Ugo Ehiogu - RIP

[Jimbo]

Great stuff, AC.

[ACVilla]

Now that things have calmed down a bit and I've had chance to reflect I am somewhat overwhelmed with sadness re Ugo.

A 44 year old guy with a wife and young kids, fit as a fiddle and by all accounts and eulogies posted a top notch guy, taken from us far too soon.

I loved football in that era, it was still, just about, a game for the fans. Villa were good, attendances were great, the atmospheres were electric. Chanting Ugo's name before each and every game and him applauding The Holte.

I often look back on his infamous performance against Norwich, still comfortably the worst professional performance I've ever witnessed. To come back from that the way he did is a real measure of the man. I was there with my old man and brother. I don't really see eye to eye with both any more. A sad situation with some great memories.

I don't get down much, if at all anymore. I miss the Villa. I miss that life. I have a near 3 year old lad who appears to be very keen on all sports. I'm hoping he can awaken my passion again. I want to have that card back in my wallet. I want to have that buzz when I wake up on a Saturday (or Sunday, or Friday morning) where me and my son can indulge in a joint passion.

I want him to see that banner displayed in The Holte and have him ask me who it is. "Let me tell you a story son, it all started with a game against Norwich".

I'll be back. I know in my heart I will but by God for a team of Ugo's. What would you give?

Rest in peace big man. There have been some touching tributes this weekend and I hope your family has gained some appreciation of how you were loved the football world over.

[wittonwarrior]

Well down to Small Heath for not sabotaging the applauses today - sorry if  it was ever in doubt.

[itbrvilla]

Now that things have calmed down a bit and I've had chance to reflect I am somewhat overwhelmed with sadness re Ugo.

A 44 year old guy with a wife and young kids, fit as a fiddle and by all accounts and eulogies posted a top notch guy, taken from us far too soon.

I loved football in that era, it was still, just about, a game for the fans. Villa were good, attendances were great, the atmospheres were electric. Chanting Ugo's name before each and every game and him applauding The Holte.

I often look back on his infamous performance against Norwich, still comfortably the worst professional performance I've ever witnessed. To come back from that the way he did is a real measure of the man. I was there with my old man and brother. I don't really see eye to eye with both any more. A sad situation with some great memories.

I don't get down much, if at all anymore. I miss the Villa. I miss that life. I have a near 3 year old lad who appears to be very keen on all sports. I'm hoping he can awaken my passion again. I want to have that card back in my wallet. I want to have that buzz when I wake up on a Saturday (or Sunday, or Friday morning) where me and my son can indulge in a joint passion.

I want him to see that banner displayed in The Holte and have him ask me who it is. "Let me tell you a story son, it all started with a game against Norwich".

I'll be back. I know in my heart I will but by God for a team of Ugo's. What would you give?

Rest in peace big man. There have been some touching tributes this weekend and I hope your family has gained some appreciation of how you were loved the football world over.

Sums it up for me too.  It was the  memories of my happiest time as a Villa fans that came flooding back.

[Holte L2]

I went to pieces during the video on the big screen's of Ugo's goals.  I bloody loved him at Villa and was truly  annoyed when we sold him and replaced him with Alpay!
I thought h'd come back to us in his coaching capacity and we could put to bed the bad receptions he recieved when he came back with Boro.I'd like to think he knew how much we loved him. It never felt right when he left us. Bit like Yorkie in that regard. He was a collosous and a lynch pin of the sides that were a  part of my growing up and happiest times as a Villa fan.

Anyway, I'm waffling now.  Rest In Piece, Ugo. 

[eamonn]

You're not - you speak for a lot of us with your what you said.

Given their longevity at the club during an exciting time of growth, success and expectation; when the likes of Ugo/Yorke, (even their other good mate Bozzie), all left, a part of all our Villa-supporting way disappeared for those of us who were around in the 90's.

[Legion]

[saunders_heroes]

God that's horrible.

[eamonn]

Hey! No need!

I thought Alan Shearer might have had the humility to express contrition for the time he nearly blinded Ugo or at least look red-faced when talking about him at half-time during Saturday's game.
But probably not the time or place. In fairness, he did say he had met him at PFA(?) events before so he may well have apologised before.

Ehiogu's eye
Sat, May 1, 1999

Sports injuries are never for the squeamish, but even by the standards of habitual leg breaks, snapped ligaments, fractured cheekbones and sundry stitches, Aston Villa defender Ugo Ehiogu's (left) eye injury is gruesome.
He needed two operations to save the sight in his eye after being caught in the face by Alan Shearer's boot in a league match. He hasn't started a game since January, but Villa boss John Gregory is thinking of including him against Manchester United to face old team-mate Dwight Yorke today.

Gregory revealed the details of the damage. "It was a very bad injury. Ugo had to have the skin on his head cut and rolled right back so the surgeon could get at the back of his eye and perform a delicate operation.
"Ugo is left with a scar from ear to ear. At the moment it is quite vivid and looks like he is wearing a pair of headphones. The specialist's report is good and his eye is clearing. We thought he might need a third operation."

[cdbearsfan]

God that's horrible.

Have to agree. It looks like something from a horror film.

And I did think that Shearer seemed quite upset and respectful when talking about Ugo on Saturday. I think he came to know him fairly well.

[The Laughing Policeman]

Can't see that this has been posted anywhere. Ugo's wife Gemma has a JustGiving page set up to start a charity in his name  to give all kids the chance to play football. It was something he was working on before he passed away.
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/UgoEhiogu
Go on a tenner wont break you.

[Holte L2]

You're not - you speak for a lot of us with your what you said.

Given their longevity at the club during an exciting time of growth, success and expectation; when the likes of Ugo/Yorke, (even their other good mate Bozzie), all left, a part of all our Villa-supporting way disappeared for those of us who were around in the 90's.

Thanks Eamon.

[simon ward 50]

Not been on this site for a while. But certainly RIP Ugo.

[dcdavecollett]

A marvellous defender, probably the strongest I've ever seen.

[Woofles The Wonder Dog]

Good turn out for his funeral. Sniff.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-39875083