Paul McGrath - don't worry

[Deano's Mullet]

Mcgrath header at Forest, think it was under Big Ron, wild celebrations.

the one at home against Forest the same season was better, BFR described him as "coming right out of the clouds" when he scored the winning header. The winner at Forest was vital at that point in the title race and he'd only been named PFA player of the year a day or too before I believe.

[Hookeysmith]

Right  behind the goal at forest and he was over a foot higher than everyone else. Simply the best footballer I have ever seen in 40 years following villa or anyone else. Most fans pay their money eye to see fancy dan forwards score world class goals, I enjoyed watching a truly great defender. He made the impossible look ordinary. I remember feeling ill when the London press tried to liken ledley king to him as he could not have hoped to have laced his boots.

[Steve67]

What I perhaps should have said is that Benteke is the only one from the current squad worth watching in comparison. Not compared him directly to McGrath. That's just crazy talk!!

[Legion]

What I perhaps should have said is that Benteke is the only one from the current squad worth watching in comparison. Not compared him directly to McGrath. That's just crazy talk!!

Fair enough point.

[barrysleftfoot]

 For me the best central defender of all time, for any club.Magnificent defender.

 2 things about God.....was he quick?........i don't know, i never saw him have to sprint, he was always there.Don't know if he was quick or not, he didn't need to be.

 2ndly, his heading.When he headed the ball out it would reach the half way line, every other defender i have ever seen would be happy to get it just out the penalty area.

 Magnificent player, and an absolute honour and joy to see such a fine player in a Villa shirt.

[AV82EC]

My best recollection of him was an away game at Leeds, I think it was on 92-93 and Deanos debut. Leeds had won the title the season before and were a very decent outfit at the time but McGrath led the defence superbly and had Lee Chapman in his pocket throughout beating Chapman in the air to absolutely everything. The yorkies were going mad at the ref but McGrath dodgy knees and all just seemed to levitate above Chapman. I still see some of those leaps in my day dream moments today.....

[rob_bridge]

There are many contenders for Villa's second best player.

There is only one contender for the best ever.

[dave.woodhall]

There are many contenders for Villa's second best player.

There is only one contender for the best ever.

Billy Walker.

[newtonsballs]

Eric Houghton?

[dave.woodhall]

Eric Houghton?

He said Billy Walker was the best, and he'd have known.

[E I Adio]

Eric Houghton?

He said Billy Walker was the best, and he'd have known.

So did my dad and he'd have known as well.

[OzVilla]

We were spoilt in the mid 90s with likes of Yorke, Atkinson but this guy the best player I ever seen in a villa shirt by miles.

I cannot remember the game but it was he was in 1 on 1 with a striker and he had given the guys 5 yards and the other the player in his pocket within seconds.

The way he read the game was immense and was a very very special talent

Oh for the love of God to remember who that player was.... That's moment is my endearing memory of him.... He looked to have no chance but made the ground and won the ball

There was the one against QPR when he not only made a tackle that was impossible, he also won the ball and played it out. Their supporters applauded.

Dave... Do you recall who the player was? I seem to remember he was a very nippy player

I think it was 1991-92 so it might have been Les Ferdinand.

I remember him giving Ronnie Rosenthal and 5 yard head start at Anfield in 92/93 in a 1-0 win and him taking the ball effortlessly off him and clearing. 

That night on MOTD John Motson described it on commentary by saying "Paul McGrath, what a colossus he is".  I've never forgot that. I could give countless other examples if I wanted to.

For those younger Villa fans who never saw him play it'd be easy to think we're all over egging this, getting overly nostalgic about a player in a "it was better in my day'' kind of way.

Believe me when I say we're not.  A superb player.

[rob_bridge]

There are many contenders for Villa's second best player.

There is only one contender for the best ever.

Billy Walker.

This is a Paul McGrath thread.

[dave.woodhall]

There are many contenders for Villa's second best player.

There is only one contender for the best ever.

Billy Walker.

This is a Paul McGrath thread.

And we're known for keeping to the subject on here.

[pauliewalnuts]

There used to be, on youtube, a clip of the Ireland - Italy game in the 1994 World Cup, showing just McGrath's tackles.

Truly staggering, an absolute masterclass in defending.