The Vital Villa interviews are back. This one by JuanPabloAngel. See how you can submit yours.
1) When did you become a Villa fan and why?
Early 80s; I think I was probably a European Cup glory hunter (yeah, how`s that working out now?!) and first match was against Watford in 1984 – Dad took me down to B6 (don`t really remember why – he was a Dingle!!) and I`ve never looked back (in anger!)
2) What is your favourite Villa moment of all time/most treasured memory?
There have been loads, although not nearly enough in truth. Loved the penalty shoot-out v Tranmere in 1994 – great game, emotional rollercoaster and coming back to win 3-1 and force extra time. Never been at a match like it, before or since. Mind you, coming back from 2-0 down at half-time v Coventry to send them down finally wasn`t far behind.
3) If you could bring back a former Villa player into this team (at his peak) who would it be and why?
Ian Taylor, no question. Proper Villa, best midfielder we`ve had since Dennis Mortimer and always gave 100%. Box-to-box, scored goals, a world away from what we`ve had to put up with in the last few years.
4) Steve Bruce? Your opinion please?
Not my cup of tea to be honest. He is what he is – unglamorous, roll-your-sleeves-up type of guy. Has a track record of getting teams up, but have a nasty suspicion we will be a bridge too far for him. At least he appreciates the job he has to do and the history of the club, the tremendous fanbase and they years of underachievement we`ve had to endure. I hope for all our sakes I am wrong, and that he can get the job done in the coming season.
5) Best and worst moments of last season?
Best moment: Perhaps slightly perversely, the tributes to Dalian Atkinson, Graham Taylor and Ugo Ehiogu. So moving, and always gets me how so many people can come together to show respect and love when it matters. Worst: pretty much everything else, although the defeat to Luton was maybe our lowest ebb.
6) Your opinion of Doctor Tony Xia and our CEO Keith Wyness?
Happy. They seem to know what they are doing and I have every faith in them to get us back to where I feel we belong. After they Lerner years, you have to admire the infectious enthusiasm of Dr Xia.
7) What do you think we need most in the transfer window?
A winger, or preferably two. It`s no good having £40m worth of strikers if we can`t provide the service
8) Which player/s should Villa get rid of this summer?
Richards, Elphick, Agbonlahor would be a good start for me. Also if the loan deals (eg Gil, Veretout, etc) could be made permanent, that would also help. Not that I want them to leave, but I am guessing they have no part in Bruce`s plans, so let`s just draw a line under them.
9) Favourite and least favourite current player? (Explanation if you wish)
Favourite: Mile Jedinak – a powerhouse and we are far worse when he is not in the side. Least favourite: Could easily say Gabby for his contempt of the past couple of years, but I`ll go for Henri Lansbury – show pony with a ridiculous haircut. If you Googled ‘the problem with modern football` I would think a picture of him will appear high in the search results.
10) Who was your first footballing hero and who are your favourite all time player/s?
First hero was Nigel Spink – I played in goal all the time as a kid, and his performance v Bayern was awesome – as a 7-year old, was very inspiring. All-time, Paul McGrath, Ian Taylor and Juan Pablo Angel for Villa. In football generally, I would pay to watch Gazza in his prime and Gary Lineker was top drawer.
11) What do you expect us to do/finish this season coming?
There is a big difference between hope and expectation, but the minimum we should achieve is top 6. With the money spent, the resources available and Bruce`s track record, automatic promotion.
12) You can ask yourself any question you want to about Villa and what is your answer?
What were the club thinking when they hired Alex McLeish? Answer: literally nobody knows!
And if you don`t mind:
Just to change the theme slightly, a snap shot of you outside of football, answer or ignore at your leisure:
(based on our WHO ARE YOU thread!!!)
a) Which celebrity/s would you most like to meet and why? Peter Kay – the funniest person ever. FACT.
b) Age42
c) Location: Stratford-upon-Avon
d) Favourite alcoholic drink: Red wine
e) Favourite non-alcoholic drink:Sparkling water
f) Favourite Film/s: Pulp Fiction, The Empire Strikes Back, The Man With The Golden Gun
g) Favourite TV Show/s: Peter Kay`s Car Share, The West Wing, Criminal Minds
h) Music?: U2, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, AC/DC
i) Best ever moment in your life: The birth of my kids (massive cliché alert!)
j) Ambitions: To write a best-seller
k) Wise words:In wine, there is wisdom. In beer, there is freedom. In water, there is bacteria. (Benjamin Franklin)
