We have been blessed with many talented players at Villa Park who are remembered with great affection on the terraces. In all the time I have followed the claret and blue, however, only one player has seemed irreplaceable.
He wasn’t a prolific goal scorer a la Platt. He didn’t float balls half the length of the [...]
Legends come and legends go, but none more so than that which surrounds the wearer of the number 8 shirt. Stories handed down over the ages tell that the original number was sewn on with a thread of pure gold, and that its wearer will be blessed with a special God-given talent.
Little, Shaw, and now [...]
THE STORY OF THE WORLD CUP 1986
1. Bryan Robson was England captain.
2. His understudy was a Villa player who came into contention late on, after an outstanding season.
3. England played badly at first.
4. Robson got injured, and his place was taken by the Villa player.
5. The team eventually persuaded Bobby Robson to change his tactics.
6. [...]
Ten Unsung Heroes Of Aston Villa
1) Bosko Jankovic – goals for Middlesbrough v Ipswich which won the league.
2) Unknown Gypsy Woman – the first of many to curse at Sty Andrews
3) Terry Darracott – lovely near post dummy allowing God in for the Winner, 1977
4) Brendan Batson – nicely weighted back pass letting in Withe [...]
Few people can take the tabloid press seriously any more, and with little wonder, as telling what really happened comes a poor second to finding some sensationalist angle with which to sell more copies to a public seeking its daily fix of sex’n’ horror. But with every tiny incident blown out of proportion, can you [...]
In my time watching Aston Villa there have been many players who possessed the qualities which made them heroes to supporters. The flair of Tony Daley, Gordon Cowans’ exquisite skills, the goalscoring ability of Andy Gray and Peter Withe. And above them all, the most supremely talented footballer it has ever been my privilege to [...]
from issue #69 August 1999
Since before Thatcher sent in the cavalry to break the heads of the miners, it has been considered rather beyond the pale for the common people of England to challenge the sway of capitalists and plutocrats; and for this reason Ellis’s position will remain for ever more inviolate. And alas, all [...]
*Please note that none of the sentences below should be taken as linked in any way what-so ever.
I hate the fact that few players have any loyalty any more.
I hate Dwight Yorke.
I hate bung takers.
I hate Ron Atkinson.
I hate arrogant bastards who refuse to play.
I hate Pierre Van Hooijdonk.
I hate the ridiculous wages of players [...]
