Former Villa manager Ron Atkinson is the next big name to take part in our live chat series when he answers questions from fans on Friday.Big Ron celebrates his 72nd birthday on Friday and to mark the occasion he will be logging on to interact with supporters in a 30 minute chat session from 10am.It is a great chance to quiz the charismatic ex-manager about his successful period in the Villa Park hotseat.Atkinson managed Villa between June 1991 and November 1994, having joined from Sheffield Wednesday.The former West Bromwich Albion and Manchester United chief guided Villa to second place in the inaugural season of the Premier League.But his biggest triumph came against the Red Devils in 1994 when Villa lifted the League Cup after a 3-1 win at Wembley.One of football's real characters, Big Ron has plenty of stories to tell from a distinguished career as a player and manager.The Big Ron live chat is the latest in a popular series which has seen the likes of General Krulak, Darren Bent, Ashley Young, Ian Taylor and Carlos Cuellar log on to interact with supporters.
10:36 Ron Atkinson: Thank you very much everyone. It's been great to take part in this live chat.Friday March 18, 2011 10:36 Ron Atkinson10:34 Ron Atkinson: Without question. Villa have by far the best squad out of all the teams in that bottom half.Friday March 18, 2011 10:34 Ron Atkinson10:34 [Comment From Chico Chico : ] Are we going to stay up?Friday March 18, 2011 10:34 Chico10:33 Ron Atkinson: I think it will be a tussle between Darren Bent and Andy Carroll to be England's striker against Wales. He guarantees you goals. He is always a good bet for the first goal. I haven't seen too much of Makoun. But with somebody like him, I have this theory that if you sign somebody you have worked with in the past you can't go wrong. I like the look of Kyle Walker - he loves to get forward. I only saw bits of Bradley during the World Cup. But they all look good additions to the squad.Friday March 18, 2011 10:33 Ron Atkinson10:30 [Comment From Ciaran Ciaran : ] Hi Ron- What have you made of Villas jan signings?Friday March 18, 2011 10:30 Ciaran10:29 Ron Atkinson: I've got no idea at the moment. I said I'd do a couple of games before the end of the season but I'm not sure which games yet.Friday March 18, 2011 10:29 Ron Atkinson10:29 [Comment From Chico Chico : ] So, when are we going to see you back in the commentary box -I miss you!Friday March 18, 2011 10:29 Chico10:28 Ron Atkinson: Just earlier when we were talking about best players, he has done a lot better. Last season he hadn't had a pre-season and I have always believed that when players don't have a pre-season it takes ages for them to get into it. He has been one of Villa's best players without doubt.Friday March 18, 2011 10:28 Ron Atkinson10:27 [Comment From Luke Daw Luke Daw : ] what do you make of Downing performances this season, hes been great this season and has worked well with Albrighton.Friday March 18, 2011 10:27 Luke Daw10:27 Ron Atkinson: From time to time. I haven't been as much this season. Funnily enough the last time I saw them play was at the Blues.Friday March 18, 2011 10:27 Ron Atkinson10:26 [Comment From Villa pat Villa pat : ] Do you get to Villa Park much these days?Friday March 18, 2011 10:26 Villa pat10:26 Ron Atkinson: Definitely. That is one thing that does improve with age!Friday March 18, 2011 10:26 Ron Atkinson10:26 [Comment From Kirsty Kirsty : ] A big Happy Birthday Big Ron! Hope you have a fab day! Do you still have your fabulous singing voice? Your a legend!!!Friday March 18, 2011 10:26 Kirsty10:25 Ron Atkinson: It would be a toss up between Ashley Young and Marc Albrighton. Young seems to have enjoyed that free role he has had and Albrighton for the reasons I mentioned earlier.Friday March 18, 2011 10:25 Ron Atkinson10:24 [Comment From Luke Daw Luke Daw : ] who do you think Villa best player has been this season?Friday March 18, 2011 10:24 Luke Daw10:24 Ron Atkinson: I haven't had any yet!!! My mate Wally who is 90 made me a bacon and egg sandwich this morning though!Friday March 18, 2011 10:24 Ron Atkinson10:23 [Comment From Northallerton Villan Northallerton Villan : ] Happy birthday Ron. And what's the best pressie you've been given today for your birthday?Friday March 18, 2011 10:23 Northallerton Villan10:22 Ron Atkinson: The obvious one - and it is a cliche - you've just got to practice and listen to people who know something about the game. There is no magic formula. What I would say as well is make sure you enjoy it.Friday March 18, 2011 10:22 Ron Atkinson10:20 [Comment From AVFC1 AVFC1 : ] What are your top 3 tips to a kid starting out in the game?Friday March 18, 2011 10:20 AVFC110:20 Ron Atkinson: No - that never really came in to it. None that I can recall anyway.Friday March 18, 2011 10:20 Ron Atkinson10:19 [Comment From Stafford Villan Stafford Villan : ] Any unusual pre-match rituals you can tell us about?Friday March 18, 2011 10:19 Stafford Villan10:19 Ron Atkinson: I don't really have one. I was nearly going to say Augusta but I've never played there!!!! I do like Forest of Arden on a sunny day but I haven't got any particular favourites.Friday March 18, 2011 10:19 Ron Atkinson10:18 [Comment From AVFC1 AVFC1 : ] I know you play a lot of golf - what is your favourite course?Friday March 18, 2011 10:18 AVFC110:18 Ron Atkinson: Several of them look good players. Clark looks a powerhouse whichever position he plays. I really do like Albrighton - he can deliver a cross and he reminds me of an old fashioned winger.Friday March 18, 2011 10:18 Ron Atkinson10:17 [Comment From lerneravfc lerneravfc : ] happy birthday big ron!!which of the villa youngsters coming through at the moment are you most excited about?Friday March 18, 2011 10:17 lerneravfc10:16 Ron Atkinson: I would say Ugo Ehiogu. There is a bit of a story behind it. We played West Brom in the FA Youth Cup. There was this kid and he started at the back, went into midfield and then went up front and almost won the game on his own. It transpired he wasn't going to sign for West Brom. So we snapped him up and what a player he turned out to be.Friday March 18, 2011 10:16 Ron Atkinson10:13 [Comment From Villa 3 - Wolves 0 Villa 3 - Wolves 0 : ] Happy Birthday Big Ron!! Who do you rate as the best signing you ever made for Villa?Friday March 18, 2011 10:13 Villa 3 - Wolves 010:12 Ron Atkinson: From time to time I do. I came out of management to go into full time TV a while ago. It is match days I miss the most. I used to love match days.Friday March 18, 2011 10:12 Ron Atkinson10:12 [Comment From Jcthetruth Jcthetruth : ] do you miss management?Friday March 18, 2011 10:12 Jcthetruth10:11 Ron Atkinson: The best player I ever managed anywhere - and I've just received a text back from him - is Bryan Robson. He could get in any team. Sad to hear about his health problems and hope he gets well soon. As for Villa, I would have to say without doubt Paul McGrath. He is also one of the best I have ever managed.Friday March 18, 2011 10:11 Ron Atkinson10:09 [Comment From Simon Simon : ] Who was the best player that you ever managed?Friday March 18, 2011 10:09 Simon10:09 Ron Atkinson: Everyone will point to the Dalian Atkinson goal at Wimbledon particularly because of the celebration! There was Dean Saunders hitting one from near the half-way line over the Ipswich goalkeeper too. I can remember Phil King against Inter Milan too, slotting the winner past Pagliuca.Friday March 18, 2011 10:09 Ron Atkinson10:07 [Comment From ivor ivor : ] happy birthday big ron legend.i gotta ask you what is your all time fave goal during your time as villa managerFriday March 18, 2011 10:07 ivor10:07 Ron Atkinson: Enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is free!Friday March 18, 2011 10:07 Ron Atkinson10:07 [Comment From Villa 1874 Villa 1874 : ] 72 Ron, you dont look a day over 40! What keeps you looking so young?Friday March 18, 2011 10:07 Villa 187410:06 Ron Atkinson: Brian Little won the League Cup and got to a semi-final so he did very well at the club. Graham Taylor got them to second place in the old First Division so both did great things.Friday March 18, 2011 10:06 Ron Atkinson10:06 Ron Atkinson: Eric Houghton signed me at Villa which I will always be grateful for.Friday March 18, 2011 10:06 Ron Atkinson10:05 Ron Atkinson: Ron Saunders' first job in management was at Oxford and I was captain at the time. If you were looking simply at records he had an oustanding record at Villa - league champions, won the League Cup twice and it was basically his team got to the European Cup final although Tony Barton doesn't always get the credit he deserves for that.Friday March 18, 2011 10:05 Ron Atkinson10:03 [Comment From Walsall Villan Walsall Villan : ] You were voted in Villa's top five all time bosses on the website. What do you make of the other four?Friday March 18, 2011 10:03 Walsall Villan10:03 Ron Atkinson: Obviously it would have to be the League Cup final when we beat Man United. I still think that was probably the best team Sir Alex Ferguson has had there. Leading up to the final we lost our form a little bit but on the day everything turned out right for us. We went in with a different game plan and it all turned out well for us.Friday March 18, 2011 10:03 Ron Atkinson10:02 [Comment From BAZZA BAZZA : ] HI Big Ron. Miss you! What was your best memory of Villa?Friday March 18, 2011 10:02 BAZZA10:01 Ron Atkinson: Hi folks. Great to be here. Looking forward to answering your questions.Friday March 18, 2011 10:01 Ron Atkinson09:59 Dan AVFC: Get your questions coming in and we'll try and get through as many as possible.Friday March 18, 2011 09:59 Dan AVFC09:59 Dan AVFC: Hi folks. Welcome to the latest edition of our Live Chat series. Big Ron will be with us shortly.
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Topic: BFR Live (Read 3542 times)
