Sheriff Kimbo is next for the Vital Villa interview.
Sheriff Kimbo is next for the Vital Villa interview.
1) When did you become a Villa fan and why?
Family. That`s just how it is with the surname Kimberley. Not sure when it started (although Villa have always been our local team) but if it hadn`t already, then it was almost certainly with my great-uncle Walter, who played for the Villa before the First World War. Sadly, he died as a POW.
2) Paul Lambert? Your opinion please?
Pleased. I was part of the crowd excited by OGS, as that just seemed such a non-Villa appointment that it had all sorts of possibilities! Lambert is certainly safe hands though and I like the man. Sure he`s a bit dour with the press but there is a steely determination about him that I want in our manager.
3) Best and worst moments of last season?
Best is a bit bleak isn`t it
Hmm. My mate got a freebie in an executive box for us at the first home game against Blackburn which was nice! The away win at Chelsea was the best win of the season by a long way. I also think seeing Eric Lichaj finally looking like the player I have been telling everyone he would be was pretty good, and I genuinely think he could be one of our regular starters next season.
As for the worst, the bottom line is I could rant about negative football, lack of passion, particular performances like Spurs away, Alan Hutton; but sadly none of that compares to the news about Stan Petrov, so absolutely, that was the worst.
4) Your opinion of Randy Lerner and the board, can a decent season next season make up for last season?
Let`s get something straight right away. I have never felt so angry or disconnected from Aston Villa as I did last season. Not once during the bleakest of the Ellis era did I feel as hurt or let down as I did last season.
Of course, a good season can go a long way and we can all put it down to an insane experiment that went wrong; or as the conspiracy theorists will put it, a 12-month scapegoat experiment that nearly went wrong, but worked out in the end!
5) Which player/s should Villa sign this summer?
Oh I don`t know! Adam Johnson has been linked, he would be a decent ‘marquee` signing. I think we need improving in all areas. We`ve been linked with Peter Whittingham haven`t we? Something I was thinking about there, he originally came through as a left-back, given the amount of the ball that the full-backs get, Lambert may be eying him up for that. Probably not, but if that is what happens, I`ll look like a genius! We mostly seem to getting linked with wingers anyway.
See this is part of the reason I was excited about OGS, I was hoping for an influx of cheap, reliable Scandanavian folk. As it is, Lambert may now get cheap, exciting Championship folk. Who knows?
It all depends on the next question really doesn`t it
6) Which player/s should Villa get rid of this summer?
Does the whole back four work? Alan Hutton, Stephen Warnock and James Collins are three that I DEFINITELY want gone. Dunne would definitely be next. After that, there are not that many I would feel annoyed about, although I think any attacking players probably deserve another season after that shambles!
7) Favourite current player?
It`s easy to say Darren Bent isn`t it; goals are good. Any player coming through the Academy and doing well is always pleasing.
8) Favourite all time player/s?
Paul McGrath and Gordon Cowans are such obvious answers but they are obvious for a reason. If I was more forgiving then Dwight Yorke would be on the list but I am a bitter man
I pretty much loved all of the 92-93 team. Ian Taylor has to make everybody`s list, surely? Cult hero for me would be Chris Price. Oh and the 95-96 Mark Draper. For one season he was wonderful!
9) What do you expect us to do/finish this season assuming a decent transfer window with £25m or so spent?
Premier : Heart says: Between 4th and 9th. Head says between 8th and 12th.
FA Cup: We are going to win it again at some point, surely? Hopefully at least quarters.
Carling: As above. Although isn`t it now the Capital One Cup? Ugh. Horrible.
10) You can ask yourself any question you want to about Villa and what is your answer?
Q: Ah, Sheriff Kimbo, you handsome devil, I hope all is well. Question about the Villa here. Name a team of players that you wish we had signed when they were younger.
A: Okay. I will. I am struggling to think of full-backs though so I`m going to use some creative licence
Peter Schmeichel; Ian Taylor, Ronny Johnsen, Shaun Teale, Andy Townsend; Paul Merson, Ray Houghton, Kevin Richardson, David Ginola; Cyrille Regis, Kevin Phillips.
(LOOK. You know that Ian Taylor and Andy Townsend did both play full-back for us at least once, and yes, Taylor and Teale both come through the lower league ranks so might not have been ready beforehand, and of course that midfield is a bit lightweight but just join in the fun you pedantic so and so`s!)
11) 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? I have loads of answers for this depending on the situation. But to be honest, I would be very happy just sitting at a table with Dara O`Briain, Frankie Boyle, Russell Howard, Hugh Dennis and Andy Parsons; old school Mock The Week style!
b) Age 31
c) Location: Castle Vale, Brummingham
d) Favourite alcoholic drink: Right, depending on mood – John Smiths, Newcastle Brown, Red Stripe, Jack Daniels, Jamesons or Grants.
e) Favourite non-alcoholic drink: Can`t beat a good cup of tea – NO SUGAR. Although a bottle of cold water is good.
f) Favourite Film/s: Lots of gangster films, comedy films and some 80`s classics, but my fave would be High Plains Drifter
g) Favourite TV Show/s: 30 Rock is my current favourite show. LOADS of sitcoms though. I like the funny.
h) Music?: Well I am a music promoter so this question could go on for ages. To keep it simple though, Oasis and that mid-90`s Britpop era changed my life, so that will be my main musical love
i) Best ever moment in your life: Officially becoming my own boss was a major moment, Stefan Postma bought me a pint which was cool, various Villa things have been great, getting off with a girl so stunning that all I could say afterwards was “Thank you” was mind-bogglingly brilliant, but really, the best moment was punching a very quick fly whilst it was flying and knocking it straight to the ground. I have never felt cooler.
j) Ambitions: They pretty much all revolve around my business (Silent Filter Promotions) at the moment. (www.silentfiltergigs.co.uk)
k) Wise words: Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad
now your turn, how to submit an interview: click here
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