World Class Villa Players

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Only one charity game but true world class wearing the shirt.

[Simon Page]

McGrath, without question, was one of the best ever. We've had precious few of those in my time but some who were among the best in the world in their time.

Platt was definitely one of them. 89/90 made him; it was the time he went from a hard worker with a great footballing brain to a proper leader who could completely boss games. He proved it beyond any doubt with what he did in Italy and with England.

Yorke was sublime. So much natural talent and you could put him in any team and he shone. Another who, while not in a greatest of all time squad, would have walked into any side in the world from 94 onwards and been in the starting 11 more often than not.

Sid, Little and Shaw had awareness and skill that made them stand above most whenever they were fit. Don't know if they would have gone beyond that but for injuries but, again, there aren't many sides they wouldn't have got into in their pomp.

Andy Gray was a phenomenal number 9. I'd say Shearer was undoubtedly world class and that Gray was his 70s/80s doppelganger.

Dennis Mortimer is worth a shout as he was the epitome of that dominant midfielder the Germans in particular used to spew out back in the day. Of his type, he was definitely up there. Similarly, John Gidman elevated full back play to a level few in his position had at the time. Now there are loads of Gidmans, but not so many when he came to prominence.

I wouldn't argue against any of that bunch being called world class. I reckon they could, for a decent chunk of their careers, have got a gig anywhere. In today's world where billionaires collect players for fun, this lot wouldn't have just found themselves being paid shed loads, they would have been playing regularly in top sides too.

Barry and Milner come close as they are so consistently excellent at what they do, even if that isn't usually edge of the seat stuff. Ashley Young has impressed with the way he has held down a spot at Old Trafford even though he's not in his favoured role of star man. Many players who are Billy Big Bollocks go missing when they move to a club that has bigger names, but he hasn't. You wouldn't find many who'd dub these three world class, but it's amazing how long they've excelled at the very top of the game in an era where managers get to just spend with wild abandon. Southgate probably would have come into this category too. It's the consistency that marks this bunch out.

[Damo70]

Only one charity game but true world class wearing the shirt.

I was at the game. A Friday night wasn't it? But I wouldn't exactly call Nicky Cross 'true world class'.

[Pete3206]

Only one charity game but true world class wearing the shirt.

I was at the game. A Friday night wasn't it? But I wouldn't exactly call Nicky Cross 'true world class'.

But Des Bremner? A yes from me.

[Damo70]

I was a bit concerned that in my attempt to make a joke about Nicky Cross, I may have mistakenly got my Albion players mixed up and instead shown a total lack of respect to his lookalike, the genuinely world class Barry Cowdrill.

[Matt Collins]

World class isn’t a clear definition

If it means could play in any side in the world, since I started following villa it’s probably McGrath, platt and yorke

Benteke, young, Bosnich had spells not too far off that but didn’t sustain it enough

[villan from luton]

I would say only McGrath is truly world class if I am being honest.

That being said, I am sure but for an obnoxious tosser called Ian Bowyer Gary Shaw could have become that. He was a superb footballer and such a shame his career was finished by an injury that could have been avoided.

Similarly I think the same re Gordon Cowans but the English press at the time had such a love in about Glenn Hoddle it was untrue and neither of them could get a game at times lol. There again, Dennis Mortimer never got a cap

[luke95]

Only one charity game but true world class wearing the shirt.

I was at the game. A Friday night wasn't it? But I wouldn't exactly call Nicky Cross 'true world class'.

But Des Bremner? A yes from me.

#7 ? .. is it not Ray Walker ?

[Tayls_7]

Only one charity game but true world class wearing the shirt.

I was at the game. A Friday night wasn't it? But I wouldn't exactly call Nicky Cross 'true world class'.

But Des Bremner? A yes from me.

#7 ? .. is it not Ray Walker ?

You can only say what you see.

[Damo70]

I was slightly embarrassed as a kid when my mum saw Ray Walker either in a picture or on telly and announced "ooh, he is good looking". I can't think of Ray Walker without hearing in my head Alan Parry's Port Vale v Spurs commentary, "ooh Ray Walker". To be fair he was describing his goal as opposed to agreeing with my mum about his looks.

It is Ray Walker, as although it looks like Des Bremner from the back he had left earlier that season.

[Tayls_7]

Allan Evans is in the background, close to the, er, crowd.

[LeeB]

Only one charity game but true world class wearing the shirt.

I was at the game. A Friday night wasn't it? But I wouldn't exactly call Nicky Cross 'true world class'.

But Des Bremner? A yes from me.

#7 ? .. is it not Ray Walker ?

You can only say what you see.

It’s good but it’s not right.