Carew AV Legend is next for the Vital Villa interview.
Carew AV Legend is next for the Vital Villa interview.
1) When did you become a Villa fan and why?
I became a Villa fan from a young age really like the majority. However, being brought up in the north, I have my dad to thank for bringing me up a Villan, as he’s from Tamworth. In addition to that though, Aston Villa FC is in my blood as my great grandad played for the mighty Claret and Blue in the early 1900’s.
2) What is your favourite Villa moment of all time/most treasured memory?
Unfortunately I wasn`t able to witness the glory days of the old guard in 82` etc, so for me it would have to be in 2009, when we beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford, as you can imagine I had an interesting Monday morning, being the only Villa fan in a school full of United, City and Liverpool fans.
3) If you could bring back a former Villa player into this team (at his peak) who would it be and why?
Tough one. As much as I love John Carew, our defence is a major issue at the moment and for that reason I would go with Martin Laursen. A solid centre back when fit, just a shame his career was cut short because of injury. Always caused trouble in the penalty box as well, which we miss dearly from our current defence.
4) Paul Lambert? Your opinion please?
I will be the first to admit that I was in limbo when we first appointed him, but having gone through the several ups and downs in this rollercoaster of a season, I am definitely fighting the Lambert corner. He has done wonders for our club this year, with the exception of a leaky defence. He, unlike his predecessors, has managed to persuade our top players to stay which is unknown at Villa Park, even for Martin O`Neil. The former Norwich manager has character and he is not afraid to upset players along the way which some managers lack these days. Let`s just hope he signs a new contract, otherwise my opinion may change if he starts to look elsewhere when he gets an ego boost.
5) Best and worst moments of last season?
Worst moment – 8-0 away to Chelsea – pretty much speaks for itself.
Best moment – 6-1 at home to Sunderland – The result which kept us up in my opinion. Just seeing Di Canio nearly cry made my day also.
6) Some say last season was a success, others not so much. What is your opinion?
As Margaret Thatcher once said – “Yes, the medicine is harsh, but the patient requires it in order to live.” I couldn`t have put better myself. Aston Villa was a club in real trouble before Lambert was appointed and so to be where we are now, with the wage bill much decreased, a squad of players who can only get better, along with the deadwood of the club being stripped, there is much craved optimism now circulating the veins of Villa Park. Aston Villa, unlike the current economic crisis, is finally recovering from the recession. Hallelujah. So yes, last season was a success, because we are still in the Premier League and we are now in a much better position with our best players in tact and the right manager and owner in place to take us forward once more.
7) Your opinion of Randy Lerner and the board?
I have never really had any problems with the board, but the one thing that I`m sure most will agree with is that there needs to be more communication between the fans and its owner. I understand Lerner rarely gives interviews but one or two a season would be most obliged, just see what he thinks of the club and what his ambitions are.
8) Which player/s should Villa sign this summer?
I`m confident Lambert will pick the right players, but whether or not they are in the right position is another kettle of fish. He needs to realise we miss that linkup player between upfront and midfield, which we once thought would be Stephen Ireland, how wrong we all were. The ‘No.10` sort of player has been missed ever since James Milner left the club, so for me a player of Milner`s ability would be welcomed with open arms, who that is I don’t know.
9) Which player/s should Villa get rid of this summer?
BARRY BANNAN! Hutton, Ireland and unfortunately Darren Bent, but for the latter, I`d prefer it if we sold him to a club abroad based on the fact that if he goes to Newcastle or Fulham we have practically shot ourselves in the foot. Those types of clubs, currently on the same level as us, will only progress if they have a 20-goal striker. Yes we have Benteke, but if he gets injured that`s a big hole to fill when there is no one like Bent to fill in when needed.
10) Favourite current player?
Andreas Weimann, but Guzan comes a close second
11) Who was your first footballing hero and who are your favourite all time player/s?
My era as a young Villain would have to be the likes of Ashley Young, Olof Melberg and John Carew. But if I had to pick a player from the old days, it would have to be Peter Withe, because he is the man who enabled me to say ‘We have won the European Cup, what have you won?`
12) What do you expect us to do/finish this season?
Premier: 9th
FA Cup: Quarters
Capital One: Final
13) You can ask yourself any question you want to about Villa and what is your answer?
First game?
West Ham at home – finished 1-1 but we should`ve had a penalty in the last few minutes. The train ride back was eventful, face to face with wannabe fans from Green Street. LOL
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? Piers Morgan or Mat Kendrick – to give me a few tips on how to be a better journalist
b) Age 19
c) Location: Oldham, Greater Manchester
d) Favourite alcoholic drink: Kopparberg mixed fruit, but wouldn`t say no to a shot of Absinthe
e) Favourite non-alcoholic drink: Pepsi
f) Favourite Film/s: Currently Project X, but I there are plenty more
g) Favourite TV Show/s: Big Bang Theory and Match of the Day (despite them being terribly bias), Sunday Supplement
h) Music?: High Flying Birds!, Jake Bugg, The Clash, Madness, Oasis, Bob Marley, UB40, Tony Bennett, I could go on
i) Best ever moment in your life: My first lads holiday to Zante, as well as seeing the mighty Claret and Blue
j) Ambitions: To be a successful sports journalist for the Birmingham Mail as an Aston Villa reporter or write for BBC Sport/Sky Sports
k) Wise words: “Writing well means never having to say, ‘I guess you had to be there.` ” – Jef Mallett
Now your turn, how to submit an interview: click here
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