AVFC4ME is next for the Vital Villa interview.
AVFC4ME is next for the Vital Villa interview.
1) When did you become a Villa fan and why?
19th September 1992 at approximately 4:15pm. Why? Liverpool were the ‘it` team at the time and because of this, my Dad (who has no interest in football) decided to take me to see Liverpool at Villa Park. He managed to get some tickets through work to sit in the Upper Holt. The atmosphere was just electric and on 54(ish) minutes Dalian Atkinson scored a second goal for Aston Villa after Mark Walters had put Liverpool in front and Dean Saunders had drawn us level just prior to half time. It was my first time at Villa Park and the adrenalin I felt when the crowd erupted after that cracker of a goal turned my blood claret and blue. We went on to win the game 4-2 and I would follow the mighty Villans forever more.
2) What is your favourite Villa moment of all time/most treasured memory?
1994 Coca Cola cup final against Man Utd – my first trip to Wembley. Atkinson and Saunders did the job for us that day too – with the help of some Andrei Kanchelskis goalkeeping skills!
3) If you could bring back a former Villa player into this team (at his peak) who would it be and why?
That is a really tough question. How about either Ginola, Pires or Schmeichal? Neither one were really ‘at their peak` when they played for us but just imagine if they were!! I`d also like to see Juan Pablo Angel playing off Benteke – that would be immense!
4) Paul Lambert? Your opinion please?
At the moment I`m very pro Lambert. I don`t think we`ve had enough opportunity to judge him properly yet as clearly last season was a bit of a transition period. I like the way he`s getting the team to play though and I think he`s been very clever in the transfer market on a frugal budget so, so far so good. I think the real judgement will be on what he achieves this season though.
5) Best and worst moments of last season?
Not too many best moments were there to be honest! The season ending and still being a premier league team was probably the highlight!
And too many worst moments weren`t there? Clearly the 8-0 drubbing tops the list.
6) Some say last season was a success, others not so much. What is your opinion?
From a personal fan perspective looking at the season in isolation, just avoiding relegation can in no way be classed as a success.
Looking at it more broadly, maintaining Premier League status whilst completely changing to a more dynamic style of play, clearing out some of the highly paid under achievers and replacing them with hungry young players who will grow in value, and building a much more stable base to push on in the coming seasons? At this stage it looks like it`s a success, but we can`t judge that until we see if we do actually push on this season. Fingers and toes crossed we do but ask me again at the end of the season!
7) Your opinion of Randy Lerner and the board?
I like Randy Lerner. There I said it. I know I know it`s controversial, but I actually like that he stays out of the lime light. Give me a Randy Lerner over a Dave Whelan or Mike Ashley or a Venkys any day of the week!
You cannot argue that he hasn`t invested in the club – sure we`d like him to invest some more (I`m sure Man City fans would say the same about their board!) and sure some of his investments have been misguided but I`m not sure he`s to blame for that?
Anyway, I think Randy and the board are doing a great job and I am very happy with the way this football club is now being run.
..and before anyone says it
no
my name isn`t Paul Faulkner!
8) Which player/s should Villa sign this summer?
At the time of writing this I think Lambert has signed 4 already with a couple more close to signing – only two of which I`ve ever heard of, so I put my faith completely in Paul that these 6 new faces will be what we need. 6 new Benteke`s should do nicely!
9) Which player/s should Villa get rid of this summer?
Ireland has to go. What a waste of talent.
Chris Herd may look to pastures new for similar reasons although I`d like to hang on to him as a good malleable squad player.
Darren Bent must go too to pave the way for new incoming talent. I`m sure we`ll take a massive hit on him but what`s the point in having one of your highest earners barely making the bench in a team that is restricted by wage spend.
10) Favourite current player?
I think probably Westwood who is growing into an exciting young player. I look forward to seeing more of him this term.
11) Who was your first footballing hero and who are your favourite all time player/s?
My first (for the same reasons as my first and second answers), Dalian Atkinson. All time favourites, Ian Taylor, Paul McGrath, Tony Daley, Mark Bosnich, Kevin Richardson, Dwight Yorke, Savo, JPA
I could go on and on!
12) What do you expect us to do/finish this season?
Premier: 8th
FA Cup: Out in the 3rd round to Man Utd
Carling: Semis
13) You can ask yourself any question you want to about Villa and what is your answer?
With Hutton, Bent, N`Zogbia, Ireland all potentially on their way out of Villa Park have we found a suitable replacement?
Yes, I hear we`ve purchased an electric blanket to keep the bench warm!
14) 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?
b) Age 33 & 1/3
c) Location: I move around a bit with work but currently in Sydney
d) Favourite alcoholic drink: I`ve been overseas for a while now and god I miss a proper English pint!
e) Favourite non-alcoholic drink: Ginger beer
f) Favourite Film/s: Escape to Victory, Airplane!, Back to the Future, North by Northwest
g) Favourite TV Show/s: I quite enjoyed Sherlock and Lost, but I don`t really get much chance to watch TV these days – except ‘EPL Live: viewer`s choice at Villa Park` at 2am most Sunday mornings!
h) Music?: I have rather an eclectic mix – The Doors, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Air, Ben Howard, Bloc Party, Snow patrol to name a few
i) Best ever moment in your life: I should probably say marrying my beautiful wife or the birth of my child but probably that 94 trip to Wembley. Oooh or I once met Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee on a ferry to France – that was pretty epic! Hahaha!
j) Ambitions: Nothing big. I`d like to own Aston Villa football club, invest an enormous wealth into it and make it the most successful club the world has ever seen. One day my brothers
.one day!
k) Wise words: “Idleness is the ideal of genius”
Now your turn, how to submit an interview: click here
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