James06 takes the Vital Villan interview!
Ladies and gentleman, it is none other than James06 taking the Vital Villan interview!
1) When did you become a Villa fan and why?
My Dad took me to Villa Park around 1985/86. He’d stopped going in the early seventies having married and had two kids. My elder brother went with his mates and followed the Blues so when I developed a fondness for the brilliant Everton side of the time, I think the old man decided he couldn’t have another son go astray and together we’ve been regulars ever since.
2) Best moment/moments as a Villa fan?
Trips to Wembley always stand out and there have been many other brilliant away trips and Villa Park classics. But I honestly can’t see past the 5-1 demolition of Blues last year. The buzz from that lasted for months!
3) Worst moment/moments as a Villa fan?
Without doubt, losing to Blues in their first Premiership season. Luckily I was a student and lived in Derby at the time; I left St Andrews 10 minutes before the end, went home, packed some stuff and headed east. I ignored all my bluenose mates’ calls for two months, and then, they beat us again, at Villa Park! Definitely games to forget.
4) Best and worst away ground visited?
Best – It’s easy to say The Emirates or suchlike, but I prefer traditional, atmospheric grounds with character, so I’ll actually say Oxford United’s old Manor Ground. Winter, midweek, cup tie, under the lights, Villa making up 50% of the tiny, but brilliant little ground.
Worst – St Andrews. Not just because of the rivalry, I just genuinely think it’s dreadful. Whilst being a Villa fan, I’m also a proud Brummie, and I actually wish they would flatten the current eyesore and rebuild something decent.
5) What did you think of last season? Good, bad or indifferent and do you think we progressed?
Good I thought. Obviously the end of season dip has left people feeling indifferent, but it shouldn’t take away from the achievement of consolidating 6th place, and finally seeing some European football again.
6) Which player/s should Villa sign this summer? And do you think Villa will spend enough this summer to progress?
I saw him, MON saw him, and 40,000 other villa fans saw him: now if some sort of summer advance isn’t made in trying to get the signature of Wagner Love: I’d be very disappointed. His talents and crowd pleasing enthusiasm was evident for all to see.
Also Litex Lovech’s Brazilian genius Tom.
7) What do you expect next season?
Premier League: 6th
FA Cup: Quarters
Europa League: Finalists
Carling Cup: Lose first game – whichever round that is?
8) Your opinion on Martin O’Neill now he is approaching his 4th season in charge?
Villa don’t play attractive football, even though I think they have the players to do so, and this I think, brings a deeper urge in the fans for silverware. Albion fans love Mowbray even after glaring failure, because he’s honest and desperately strives to entertain. MON needs silverware to counteract his unentertaining game. I fear the faithful might start turning pretty quickly if anything less than this season’s ‘achievements’ becomes likely.
9) Your opinion on Randy Lerner and his board?
I honestly think Randy Lerner and his board are the best we could ask for. Football has changed and in the current times, Lerner suits perfectly.
We all loved the days of cheese and pineapple on sticks, bottles of diamond white and a cheesy disco, but nowadays it’s champagne, caviar and a piano reception. Lerner’s class is much more credible than Ellis’s embarrassing uncle routine – saying that though, with whom did we have more of a laugh?
10) Favourite current player?
Stilyan Petrov – Not only do I honestly think he possesses more natural talent than any player at the club. I love his attitude and how he has shown commitment and ambition. Again, maybe I’m old school, but I love a determined scrapper who will fight for the cause, hence I like Milner too. The connoisseur might prefer Ashley Young, but his diving, injury feigning and whingeing leaves him way down on my list of favorites.
11) Favourite former player/s?
There are so many, the usuals: McGrath, Mellberg, Taylor, Merson, Yorke etc… but some cult favorites of mine also are: Hitzlsperger, Nelson, Kubicki, Scimeca and Fenton.
12) Gareth Barry, will he stay or go and do you care?
Honestly I don’t care. If we are going to break the top four, whilst I think he could play a part, we’d need better than him in our midfield, if he went now and we bought in younger talent, I’d be satisfied.
13) Right, lets lower the tone… which celebrity would you most like to bang?!
Susan Boyle
With thanks to James06
How to join in on the interviews: http://www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk/article
