Villa Oldstars Squad

OLD STARS – 2006 Squad

The team is chosen subject to availability

CHAMBERS John Player Manager

Extremely talented and skilful midfield player with Aston Villa during the 1960’s. John is the longest servant with the Old Stars, having first played for the side during the early 1970’s. John was presented with the prestigious Aston Villa FPA ‘Outstanding Service’ award in 1999 and took charge of the Aston Villa Old Stars team in 2002.

BIRCH Paul

England U21 international midfield player who played for the club from 1983 until his transfer to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1991. He played in the team that won the European Super Cup against Barcelona (Maradona et al) in 1983. A real dynamo in midfield, he is a player every team wants in their side.

BLAIR Andy

Scotland Under-23 international midfielder and a member of Aston Villa’s successful European Cup and European Super Cup squads. One of only a handful of players to have signed for Aston Villa twice, he also played for Coventry and Sheffield Wednesday. Andy was the Old Stars ‘Player of the Year’ in 1996.

BRADLEY Darren

England Youth international fullback and midfielder who played for Aston Villa from 1983 until 1986. A strong tackler and a superb passer and striker of the ball. Transferred to West Bromwich Albion where he made over 300 first-team appearances and was the last man to Captain WBA at Wembley.


BREMNER Des

Scotland international midfield player who played in the League Championship, European Cup, and European Super Cup winning teams in the early 1980’s and is rightfully regarded by his fellow professionals as one of the most outstanding players of his generation. Des was the 1998 and 2001 Old Stars ‘Player of the Year’.

BURKE Mark

England Youth international who played for Aston Villa from 1985 until 1988. An immensely talented midfield player, winger or striker. Transferred to Middlesbrough who he helped rise from the 3rd division to the top flight. Also played for Wolves, Fortuna Sittard in Holland and with former European cup winners, Steaua Bucharest.

COWANS Gordon

England international midfield player and Villa Park ‘legend’ who is ranked third in the clubs all-time appearances list. This magnificent footballer was in the team that won the League Championship, European Cup, and European Super Cup. ‘Sid’ was the Old Stars ‘Player of the Year’ in 1999, 2000 and 2003.

DALEY Tony

England international at Youth, U21, B, and full level. An extremely gifted forward with blistering pace, he played for Aston Villa from 1985 until his transfer to Wolves in 1994. He was dogged by serious injuries, which prevented him from being able to continue at the highest level.

EVANS Allan

Scotland international and an outstanding centre-back who played in the League Championship, European Cup, and European Super Cup winning teams and played for Scotland in the 1982 World Cup. He is rightly regarded as an Aston Villa ‘all-time great’ and is ranked fifth in the clubs all-time appearances list.

GIBSON Colin

England B and Under-21 international fullback and midfield player and a member of Aston Villa’s successful League Championship, European Cup and European Super Cup teams in the early 1980’s. Transferred to Manchester United where he suffered serious knee injuries. Colin was 2002 Old Stars ‘Player of the Year’.

HEARD Pat

Outstanding left-side defender or midfield player who joined Aston Villa from Everton in 1979 and was a member of Aston Villa’s European Cup and European Super Cup winning teams in 1982. Transferred to Sheffield Wednesday in 1983. Also played for Middlesbrough & Newcastle Utd.

KING Phil

Signed from Sheffield Wednesday with whom he played in the FA Cup Final. He moved on to Aston Villa, and persistent injury prevented him from making more than his 70 first team appearances. However, he helped Aston Villa overcome Inter Milan in the 1994/1995 UEFA Cup, scoring the winner in the penalty shoot out.

LINTON Ivor

A very gifted utility player who made his debut for Aston Villa in 1977 and became a member of Aston Villa’s successful League Championship, European Cup and European Super Cup winning squads in the early 1980’s. Transferred to Nottingham Forest in 1983. A stalwart for the Old Stars team with a keen eye for goal.

MORLEY Tony

England international winger who came to Aston Villa from Burnley in 1979. He became an Aston Villa ‘all-time great’ as a member of the League Championship, European Cup, and European Super Cup winning teams and scored the ‘goal of the season’ in 1981. Tony was the Old Stars ‘Player of the Year’ in 1997, 2004 and 2005.

NORTON David

Adaptable defender or midfield player who played for Aston Villa from 1984 until 1988. Equally at home playing fullback or in the centre of midfield, where his high-energy style of play is a great contribution to the team. Became a regular in the Old Stars team in 2004.

OLNEY Ian

England under 21 and B international striker who played for Aston Villa from 1988 until 1992, during which time, the club finished runners-up in the top division. His flourishing career was prematurely ended by a knee injury after a short spell at Oldham Athletic.

ORMSBY Brendan

England Youth international. A powerful and very skilful centre-back with excellent passing ability. He was a member of the all-conquering Aston Villa team that won the European Cup and European Super Cup in the 1980’s. Played over 150 games for Aston Villa before he was transferred to Leeds Utd where he gained further success.

PRICE Gavin

Wales Youth international who played for Aston Villa during the 1980’s, when due to the teams outstanding successes, first-team opportunities were limited. An extremely competent two-footed utility player, he can play anywhere in defence or in midfield with equal aplomb.

SMALL Bryan

England Under 21 international left back. An extremely quick and skilful player who played for Aston Villa in the 1990’s. Possesses extremely good passing skills and has a keen eye for goal, which are usually of a spectacular nature. He made his debut in the Old Stars team in 2006.

SPINK Nigel

England international goalkeeper and member of the League Championship, European Cup and European Super Cup winning sides of the 1980’s. Spent 19½ years at Villa Park, a truly remarkable record that has elevated him, quite rightly, to ‘Legend’ status. Now a top goalkeeping coach in the Premiership.

STAUNTON Steve

A Villa Park ‘legend’ who had two separate spells at the club, joining from Liverpool FC on both occasions. Played in the three World Cup Finals with the Republic of Ireland and became their most capped player and in 2006, the Manager. Possesses superb all-round skills and is able to play in defence or in midfield.

STIRLAND Gary

Extremely fit and skilful midfield player who played for Aston Villa in the early 1980’s. A strong running player with good passing skills. He can play with equal aplomb at fullback or in a wide midfield position. He has been a regular in the Old Stars team since 2001.

SWAIN Kenny

Signed from Chelsea, he was the regular right back in the all-conquering Aston Villa team that won the League Championship, European Cup and European Super Cup in the 1980’s. He is now an FA Coach working within the England international set-up.

TEALE Shaun

Outstanding centre-back signed from Bournemouth in 1991. He was a member of Aston Villa’s successful League Cup winning teams in 1994 against Manchester United and again in 1996 against Leeds United. In his first season with the Aston Villa Old Stars and sure to make a big impact.

WALTERS Mark

England international winger and striker who made his name at Aston Villa before big-money transfers took him to Liverpool and Glasgow Rangers. He has won League Championship and FA Cup winners’ medals in both England and Scotland.

WARD Ian

Played for Aston Villa during the 1980’s, when due to the teams outstanding successes, first-team opportunities were limited. An extremely competent utility player who can play anywhere in defence or in midfield with equal competence.

GUEST PLAYERS

On occasions it may be necessary to supplement the team with one or more former professional or semi-professional guest players.