, 1968.
2) What is your favourite Villa moment of all time/most treasured memory?
1. Has to be that moment in Rotterdam. We were about five rows from the back, behind the goal when the cross came over. I was 13 at the time and everyone jumped up so I never saw the actual moment that Withe made contact, but it wasn’t hard to figure out!
2. Chris Nicholl’s goal at Old Trafford in the 17th replay
3. Clock End at Highbury
4. First time standing on the Holte with my big brother (‘The Left Side’)
5. Meeting the players and staff in Columbus, Ohio on their US tour.
3) If you could bring back a former Villa player into this team (at his peak) who would it be and why
So many to choose from and my immediate instinct is God McGrath, BUT as it is specific to the current team, begrudgingly I’m going to say Yorke. At his best (under the tutelage of Brian Little), he was the complete centre-forward. Most importantly, he could play with his back to goal as well as run in-behind. We’ve had nobody since him that can do both. The current team is crying out for a forward who can hold the ball up when needed. People blame the midfield for not being creative enough, but without a forward who knows when to show for the ball it is virtually impossible to build an attack.
4) Steve Bruce? Your opinion please?
100% think he is the best man for the job. It’s rare that I’ve ever been jealous of BCFC in my life, but I always felt he was/is a top manager. I think it is absolute nonsense that he gets criticism for his ‘style of play’ – he knows what it takes to win and was part of one of English football’s greatest ever teams (it hurts to say that!). As much as we would all love Villa to play ‘expansive, attacking football’ I can recall with great fondness how solid and well-organized we were under Ron Saunders and Graham Taylor and to a certain degree, Brian Little. Those were our best times with TROPHIES.
5) Best and worst moments of last season?
Worst – the away defeat at Preston which (correctly) saw the end of the RDM experiment. Best – seeing Villa Park erupt when we won the local derby.
6) Your opinion of Doctor Tony Xia and our CEO Keith Wyness?
To a certain degree, the jury is still out. Just like the team and the manager, they have a lot to do still. However, I like the transparency and the building blocks that are being put into place (hiring of Steve Round, consistency with the youth set-up). I’m 75% convinced and 25% hopeful that they have stopped the rot and are moving Villa forward.
7) What do you think we need most in the transfer window?
A centre-back (preferably left-footed) to provide competition/cover. An older seasoned pro would be fine.
A striker and/or ‘number 10’ who can link the play and most-importantly has the intelligence of knowing when to stick or twist (see my answer to Question 3). I honestly think McGateMack could be that player but he’s got to get himself sorted out.
8) Which player/s should Villa get rid of this summer?
ALL of the loan players. Tsihbola has zero tactical discipline. Sanchez, Veretout and Gil aren’t suited to the English game and don’t want to be here. Gollini’s comments about ‘being assured he’d have an Italian coach’ are beyond comprehension.
Wouldn’t be sad to see the back of Richards (NEVER EVER a centre-back – see comments on Tsihbola).
9) Favourite and least favourite current player? (Explanation if you wish)
Favourites: Jedinak is an obvious favourite because he’s good at what he does. I like Hutton’s work-rate and the fact that he never hides. Chester is dependable. Baker is homegrown.
Least Favourites: I may never forgive Agbonlahor, but I give a little leeway because I just think he lacks the intelligence to see how damaging his behaviour was/is. Plus, anyone who isn’t willing to give 110% for the shirt.
10) Who was your first footballing hero and who are your favourite all time player/s?
Tony Morley! I was playing left-wing for the school team in those days and I idolized him as a kid.
All time favourites: Brian Little, Kenny Swain, Gary Shaw, Jimmy Rimmer, Paul God McGrath, Andy Townsend, Kevin Richardson, Martin Laursen, Olof Mellberg, Brad Friedel, Gareth Barry, James Milner
11) What do you expect us to do/finish this season coming?
Expect the top six, hope for the top two! Maybe a little cup run?
12) You can ask yourself any question you want to about Villa and what is your answer?
Best pieces of AVFC memorabilia (I have quite a bit!).
Three signed footballs from: 1975 team (promotion and League Cup),1981-2 team (won it all), 1996 team (League Cup).
My brother got me a limited-edition, signed Paul McGrath print as a university graduation gift, and a signed copy of his book. Priceless!
a) Which celebrity/s would you most like to meet and why?
I’m coming to the conclusion that most ‘celebrities’ irritate me. They use their fame to spout ludicrous political opinions and try to tell us how to live. I’d rather meet a few genuine military veterans who have given us the right to live…
b) Age
See question 1 and do the maths!
c) Location:
Mesa (Phoenix), Arizona
d) Favourite alcoholic drink:
Anything cold (it’s 105F here at the minute!)
e) Favourite non-alcoholic drink:
Iced tea / Coffee
f) Favourite Film/s:
The Imitation Game, Ghost, American Sniper,
g) Favourite TV Show/s:
NCIS
h) Music?
I like a bit of everything except Country
i) Best ever moment in your life:
June 14, 2014 – somehow convincing my wife to say yes….
j) Ambitions:
Make a living from flying (I’m working on it!)
k) Wise words:
Don’t listen to me!
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JuanPabloAngel
Mike Field
