Gazgecko is next for the Vital Villa interview.
1) When did you become a Villa fan and why?
Chris Nichol 1977. I recently had a beer with a Chelski fan who was there, he went with his cousin who’s a Villan. Had a great time talking about his many trips to VP including the Villa v Rangers friendly way back when ( jeez what was that all about )…
2) What is your favourite Villa moment of all time/most treasured memory?
Apart from the above: Sunderland v Villa, 93/94 Mickey Mouse Cup, Dalian Atkinson’s second goal: great through ball from Kevin Richardson and a sublime, nonchalant outside of the boot flick. Great stuff.
3) If you could bring back a former Villa player into this team (at his peak) who would it be and why?
If you could bring back a former Villa player into this team (at his peak) who would it be and why? Des Bremner or Kevin Richardson. Fantastic engines, not afraid to tackle and a habit frustrating the crap out of the opposition. I was gutted when KR left.
4) Paul Lambert? Your opinion please?
He’s clearly been given a very structured set of objectives (wages down, promote kids, buy selectively from Yurp ( which is that country across the channel ), and to be honest I’d rather have this business model than the QPR version. I like what he’s trying to do in terms of style of play, it’s taken him a while to identify his preferred starting eleven though and as a result we’ve had a few tonkings. More recently though it’s been great to watch, we were fantastic in the first half against the Baggies, some of our pass and move stuff was frighteningly fast…just need to buy more players who will adapt to this system early doors. I’m confident that he’ll progress us steadily if not meteorically, bring it on.
5) Best and worst moments of last season?
Best: Norwich away, the only game I managed to get to. Didn’t stop singing for 90 minutes, awesome day out ( although some of the ‘Youth’ in the pub were convinced I was Old Bill, which made for an interesting afternoon).
Worst: hard to choose between Chelsea and Bradford. No, definitely Bradford, no Prem side should lose over two legs to a third tier side.
6) Some say last season was a success, others not so much. What is your opinion?
I know the word transition has been over used but that is exactly what we’re in. Getting the players to revert from the McLeish style, 6-4-0 formation, inability to pass, create, attack dirge to a team that is capable of retaining possession for more than 3 passes and has a genuine attacking intent is nothing short of remarkable. The development of Lowton and in particular Westwood into confident ball-players shows his coaching ability. There have been some problems and we were perilously close to going down, but I’m pleased with the style and the intent and I genuinely want to watch them play ( I couldn’t bear to under McLeish). Lambert is a coach, he teaches players, improves them and develops them. McLeish, Pulis, O’Neill are dinosaur managers plying a 1970’s trade as if modern football pitches are quagmires. Give me PL any day of the week.
7) Your opinion of Randy Lerner and the board?
Invested heavily, advised incredibly poorly.
8) Which player/s should Villa sign this summer?
We’ll buy from abroad and from the lower leagues. Lambert will avoid any journeyman, ‘big names’ and concentrate on signings that won’t expect stupid wages but will adapt to his style.
Who do I want? A centre back, and a left back. I DO want to see some of the youngsters brought through from the reserves too. I do NOT want injury-prone, 30 plus, last move players who want a last paycheque (that means you Defoe)…
9) Which player/s should Villa get rid of this summer?
Dunne’s gone, Result. Hutton, Bent, Given, Ireland…that’s got to be 250-300,000 per week in wages…
10) Favourite current player?
Weimann. Tenacious, energetic and a true team player. When we score he is genuinely delighted no matter who gets the final touch. He always congratulates the scorer and he always salutes the fans like he’s watching it down the pub with them. His attitude is ‘aren’t we (The Villa) great’, there are other players who’s attitude is more ‘aren’t I great’. There are a few seasoned pros who could learn a lot from him.
11) Who was your first footballing hero and who are your favourite all time player/s?
Des Bremner
And…
Kevin Richardson
Dalian Atkinson
Martin Laurson
James Milner. James, you were an awesome centre mid, why did you go to Citeh to be stuck on the wing? Oh really? That much? Fair do’s then…
12) What do you expect us to do/finish this season?
Premier: Top half, but with a reputation for good attacking football and ( puh-Leeze ) a tight defence.
FA Cup: Semis
Carling: Ban this pointless, rubbishy, waste of time competition.
13) You can ask yourself any question you want to about Villa and what is your answer?
Q: Will Adrian Durham’s recent Villa love-in be proved to be right, and Villa demonstrate a salient lesson in good football club management.
A: Frickin’ hope so, I can’t bear another relegation scrap.
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? I’ve touched Cameron Diaz’s bottom, so….
b) Age 42
c) Location: Reading
d) Favourite alcoholic drink: Brooklyn lager
e) Favourite non-alcoholic drink: Good coffee
f) Favourite Film/s: Miller’s Crossing, Zatoichi, Dead Man’s Shoes, The Thing (1982)
g) Favourite TV Show/s: Sherlock, Elementary, The Apprentice
h) Music?: Ennio Morricone, The Clash, Bowie, Queen and (whisper it) The Bangles
i) Best ever moment in your life: Every time my girlfriend smiles and she does it every time I pick her up from work…I am proper smitten!
j) Ambitions: Kids. Take my girlfriend to see the Villa.
k) Wise words: ‘I never apologise. I’m sorry, that’s just the way I am.’ Homer Simpson
Now your turn, how to submit an interview: click here
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