Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Villa Memories => Topic started by: Stu on January 11, 2012, 11:22:36 AM

Title: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Stu on January 11, 2012, 11:22:36 AM
Well, which player would have the most impact for us now? From the Graun (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/jan/10/former-player-bring-back-club).

Absolutely fucking daft selection by the Villa man there. Of all the players he could have picked, Yorke, McGrath, Platt, Cowans, Morley, Mortimer, Merson...I could go on. The player the Villa fan in the paper most wanted to see return?

Thomas Hitzlsperger.

What the fuck.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: German James on January 11, 2012, 11:28:37 AM
He possibly thought he had to pick a player who could still bend over to tie his laces without farting.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: PaulTheVillan on January 11, 2012, 11:28:43 AM
Most the selections on that article seem daft
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: The Man With A Stick on January 11, 2012, 11:36:33 AM
I saw that yesterday but thought it was too stupid to put on here.  Hitzlsperger FFS.  Why didn't he go the whole hog and vote for Gavin McCann?
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Concrete John on January 11, 2012, 11:44:25 AM
If it's limited to player still playing and given our current defensive weakness, would it be too controversial to suggest a certain defender at Bolton?
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: PaulWinch again on January 11, 2012, 11:48:10 AM
If it was players currently playing I'd bring back Ashley Young, it's amazing how little we create since he left. I realise Downing helped with that, but I rate Young.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Chipsticks on January 11, 2012, 11:50:31 AM
Martin Laursen, just imagine what his ability and leadership could bring to our defence, if not the whole team.

I'd bet my bank account we'd concede less and score more from set pieces, too.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Stu on January 11, 2012, 11:51:21 AM
If it's limited to player still playing and given our current defensive weakness, would it be too controversial to suggest a certain defender at Bolton?

It's not. The Man U fan picked Denis Law for instance. The Wolves supporter picked Steve Bull. This is the reason why I'm utterly stunned at the selection of Thomas Hitzlsperger, seemingly over the likes of the true midfield greats we've had.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: themossman on January 11, 2012, 11:57:24 AM
Milner? Whether he though it meant currently playing or not it's a bloody stupid answer. 
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: The Laughing Policeman on January 11, 2012, 12:08:26 PM
How far back are we allowed to go?
How about Sir Denis Mortimer or failing that Ian Taylor would do for me.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Percy McCarthy on January 11, 2012, 12:11:15 PM
Currently playing - Milner.

All time - God.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Concrete John on January 11, 2012, 12:13:52 PM
I was as big a fan of Milner as anyone when he was here, but with Ireland currently in good form we need him less than we do someone to get a hold of the defence.  Hence my suggestion for the Bolton Defender, which of course would change to God if we're talking 'all time'. 
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Hookeysmith on January 11, 2012, 12:15:28 PM
Pongo Waring
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Stu on January 11, 2012, 12:19:51 PM
The defence needs sorting, so it's only one player really - God.

For the midfield, I'd say David Platt is the man.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Small Rodent on January 11, 2012, 12:20:46 PM
If the piece was at all sensible, it would be about players in the Scholes/Henry age bracket of mid-30s, as a like-for-like comparison.

So I'd say Laursen or Mellberg (both same age as Henry). The rest is just fantasy football nonsense.

Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: DeKuip on January 11, 2012, 12:24:23 PM
All the other clubs on there elect to bring back a legend who's no longer playing and we get someone who was desperate to come back to us last summer but we didn't want him!

I'd say we need a decent attacking full-back right now - and we've had some good ones in the past to choose from.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: nick harper on January 11, 2012, 12:31:16 PM
A leader - anyone from:-

Peter Withe
Dennis Mortimer
Allan Evans
Martin Laursen
Gareth Southgate
Andy Townsend
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: PaulTheVillan on January 11, 2012, 12:46:27 PM
Peter Whittingham
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Zhong Yi on January 11, 2012, 12:49:14 PM
George Cummings.

apparently he man marked Stanley Matthews out of a big FA cup match when Matthews was in the middle of his 20 years of prime.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Can Gana Be Bettered!?!? on January 11, 2012, 12:49:56 PM
Dwight Yorke.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: rick1944 on January 11, 2012, 12:51:08 PM
With out doubt James Milner is the player we need most,why didnt big eck go for kranjar instead of Jenas ?
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: pedro25 on January 11, 2012, 01:01:35 PM
Milner.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: glasses on January 11, 2012, 01:09:09 PM
Yorke for me
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: PeterWithesShin on January 11, 2012, 02:41:35 PM
Sid.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Holte L2 on January 11, 2012, 03:03:46 PM
Current - James Miner.

All time, Paul Mcgrath

Can we re-sign Big Ron as manager too?
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: darren woolley on January 11, 2012, 03:26:14 PM
All time would be God.

Still Playing Ashley Young.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Damo70 on January 11, 2012, 05:35:49 PM
Still playing, Ashley Young.

One from the past, I'm torn between Paul McGrath to sort the defence or Tony Morley to create and score goals. ( Dennis Mortimer to lead from the middle wouldn't be a bad idea either.)

And I'm guessing the Albion fan who said Richard Sneekes was quite young and has only been going for about ten years surely?
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Big Dick Edwards on January 11, 2012, 06:44:51 PM
If it's limited to player still playing and given our current defensive weakness, would it be too controversial to suggest a certain defender at Bolton?

Suggesting a return for Zat Knight is possibly even more ridiculous than for Thomas Hitz!
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: bertlambshank on January 11, 2012, 10:28:37 PM
Gary Penrice everytime a true Villa legend.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: E I Adio on January 12, 2012, 12:32:23 AM
I know my dad would have said Billy Walker.

I think the player who has possibly brought me most joy is Sid.

Beyond Milner and Ash, I can't think of anyone who is still playing that I'd bust a gut to get back.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Jimsta on January 15, 2012, 03:57:17 PM
Gary Shaw.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: garyshawsknee on January 15, 2012, 04:02:30 PM
Gary Shaw.

Good shout,wouldn't get any bloody service though!
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: old man villa fan on January 15, 2012, 07:14:16 PM
Gary Shaw.

Good shout,wouldn't get any bloody service though!

But if he gets the ball he's bound to score
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: The Left Side on January 15, 2012, 10:28:58 PM
Milner for me!
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: VillaSpen on January 16, 2012, 04:54:35 AM
Of those still playing - Milner.
Retired - McGrath just pips Cowans.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Salsa Party Animal on January 16, 2012, 11:21:59 PM
Only ex Villa players playing today is worth looking are

James Milner, Ashley Young, Olof Mellberg  (If he is still playing well), Gareth Barry, Gary Cahill. The others is not worth bothering.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Irish villain on January 17, 2012, 06:41:48 PM
It's almost impossible to answer that question. There's so many variables: ability, what was achieved with us, ability proved at other clubs, what we lack today, bare nostalgia and of course those rose-tinted glasses.

I am 25 so can't really comment on pre 1994 players, even the greats that I've come to admire from old footage. Because of that, I will say Paul McGrath.

The following all came very close, in this order:

1. Paul Merson
2. Martin Laursen
3. Dwight Yorke
4. James Milner
5. Ashley Young
6. Andy Townsend
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: b23 on June 06, 2016, 08:01:31 PM
Thomas Hitzlsperger

http://www.vfb.de/en/aktuell/meldungen/news/2016/personalien-management/page/4312-1-1-.html?f2
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: wittonwarrior on June 06, 2016, 08:37:46 PM
Cleverly  - hasn't cut it with Everton, was starting to do things at the Villa.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: pooligan on June 07, 2016, 06:42:40 AM
Andy Gray (First time around)
Bruce Rioch
Paul McGrath

Those are the 3 former players i would bring back if it was possible
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: JD on June 07, 2016, 08:44:44 AM
He who walks on water - Sir Brian.
Or God.
Or Sid.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: luke95 on June 07, 2016, 04:13:31 PM
Sid Cowans
John Carew
Paul Birch
Tony Daley

Of those still playing Gareth Barry
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: itbrvilla on June 07, 2016, 04:29:40 PM
Ian Taylor.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Deano's Mullet on June 08, 2016, 12:05:16 AM
Kevin Richardson
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Villa in Denmark on June 08, 2016, 11:41:47 PM
Cleverly  - hasn't cut it with Everton, was starting to do things at the Villa.

So basically he's actually turned in 5 or 6 decent performances over 2 seasons. That's Agbonlahoresque.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Cliftonville Villain on June 12, 2016, 12:42:21 AM
God, David Platt, Sir Brian and Christian Benteke. Managed by SGT. Cheating I know...but case closed.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Godfrey Brian on June 13, 2016, 10:19:29 AM
I'd bring back Frank Barson for one season if only to show what a real hard defender looks like and terrorise a few opposition forwards! Obviously he'd spend most of the season suspended but it'd be worth the novelty value!
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Damo70 on June 13, 2016, 10:42:26 PM
As well as quality we need battlers and leaders with some character. I would settle for a spine of Bosnich, Teale, Mortimer and Withe.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Holte L2 on July 19, 2016, 05:54:18 PM
Benteke, Barry and Petrov for next season would be the dream.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: itbrvilla on July 19, 2016, 05:56:43 PM
Taylor, Merson and Yorke.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Goldie.7 on July 19, 2016, 05:59:02 PM
Delaney, Luc Nilis and Laursen.
Title: Re: Which former player would you bring back?
Post by: Darlo Dave on July 20, 2016, 03:12:13 PM
Pongo Waring.
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