Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Villa Memories => Topic started by: John Deehan on July 30, 2010, 10:58:11 PM
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I am sure this has been done many times before, but there may be someone out there who hasn't posted this yet !
My first match was away to Arsenal in 1978, when I was 7, and we won 1-0 with an own goal by Malcolm McDonald I believe.
My main memories of it are seeing the pitch as I stepped into the ground, wondering why I couldn't hear Brian Moore commentating, and the fact it was so muddy that Villa came out in a clean shirts for the second half !
I am taking my six year old daughter to her first match tomorrow and like me it's at Arsenal, but unlike me, she wants to see Arsenal ! I made the mistake of letting her choose her own team and she didn't choose the Villa ! Her older brother is a Gooner too.
Am I allowed to post here again after these confessions ?!
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my 16 month daughter will be a villain so it nearly evens it out. my 1st game was villa v liverpool i think 1983 i was 8 years old and we lost 4 - 2 but it didnt matter because it was just fantastic to be there. i remember walking up the main steps of the old trinity and such a huge green pitch.
for the game i kept expecting someone from the back of the stand to be throwing darts at me because thats what i heard happened at games it didnt . mind you second game was villa v bluse at st andrews we lost 3 nil enough said
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Villa 2-2 Millwall 1988-89 opening day of the season.
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Villa 2-1 Reading 31 Oct 87. Apparently the winner was a screamer. I can't remember it.
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Sorry, Ive been meaning to do this for a long time . Villa v Cardiff City in season 1959/1960 I was nine and stood on the witton end. saw a villa win 2 0Hitchens got both big crowd top of the table clash div2 both sides promoted. I think both goals scored at Holte end difficult to see Foggy day.
Hooked
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October 1966 we beat Leeds at home 3-0, immediately hooked and didnt miss a home game in about the next 15-20 years.
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I'm sure I went to a couple of matches in 1976, but I don't remember them too well.
First game I remember was Villa 3 Port Vale 0 in (I think) 1977.
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My main memories of it are seeing the pitch as I stepped into the ground, wondering why I couldn't hear Brian Moore commentating, and the fact it was so muddy that Villa came out in a clean shirts for the second half !
I started going with my Dad in the mid 70s. We always used to sit in the Witton, and the one thing which sticks in my mind like it was yesterday, the image that really struck me, was getting to the top of the stairs and seeing the incredibly green pitch in front of me.
Those are the things you don't forget.
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Villa 2-1 Reading 31 Oct 87. Apparently the winner was a screamer. I can't remember it.
My first league game was around then, v Blackburn. Don't remember much about it, think Aspinall scored and it was 1-1.
The second was better, a month later v Crystal Palace. 4-1 with a Walters hat trick, I think that was the result that made people raise their eyebrows (I base this on someone on the bus home who asked us the score) as our home form was poor up to then and Palace had beaten a certain dirty neighbour 6-0 at the Sty not long before!
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My main memories of it are seeing the pitch as I stepped into the ground, wondering why I couldn't hear Brian Moore commentating, and the fact it was so muddy that Villa came out in a clean shirts for the second half !
I started going with my Dad in the mid 70s. We always used to sit in the Witton, and the one thing which sticks in my mind like it was yesterday, the image that really struck me, was getting to the top of the stairs and seeing the incredibly green pitch in front of me.
Those are the things you don't forget.
I agree with you Paulie. My first glimpse of the pitch as I went up the steps underneath that white wall on the left side of the Holte always gave me a tingle of excitement. I still enjoy my first view of the pitch even now as a mid-40's curmudgeon!
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I was 9 years old in 1966 and we started in the Witton Lane stand, the smell beneath the stand is what sticks in my memory. I think it was a mix of Bovril and nicotine.
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As previous posters have mentioned,the smell & sights on match day
have a real affect on you as a youngster,
For me spending time looking at all the lapel badges,silk scarves
& the latest sew on Villa patches, that the bloke was selling out of his suitcase outside the Holte , & end up buying a claret & blue hankie for my crombie top pocket!
My 1st game , April 72, v Torquay , 5-1 , Brian Little hat trick,
I thought , this is great, it must be like this every week, However..........
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2-1 win over Leicester in February 1988. Allan Evans and Mark Lillis scored. The goals are on YouTube but I can't seem to find them.
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Villa 2 Ipswich 0. Dwight Yorke diving header at the far post after lovely play by Staunton and Froggatt on the left. Then THAT goal from Deano !!
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Villa 2 Ipswich 0. Dwight Yorke diving header at the far post after lovely play by Staunton and Froggatt on the left. Then THAT goal from Deano !!
What a first match!
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My 1st game , April 72, v Torquay , 5-1 , Brian Little hat trick,
I thought , this is great, it must be like this every week, However..........
This was Brian Littles debut and he scored just the one, the hat tricks followed later.
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Growing up my family was a mix of Villa fans, Blues fans and Wolves fans (plus nowadays a Baggie as a brother-in-law) but as my Nan was a Villa fan that's where my loyalties lay. However, my Dad had other ideas.
So, the first ever game I attended was at the Molineux, my old man being a Wolves fan. Saw the black and gold play against Fulham who had Best and Marsh playing - even unfit and nearing their dotage they were a class above the rest of the players on the pitch.
Next game was on a trip to London, one of my cousins took me to a Spurs v Arsenal game later that season.
My third game was a Villa game at home, think an uncle took me. Don't remember the opposition, all I can recall was my feeling of awe at the size and sound of the Holte End and how magnificent it was to be in the cathedral that is Villa Park. That sealed the deal - and so began 30 odd years of ecstacy and agony.
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Leicester at home 1975 - My first hero scored the equaliser - Ray Graydon
Still remember looking at the holte end and thinking it looked like Mount Everest
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My main memories of it are seeing the pitch as I stepped into the ground, wondering why I couldn't hear Brian Moore commentating, and the fact it was so muddy that Villa came out in a clean shirts for the second half !
I started going with my Dad in the mid 70s. We always used to sit in the Witton, and the one thing which sticks in my mind like it was yesterday, the image that really struck me, was getting to the top of the stairs and seeing the incredibly green pitch in front of me.
Those are the things you don't forget.
I agree with you Paulie. My first glimpse of the pitch as I went up the steps underneath that white wall on the left side of the Holte always gave me a tingle of excitement. I still enjoy my first view of the pitch even now as a mid-40's curmudgeon!
Total agree about the steps on the left side of the Holte
First game for me was West ham at home first game of the season in 1976.
Boiling hot day, 40,000 crowd, nil nil at half time then Gray and Little both scored two each in front of the Holte
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Mansfield v Villa in the old 3rd div.
i was living in Mansfield at the time. all i can rememmber is that Villa fans just took over the whole ground.
think it was a draw, when we needed a win for promotion
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March 1997 vs West Ham
My name was announced on the tannoy at half-time
(my first visit to VP was at Euro 96 - Switzerland vs Holland)
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Growing up my family was a mix of Villa fans, Blues fans and Wolves fans (plus nowadays a Baggie as a brother-in-law) but as my Nan was a Villa fan that's where my loyalties lay. However, my Dad had other ideas.
So, the first ever game I attended was at the Molineux, my old man being a Wolves fan. Saw the black and gold play against Fulham who had Best and Marsh playing - even unfit and nearing their dotage they were a class above the rest of the players on the pitch.
Next game was on a trip to London, one of my cousins took me to a Spurs v Arsenal game later that season.
My third game was a Villa game at home, think an uncle took me. Don't remember the opposition, all I can recall was my feeling of awe at the size and sound of the Holte End and how magnificent it was to be in the cathedral that is Villa Park. That sealed the deal - and so began 30 odd years of ecstacy and agony.
my old man (the very same as above as beijing villa is my bro) took me to see Ireland vs England schoolboy international at VP some time in the very early 80s( Molineux not being fit for human consumption then)
I remember standing there with a green rosette on the old wooden fold down seats thinking "this is it I AM HOME"( brings a tear to my eye to remember that feeling) :'(
Villa and ireland ever since
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My first game was (I think) in the 95/96 season when Little was in charge. I was lucky enough to be on my mate's season ticket but we lost 3-1 to Martin O'Neill's Leicester City. I actually held a grudge and hadn't forgiven him until he became our boss! But I'll never forget how privileged I felt to be sat near the front of the Holte End and just the size, beauty and noise of the stadium.
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I cant remember my very first game, it would have been with my Dad in the early 60's. He's sadly no longer with us so I cant ask him. The first game I went to under my own steam was home to Rochdale in 1971, we won 1-0. I'm sure someone out there can tell me who scored - possibly David Gibson?
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April 71, Geoff Vowden ? ex Nose
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Walsall away 1971 first game with dad and my brother sadley my dad is no longer with us and my brother now is a manure fan.
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April 71, Geoff Vowden ? ex Nose
Could have been. Next home game was a 3-4 defeat at the hands of Wrexham
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Villa v Spurs January 1996. 2-1 to the villa, Yorke and God scored for us, Ruel Fox for them. Upper Trinity down near the the then away end. Not a bad way to start!
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0-0 v the baggies in 79-80 if i remember rightly.
Only thing I can remember about the game is someone (Morley?) crossed from the Witton Line side of the ground and Tony Godden struggling to get back as the ball drifted onto the cross bar in front of the North Stand.
Big thanks to my former junior school friend Martin and his grandad for the intro to Villa Park, seats level with the edge of the penalty area downstairs in the old Trintiy Road stand
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Villa v Australia at Villa Park. Could any history buffs or anyone better at using the internet than me find out the date, score etc?
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Villa v Australia at Villa Park. Could any history buffs or anyone better at using the internet than me find out the date, score etc?
About 1983-84ish. A Sunday morning game, I think it was 1-1. Tony Daley made his debut.
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Villa v Australia at Villa Park. Could any history buffs or anyone better at using the internet than me find out the date, score etc?
About 1983-84ish. A Sunday morning game, I think it was 1-1. Tony Daley made his debut.
It was a Sunday morning game, less than 24 hours after a Division One home game. I thought we'd won 2-0, and that it was during 1984-85.
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You might be right. I know it was cold and Peter Withe was in one of the Trinity Road boxes with a pint of what looked like lager.
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Ta, i've always wondered when it was. Cheers Dad, I was 5.
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My fourth birthday (March 1951). I have vague memories of it being against Blackpool and Stan Matthews played. Could be wrong...but then again, I'm an owld bugger.
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I have vague recollections of us playing at home to Chelsea, not sure of the score, but i think we may have lost, around 97/98. The first game I can remember clearly is the Bolton semi-final at Wembley in 2000. A UEFA Cup tie against Celta Vigo around the same period also brings back memories.
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Dont know when my first game was but my first as a season ticket holder was against boro when we won 3 1 and alan thompson scored a free kick. Last time i heard he was at the mighty celtic, whatever happened to him??
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1966-67 season, a 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal. My late dad took me and we sat in the upper Trinity.
Poor game, poor Villa side who were relegated that season. I must have enjoyed something about it though, 'cos I'm still going!
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First home game of the 72/73 season against Huddersfield.
We'd just come up from Div 3 whereas they'd just dropped down from Div 1.
I was only 5 at the time and thought any side who'd been in the 1st Division must be good so I feared the worst. In the event it was a comfortable 2-0 win with goals from Vowden and Graydon who was my first Villa hero before the man from Durham came to the fore.
My first away game followed 3 weeks later at Cardiff , which was also a 2-0 win.
I was sat behind the goal and my only memory of the game apart from our classic yellow and blue away kit is a very feeble penalty by Willie Anderson which was pretty much taken directly in my line of vision. If anyone else reading this was there, did he just kick it softly straight at the keeper or is my memory playing tricks on me?
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Villa v Australia at Villa Park. Could any history buffs or anyone better at using the internet than me find out the date, score etc?
About 1983-84ish. A Sunday morning game, I think it was 1-1. Tony Daley made his debut.
We won 2-0. Doug came on and played left-wing.
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Villa v Australia at Villa Park. Could any history buffs or anyone better at using the internet than me find out the date, score etc?
About 1983-84ish. A Sunday morning game, I think it was 1-1. Tony Daley made his debut.
We won 2-0. Doug came on and played left-wing.
No, the Doug game was at the end of 1984-85 - the day after the Bradford fire. It was something like Villa staff v some other team and he came on for ten minutes at the end.
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1st game was about 1977-1978 I think, I was about 5. Went with Dad & Sister
We drew 2-2 against Ipswich Town.
Dont remember much about it other than seeing Mick Mills getting off their coach!
Hooked ever since
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Villa v Australia at Villa Park. Could any history buffs or anyone better at using the internet than me find out the date, score etc?
About 1983-84ish. A Sunday morning game, I think it was 1-1. Tony Daley made his debut.
We won 2-0. Doug came on and played left-wing.
No, the Doug game was at the end of 1984-85 - the day after the Bradford fire. It was something like Villa staff v some other team and he came on for ten minutes at the end.
Did he demonstrate his bicycle kick?
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Dont know when my first game was but my first as a season ticket holder was against boro when we won 3 1 and alan thompson scored a free kick. Last time i heard he was at the mighty celtic, whatever happened to him??
Coaching at Celtic I believe.
Was at that game as well. Very wet, poor crowd, joachim scored as well? Was on tv wasn't it?
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Villa v Australia at Villa Park. Could any history buffs or anyone better at using the internet than me find out the date, score etc?
About 1983-84ish. A Sunday morning game, I think it was 1-1. Tony Daley made his debut.
We won 2-0. Doug came on and played left-wing.
No, the Doug game was at the end of 1984-85 - the day after the Bradford fire. It was something like Villa staff v some other team and he came on for ten minutes at the end.
I remember the Australia game and we did win that one 2-0. Not sure why I dragged myself off to someone v somebody else though. Clearly watched any game relating to Villa back then. As for the Australia game, I remember them having a bearded centre-forward.
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Dont know when my first game was but my first as a season ticket holder was against boro when we won 3 1 and alan thompson scored a free kick. Last time i heard he was at the mighty celtic, whatever happened to him??
Coaching at Celtic I believe.
Was at that game as well. Very wet, poor crowd, joachim scored as well? Was on tv wasn't it?
Charles scored as well. It was first game after Yorke had pissed off and Ricky Scimeca was playing up front
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My main memories of it are seeing the pitch as I stepped into the ground, wondering why I couldn't hear Brian Moore commentating, and the fact it was so muddy that Villa came out in a clean shirts for the second half !
I started going with my Dad in the mid 70s. We always used to sit in the Witton, and the one thing which sticks in my mind like it was yesterday, the image that really struck me, was getting to the top of the stairs and seeing the incredibly green pitch in front of me.
Those are the things you don't forget.
I was trying to explain this to a non-sporty friend the other day. Up until I stepped onto the Witton Lane stand terrace and saw the vivid claret and blue shirts and yes the green pitch, everything had been in black-and-white - the Cup Finals and fledgeling Match Of The Day on TV, the pictures in the paper everything except the coloured-in sweet cigarette cards had been monochrome.
And yes, you never forget.
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Well you say that Nick (you never forget) and I agree, that first sight of the pitch and the magnificent surroundings are something to behold for any young boy. However, they must have been so great that it affected my memory, as I still can't remember what my first game was. It's really eating at me as well.
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Well you say that Nick (you never forget) and I agree, that first sight of the pitch and the magnificent surroundings are something to behold for any young boy. However, they must have been so great that it affected my memory, as I still can't remember what my first game was. It's really eating at me as well.
I remember taking my daughter to her first game, and closely watching her reaction as we got to the top of the steps and looked out at the ground. I'll never forget the look of wonder on her face.
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December 26th 1966 v Sunderland, with my Dad, who died this year.
We stood in the Lower Trinity. Back in those days, you would play a team on Boxing day, and then have the reverse fixture the next day.
Sunderland had some famous players, albeit passed their prime. Charley Hurley, Jim Baxter and a brilliant goalkeeper named Jim Montgomery. We won 2-1, after being a goal down. Lew Chatterley scored a penalty.
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We lost 3-0 at home to Man United in '79- my first away game ended better though- beating Blues 2-1 in the title winning season!
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Hi everyone who has posted comments on this site. I am compiling a book of fans memories which will be published in October s would like to know if anyone has any objection in me using some of your posts?
Some guys have already responded positively (thank you) so if you haven't already please reply or email simongoodyear@soccerbiogrphies.com
(ftp://simongoodyear@soccerbiogrphies.com)
Many thanks,
Simon
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The first match I went to was v Oldham when we were in the old second division around 87/88. We lost 0-2 I think. Stood on the Holte End, the ball was kicked over the fencing and I got to throw it back on the pitch! Other than that I seem to remember Villa being shit :)
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We beat Stoke 4-0 in 1984.
The lads first game was Fulham away this season!
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Villa 1 - Ipswich 2 in the penultimate game of the Championship season, I barely saw a thing as I was 6.5 but I think my Dad wanted to see me witness a Villa game in a title winning year as it hadn't happened for a while, and may not for the foreseeable either.
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Villa 1 - Ipswich 2 in the penultimate game of the Championship season, I barely saw a thing as I was 6.5 but I think my Dad wanted to see me witness a Villa game in a title winning year as it hadn't happened for a while, and may not for the foreseeable either.
It wasn't the penultimate game, we played four more after that, beating at home to Forest and drawing away at Stoke, then stuffing Middlesborough 3-0 before enduring the ultimately fantastic "Hell at the Clock End"!
NB. Is that right? It's off the top of my head.
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It must have been early 80's, Wolves v Villa sat in the John Ireland Stand with my ol man and brother, both Wolves fans. I was probably only 6 ish. 1-1 draw I'm sure. I only really remember Jimmy Rimmer in goal and thinking that the John Ireland Stand was huge and awsome.
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Villa 1 - Ipswich 2 in the penultimate game of the Championship season, I barely saw a thing as I was 6.5 but I think my Dad wanted to see me witness a Villa game in a title winning year as it hadn't happened for a while, and may not for the foreseeable either.
It wasn't the penultimate game, we played four more after that, beating at home to Forest and drawing away at Stoke, then stuffing Middlesborough 3-0 before enduring the ultimately fantastic "Hell at the Clock End"!
NB. Is that right? It's off the top of my head.
Maybe I should have said penultimate home game, I was only 6 at the time!
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Villa 1 - Ipswich 2 in the penultimate game of the Championship season, I barely saw a thing as I was 6.5 but I think my Dad wanted to see me witness a Villa game in a title winning year as it hadn't happened for a while, and may not for the foreseeable either.
6.5 ? Disgraceful underhand decimalisation of your age sneaked in there ? Now Im left wondering if your mean 6 years 5 months or 6 1/2 years old. Would we talk about The secret diary of adrian mole aged 13.75 ?
Having said that Im jealous you went to VP so young, I didnt get taken to my first game until was 9 years 4 months 19 days old.
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Villa 1 - Ipswich 2 in the penultimate game of the Championship season, I barely saw a thing as I was 6.5 but I think my Dad wanted to see me witness a Villa game in a title winning year as it hadn't happened for a while, and may not for the foreseeable either.
6.5 ? Disgraceful underhand decimalisation of your age sneaked in there ? Now Im left wondering if your mean 6 years 5 months or 6 1/2 years old. Would we talk about The secret diary of adrian mole aged 13.75 ?
Having said that Im jealous you went to VP so young, I didnt get taken to my first game until was 9 years 4 months 19 days old.
Ok hang on, just working it out... 6 years 5 months and a few days! to be exact.
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versus Wolves at Villa Park Fa Cup February 1965 went to 2 replays as well, still have the programmes
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Villa Stoke 1984. 4-0.
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My Grandad and his brother took me along in November 1988 when we hosted Derby County. I remember the smells (the pitch, beer, fags, bovril and pork pie, for some reason), sitting in the lower Trinity and being devastated at a 2-1 defeat. I hated Dean Saunders for almost five years as he got the equaliser that day.
Looking back now I can see that life-long bonds were forged between my heart and Tony Daley, David Platt, Gordon Cowans and Alan McInally on that day. Also, the noise of the place was incredible to my nine year old ears. Instantly addicted.
I actually only kept a very limited number of programs and ticket stubs when we relocated here years ago but the one from this fixture will be with me for many more years yet.
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vs norwich 1992/3 season (november 1992) stood right at the front of the holte. lost 3-2. ugo's first team start and he was terrible! great memories.
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My first game was Villa v Ath Madrid 97! We won 2-1 on the night but lost on aggregate :-(
Colloymore scored an absolute screamer from outside the box. I can still remember the Hotle end shouting "SHOOT" and he did! great 1st game and great memories....