Happy birthday to the great man

[manic-road]

Happy birthday Sir Brian, still my favourite all time Villa legend.

[berneboy]

Wishing Bri a very happy birthday, loved and respected always, Mr. Villa.

For those of my generation (same age as Bri) he represents the wonder and joy of our climb back to the top from those 3rd Division days. I sat with him at Bradford City as we won 1-0, saw him direct play v Torquay at 17 (I think), delighted in his two should have been three) goals at Hillsboro when we were promoted and I introduced my now wife to the Villa and was thrilled by 29 shots on goal when he was manager v West Ham, I think.

God bless you, SuperBri.

[richardhubbard]

Picture of him with his 3 very young kids on twitter celebrating his 60th this weekend.

Great man, good manager and obviously superb footballer

[bob rowe]

Happy birthday Sir Brian, the best Villa player I ever saw, legend.

[Simon Ward]

Favourite all time player! Happy Birthday Sir Brian of Little!

[Hopadop]

His playing days were before my time but I loved him as our manager.

Happy Birthday Sir Brian.

I hated it. I was always expecting it to go horribly wrong for him, and I didn't want it to end badly.

[PeterWithesShin]

I love Brian. My first football hero. And still my hero. Just a shame it went so wrong with him as manager. I was worried we'd lose him to England, instead his managerial career went downhill at a shockingly rapid rate. Always struck me as a genuinely nice guy, maybe that was his problem as a manager, he was just too nice and had too much integrity. I love you Brian.


And i'll always pretend that you weren't going to sign for small heath.

[Deano's Mullet]

Happy birthday Brian, I was too young to ever see you as a player but have extremely fond memories of your managerial years. Amazing days, along with BFR my favourite Villa boss ever.

[peter w]

Can't wait for the Brian Little Stand.

[Fuse]

Happy Birthday Sir Brian

Out of interest, anyone around at the time know how many fans we took to Hihgbury vs QPR and also vs Everton at Hillsborough and Old Trafford?

[brontebilly]

maybe losing John Gregory from his backroom staff was a significant part in Little's struggles at the end of his Villa reign?

He certainly had issues with cretins like Collymore and Curcic, and Milosevic (though wouldnt put Savo in the same category as other two).

Maintaining discipline probably wasnt his strongest attribute as a manager, which begs the question why he thought he could get the best out of Collymore and Curcic. These werent the only players acting like clowns off the pitch at the time, Charles, Bosnich, Draper maybe more were causing problems too if I recall.

[Matt C]

I think he had some issues in his private life too around the same time didn't he?

Still, a good tenure as manager they were fun times.

[kipeye]

God, really, another marker in the all too quick passing of time. That night at QPR (well, Highbury actually) is etched on my brain as one of my best as a teenager ever. Football wise, that is!!!

Me too-that was probably my best ever game as a fan. Old Trafford final was good too, but Highbury was truly special.

[ez]

My favourite villa player and one of our best managers. Such a pity he wasn't in charge when Randy was splashing the cash.

[Steve kirk]

One of my happiest times watching our Brian was when we beat QPR 3 0 at Highbury in 1977 in the league cup semi final, he got a brilliant hat trick, what a player and what a great night.