James06 talks the talk in the Vital Villan interview.
James06 talks the talk in the Vital Villan interview.
1 – How long have you been a Villa fan and how did you first get the Claret & Blue faith?
I got really into football during the world cup in Mexico in 1986, and then developed a fondness for Everton who were domestic top dogs at the time. With my elder brother having already disgraced the family by becoming a bluenose, my dad wasn’t going to let me go astray, and I was taken to Villa Park the following week.
2 – What was your first game?
A 0-0 bore draw at home to Huddersfield Town
3 – What is your most memorable moment as a Villa fan?
There are so many, cup wins, great European nights etc… but I reckon last years 5-1 demolition of Birmingham City has to be up there.
4 – And the worst moment?
Blues first season in the Premier League, going to St Andrews for my first proper derby with expectations of a victory, only to experience a crushing defeat, and all that comes with it!
5 – Who are your favourite current Villa players?
Wilfred Bouma is consistent, hard and goes about his business in the correct fashion. I’m not one for fancy footballers and always prefer a tough tackling quiet man. I think left back is a position that at Aston Villa we can honestly say we match the very best in this country.
6 – Which former player/s are your ultimate heroes?
Paul McGrath is a gimme as everyone who saw him will agree. I always feel when this question is asked to Villa fans it should begin ‘Other than Paul McGrath….’ In recent times I thought Thomas Hitzlsperger was a crowd pleaser, created excitement and anticipation in the stadium and again had the attitude to make him a terrace favorite.
7 – Which player do you think was the worst to ever put on the team colours?
Obviously looking back, you tend to remember the good times, therefore recollection of useless players tends to be recent and the days of David O’Leary and Graham Taylor’s second spell in particular. I seem to remember wondering how we would ever create chances with Mark Kinsella and Oyvind Leonhardson in the engine room, so I’ll go for them. Although in fairness both played at the top level for some years and enjoyed international careers, so what do I know?
8 – What is the best goal you have seen Villa score and which is your favourite game?
The favorite game would be the aforementioned derby or perhaps a League Cup semi final win over Tranmere Rovers in the mid nineties. Best goal could have been Dean Saunders lofted effort against Ipswich around the same era. Being a youngster it seemed like he’d hit it from Great Barr!! But also you don’t perhaps don’t realise it was more luck than judgment.
9 – Best away ground visited?
The Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal is head and shoulders above any other. It leads the way in English football, and whilst I would never want Villa to move away from Villa Park, to replicate the facilities on offer at Arsenal would require starting from scratch I think.
10 – Who would you like to see Villa sign this summer?
Ha ha how long have you got?!!!
Realistically I’d love to see Shaun Wright Philips in a Villa shirt and I also think Robbie Keane would be brilliant at Villa; his ‘homecoming’ is long overdue!!
11 – What are your predictions for us this season in the:
a) League Top 10
b) Europe UEFA Cup Winners
c) Carling Cup Decent Run
d) Fa Cup Undoubtedly get knocked out by Man Utd in the third round.
12 – What is your opinion of Martin O’Neill?
I cannot fault him. I thought at first he was going about things strangely and not as I would’ve expected, particularly his dealings (or lack of) in the transfer market. I wasn’t sure about some signings such as Marlon Harwood and also questioned Curtis Davies’ arrival following his debut. However, results speak for themselves and I now have full faith in him.
13 – What is your opinion of Randy Lerner and the new board?
The interaction and relationship with the support is unique and what Mr. Lerner has done for Villa fans so far is fantastic. We might not be in the Champions League just yet, but with gestures such as the Acorns sponsorship, having General Krulak liaising with supporters and the improvements in and around Villa Park, I have never been so proud, and I know we are the envy of many supporters across the land.
14 – Where do you sit at Villa and are you a season ticket holder?
I now sit in the lower section of The Trinity Road Stand, have been a season ticket holder in the same seat since the stand was built.
15 – And finally (stolen without shame from Vital Arsenal!) if you could invite 4 people connected to Villa, living or dead, to a dinner party, who would they be? And you can add one bit of top totty as well to make the party go with a ‘bang’ ;o)
Randy Lerner
Martin O’Neill
Thomas Hitzlsperger
My Dad
I wouldn’t bother with the totty; we need to concentrate on getting MON and Randy to see ‘Der Hammer’ as Gareth Barry’s replacement and the new major force in our ‘Bright Future’
Up the Villa!
With thanks to…James06
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