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Heroes & Villains => Villa Memories => Topic started by: Deano's Mullet on January 05, 2016, 11:26:35 PM

Title: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: Deano's Mullet on January 05, 2016, 11:26:35 PM
Over on football 365 they are getting people emailing in 25 man squads for their teams made up of players from 1992 to the present day. This got me thinking would be a good idea for a thread. Who would you pick in a 25 man squad? Don't forget, they have to have played in the Premier League.

GKS
1 Mark Bosnich  2 Nigel Spink 3 Brad Friedel

DF
4 Steve Staunton 5 Alan Wright 6 Earl Barrett  7 Gary Charles
8 Paul McGrath  9 Shaun Teale 10 Gareth Southgate 11 Olof Mellberg

MF

12 Garry Parker 13 Kevin Richardson 14 Andy Townsend 15 Ian Taylor
16 Paul Merson 17 Ashley Young 18 James Milner 19 Stan Petrov

ST

20 Dean Saunders  21 Dalian Atkinson 22 Dwight Yorke 23 Savo Milosevic
24 Juan Pablo Angel  25 Christian Benteke
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: cdbearsfan on January 05, 2016, 11:53:57 PM
I think you've been greedy with the centre-forwards, you don't need that six in a twenty-five man squad, although it is tempting! As for picking Savo... you've gone mad there. Dalian's a controversial inclusion but he did arguably did more than any one else to secure the first of only two trophies we've won.

We've struggled at right back, haven't we? Even going back twenty-four years I've found it difficult to pick two. I've gone with Charles but I remember I used to moan about him when he played for us! I think Barrett is the only right-back that has my total support in this period, and he was signed to play centre-half! I've added Mellberg so he can play right-back cover if required as we've had plenty of excellent central defenders.

Struggled to think of goalkeepers other than Bosnich. Spink was good for us but his best years were pre-Premier League.

I like Petrov but wouldn't, honestly, call him one of our very best midfielders. He was superb by the time he became ill but was poor during his first season and only so-so for much of the intervening period. Barry has to be in there. You could make a case for Delph as a defensive midfielder but... bollocks to picking him.

GK (3) Bosnich, James, Friedel

DF  (9) Barrett, Charles, McGrath, Southgate, Ehiogu, Mellberg, Laursen, Wright, Staunton

MF (8) Young, Milner, Barry, Taylor, Richardson, Townsend, Daley, Merson

ATT (5) Benteke, Yorke, Saunders, Dublin, Atkinson

Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: Deano's Mullet on January 05, 2016, 11:59:53 PM
I think you've been greedy with the centre-forwards, you don't need that six in a twenty-five man squad, although it is tempting! As for picking Savo... you've gone mad there. Dalian's a controversial inclusion but he did arguably did more than any one else to secure the first of only two trophies we've won.

We've struggled at right back, haven't we? Even going back twenty-four years I've found it difficult to pick two. I've gone with Charles but I remember I used to moan about him when he played for us! I think Barrett is the only right-back that has my total support in this period, and he was signed to play centre-half! I've added Mellberg so he can play right-back cover if required as we've had plenty of excellent central defenders.

Struggled to think of goalkeepers other than Bosnich. Spink was good for us but his best years were pre-Premier League.

I like Petrov but wouldn't, honestly, call him one of our very best midfielders. He was superb by the time he became ill but was poor during his first season and only so-so for much of the intervening period. Barry has to be in there. You could make a case for Delph as a defensive midfielder but... bollocks to picking him.

GK (3) Bosnich, James, Friedel

DF  (9) Barrett, Charles, McGrath, Southgate, Ehiogu, Mellberg, Laursen, Wright, Staunton

MF (8) Young, Milner, Barry, Taylor, Richardson, Townsend, Daley, Merson

ATT (5) Benteke, Yorke, Saunders, Dublin, Atkinson



Just matter of nostalgic favouritism I guess. Savo was a very talented player who scored a stunner in a cup final and worked well as a partnership with Yorke. In fact Yorke and Saunders worked well together too. Dalian on top form and interested in the game was unstoppable. I didn't think Delph warranted a place regardless of his current standing with Villa fans. It was a toss up between Petrov and Barry and on another day I might have picked Barry. Might have gone for Fernando Nelson at RB too but you have to think Barrett and Charles were the best, look how many goals came from Charles crosses in 1995-96. Mark Delaney was ok but not as good I don't think.
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: Deano's Mullet on January 06, 2016, 12:01:43 AM
I think you've been greedy with the centre-forwards, you don't need that six in a twenty-five man squad, although it is tempting! As for picking Savo... you've gone mad there. Dalian's a controversial inclusion but he did arguably did more than any one else to secure the first of only two trophies we've won.

We've struggled at right back, haven't we? Even going back twenty-four years I've found it difficult to pick two. I've gone with Charles but I remember I used to moan about him when he played for us! I think Barrett is the only right-back that has my total support in this period, and he was signed to play centre-half! I've added Mellberg so he can play right-back cover if required as we've had plenty of excellent central defenders.

Struggled to think of goalkeepers other than Bosnich. Spink was good for us but his best years were pre-Premier League.

I like Petrov but wouldn't, honestly, call him one of our very best midfielders. He was superb by the time he became ill but was poor during his first season and only so-so for much of the intervening period. Barry has to be in there. You could make a case for Delph as a defensive midfielder but... bollocks to picking him.

GK (3) Bosnich, James, Friedel

DF  (9) Barrett, Charles, McGrath, Southgate, Ehiogu, Mellberg, Laursen, Wright, Staunton

MF (8) Young, Milner, Barry, Taylor, Richardson, Townsend, Daley, Merson

ATT (5) Benteke, Yorke, Saunders, Dublin, Atkinson



I did think about Daley but in his two Premier League seasons he was either injured or very very inconsistent. I think he was at his best between 1989-92. Steve Froggatt was a favourite too.
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: tomd2103 on January 06, 2016, 12:08:36 AM
Over on football 365 they are getting people emailing in 25 man squads for their teams made up of players from 1992 to the present day. This got me thinking would be a good idea for a thread. Who would you pick in a 25 man squad? Don't forget, they have to have played in the Premier League.

GKS
1 Mark Bosnich  2 Nigel Spink 3 Brad Friedel

DF
4 Steve Staunton 5 Alan Wright 6 Earl Barrett  7 Gary Charles
8 Paul McGrath  9 Shaun Teale 10 Gareth Southgate 11 Olof Mellberg

MF

12 Garry Parker 13 Kevin Richardson 14 Andy Townsend 15 Ian Taylor
16 Paul Merson 17 Ashley Young 18 James Milner 19 Stan Petrov

ST

20 Dean Saunders  21 Dalian Atkinson 22 Dwight Yorke 23 Savo Milosevic
24 Juan Pablo Angel  25 Christian Benteke

Not bad at all that.  Only changes I would consider (based purely on their time at Villa) are Delaney for Charles, Laursen for Teale, Barry for Parker, Houghton for Petrov and Dublin for either Savo or JPA. 

I was thinking Carew for Atkinson, but Dalian would be a good option to have in the squad.
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: Deano's Mullet on January 06, 2016, 12:13:31 AM
Dublin was ok but technically he wasn't in Savo's league and his goal scoring record wasn't massively better. I did like Houghton but Parker in 1992-93 was class and nearly hit double figures in terms of goals scored. I forgot about Carew but again Dalian did the goods at Wembley and like BFR said, at one point he was the most exciting player in the country.

Loving the different lineups though
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: glasses on January 06, 2016, 08:45:00 AM
Bosnich, James, Friedel

Delaney, Barrett, McGrath, Southgate, Laursen, Ugo, Staunton, Wright

Milner, Taylor, Townsend, Young, Barry,

Benteke, Angel, Saunders, Vassell, Yorke, Carew

Struggling to think of 3 more midfielders I'd really want. We've had some decent ones, but I think those five are the best and I can't think of any other standouts.

Bear in mind the first 3 or 4 years of the prem I was in primary school so memory isn't the best of players like Richardson and Parker

I think midfield is a position we've always struggled
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: cdbearsfan on January 06, 2016, 10:49:42 AM
I'd forgotten Delaney. He's in for Charles.
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: rob_bridge on January 06, 2016, 10:56:32 AM
Over on football 365 they are getting people emailing in 25 man squads for their teams made up of players from 1992 to the present day. This got me thinking would be a good idea for a thread. Who would you pick in a 25 man squad? Don't forget, they have to have played in the Premier League.

GKS
1 Mark Bosnich  2 Nigel Spink 3 Brad Friedel

DF
4 Steve Staunton 5 Alan Wright 6 Earl Barrett  7 Gary Charles
8 Paul McGrath  9 Shaun Teale 10 Gareth Southgate 11 Olof Mellberg

MF

12 Garry Parker 13 Kevin Richardson 14 Andy Townsend 15 Ian Taylor
16 Paul Merson 17 Ashley Young 18 James Milner 19 Stan Petrov

ST

20 Dean Saunders  21 Dalian Atkinson 22 Dwight Yorke 23 Savo Milosevic
24 Juan Pablo Angel  25 Christian Benteke

Petrov ahead of Barry er no way.
Ugo was better than Teale so was Laursen
Savo/JPA not ahead of Dublin.
Delaney ahead of Charles
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: Holte L2 on January 06, 2016, 12:41:37 PM
Bosnich
Spink
James

Barrett
L.Young
Mellberg
Mcgrath
Ehiogu
Laursen
Staunton
Wright

Townsend
Merson
Barry
Richardson
Parker
Milner
Solano
Young
Taylor

Yorke
Saunders
Benteke
Carew
Milosevic
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: Deano's Mullet on January 06, 2016, 12:54:52 PM
Bosnich
Spink
James

Barrett
L.Young
Mellberg
Mcgrath
Ehiogu
Laursen
Staunton
Wright

Townsend
Merson
Barry
Richardson
Parker
Milner
Solano
Young
Taylor

Yorke
Saunders
Benteke
Carew
Milosevic


I forgot Solano. Still don't know if I would have included him.  At least another Savo lover out there!
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: The Left Side on January 06, 2016, 02:50:51 PM
I guess this season is the end of an era as we don't know when we'll be back in the PL (sigh).
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: MadJohnnyC on January 06, 2016, 03:17:59 PM
GK - Bosnich, James, Friedel

Def - McGrath, Laursen, Mellberg, Staunton, Delaney, Bouma, Southgate, Dunne, Luke Young

Mid - Taylor, Merson, Townsend, Milner, Barry, Ashley Young, Petrov, Daley

For - Yorke, Benteke, Dublin, Collymore, Carew

Manager - Brian Little
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: dave.woodhall on January 06, 2016, 03:23:52 PM
Are we talking at their best, or what they did as a whole? If it's the former, Yorke, Atkinson and Collymore could compete with any three any other club could offer.
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: Tokyo Sexwhale on January 06, 2016, 04:10:59 PM
GK:  Bosnich, Friedel, James
DF:  Delaney, Mellberg, Staunton, Bouma, McGrath, Laursen, Southgate, Ehiogu
MF:  Barry, Milner, Taylor, Boateng, Richardson Kev, Townsend, Merson, Young A, Daley
FW:  Benteke, Yorke, Dublin, Saunders, Atkinson

Only real debates were Delaney vs Barrett; Atkinson vs Angel or Collymore; and I went for Boateng over Petrov.
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: class-of-82 on January 06, 2016, 07:36:20 PM
How about. A 25 man squad pre 92 pre sky
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: The Left Side on January 06, 2016, 09:09:10 PM
How about. A 25 man squad pre 92 pre sky


We'd only need 14
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: Darlo Dave on January 07, 2016, 03:06:59 PM
GK: Bosnich, James, Friedel

DEF: Barrett, L Young, McGrath, Southgate, Ehiogu, Laursen, Wright, Staunton

MID: A Young, Milner, Barry, Townsend, Merson, Petrov, K Richardson, Taylor, Daley

FWD: Yorke, Saunders, Benteke, Dublin, Angel

Man, that was tough!
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on January 07, 2016, 03:52:29 PM
I'd have Schmeichel in goal. Are we allowed to have them based on former glories?
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: class-of-82 on January 07, 2016, 06:41:18 PM
The left side your right
But I am sure I could fit gray little and Cropley into the squad
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: Holte L2 on January 07, 2016, 09:18:25 PM
Bosnich
Spink
James

Barrett
L.Young
Mellberg
Mcgrath
Ehiogu
Laursen
Staunton
Wright

Townsend
Merson
Barry
Richardson
Parker
Milner
Solano
Young
Taylor

Yorke
Saunders
Benteke
Carew
Milosevic


I forgot Solano. Still don't know if I would have included him.  At least another Savo lover out there!

I included him for his natural width, noticed my squad was lacking wide players.

Savo was class. Way ahead of his time.
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: Deano's Mullet on January 07, 2016, 10:15:37 PM
I'd have Schmeichel in goal. Are we allowed to have them based on former glories?

Pick who you like
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: LukeJames on January 07, 2016, 10:26:49 PM
GK: Bosnich, James, Friedel

DEF: Mellberg, Delaney, McGrath, Southgate, Ehiogu, Laursen, Wright, Staunton

MID: A Young, Milner, Barry, Westwood, Merson, Parker, K Richardson, Taylor, Daley

FWD: Yorke, Saunders, Benteke, Gestede, Angel
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: Deano's Mullet on January 07, 2016, 10:34:04 PM
GK: Bosnich, James, Friedel

DEF: Mellberg, Delaney, McGrath, Southgate, Ehiogu, Laursen, Wright, Staunton

MID: A Young, Milner, Barry, Westwood, Merson, Parker, K Richardson, Taylor, Daley

FWD: Yorke, Saunders, Benteke, Gestede, Angel


Gestede?
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: Chris Harte on January 08, 2016, 08:36:41 AM
No-one selected George Boateng, then? I thought he said he was a legend....?
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: saunders_heroes on January 08, 2016, 10:10:18 AM
I'm glad one or two people have mentioned Garry Parker. He seems to be rarely mentioned these days but I thought he was fantastic for us for a couple of years and scored some fantastic goals from midfield.
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: Darlo Dave on January 08, 2016, 11:26:48 AM
I'm glad one or two people have mentioned Garry Parker. He seems to be rarely mentioned these days but I thought he was fantastic for us for a couple of years and scored some fantastic goals from midfield.

I recall watching a programme on Sky about players form the first season of the Premier League, and what they were up to now (this was a few years back, so not actually now). They showed that Garry Parker was a painter and decorator. It boiled my piss when I think about his talent, in comparison to some of the shit that followed him. They're all millionaires, and he was having to do a proper job. I think subsequently he's gone into coaching (quick google says he's at Bolton), so at least he's managed to get back in the game.
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: saunders_heroes on January 08, 2016, 05:03:39 PM
I'm glad one or two people have mentioned Garry Parker. He seems to be rarely mentioned these days but I thought he was fantastic for us for a couple of years and scored some fantastic goals from midfield.

I recall watching a programme on Sky about players form the first season of the Premier League, and what they were up to now (this was a few years back, so not actually now). They showed that Garry Parker was a painter and decorator. It boiled my piss when I think about his talent, in comparison to some of the shit that followed him. They're all millionaires, and he was having to do a proper job. I think subsequently he's gone into coaching (quick google says he's at Bolton), so at least he's managed to get back in the game.

Reminds me of another favourite player of mine in the sadly missed Paul Birch who ended up being a postman after retiring from the game. Both these players would have been made for life if they had been born a decade or so later. When you see ex players as shit as Robbie Savage swanning around flaunting his wealth when he didn't have a tenth of the ability of Parker and Birch had you can't help but think something's not quite right.
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: Holte L2 on January 08, 2016, 06:08:27 PM
GK: Bosnich, James, Friedel

DEF: Mellberg, Delaney, McGrath, Southgate, Ehiogu, Laursen, Wright, Staunton

MID: A Young, Milner, Barry, Westwood, Merson, Parker, K Richardson, Taylor, Daley

FWD: Yorke, Saunders, Benteke, Gestede, Angel


Gestede?

Ashley Westwood!?
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: Tokyo Sexwhale on January 08, 2016, 07:07:11 PM
No-one selected George Boateng, then? I thought he said he was a legend....?

I selected him.  Wouldn't say he was a legend exactly, but he's a solid choice.
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: Chris Harte on January 08, 2016, 11:45:05 PM
No-one selected George Boateng, then? I thought he said he was a legend....?

I selected him.  Wouldn't say he was a legend exactly, but he's a solid choice.
He seemed to think he was a legend.
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: The Man With A Stick on January 09, 2016, 11:19:46 AM
Bosnich, Spink, Friedel

Delaney, Charles, Staunton, Bouma, Wright, God, Laursen, Mellberg, Southgate

Richardson, Parker, Barry, Taylor, Milner, Young, Daley, Merson

Yorke, Atkinson, Benteke, Angel, Saunders

Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: Damo70 on January 09, 2016, 06:34:16 PM
Bosnich, Friedel, James

Barrett, Delaney, McGrath, Laursen, Teale, Southgate, Staunton, Wright

Richardson, Townsend, Parker, Daley, Young, Milner, Taylor, Barry

Yorke, Saunders, Merson, Carew, Benteke, Keane
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: SoccerHQ on January 17, 2016, 11:34:18 PM
Bosnich, James, Friedel.

Delaney, God, Laursen, Mellberg, Southgate, Ugo, Staunton, Bouma,

Townsend, Taylor, Merson, Milner, Barry, Young, Petrov, Richardson

Benteke, Yorke, Carew, Tommy Johnson(o.k a random one but he was underrated and scored crucial goals) , Dublin, Gabby (for all his faults scored many nostalgic goals for us)
Title: Re: 25 Villa players from the Premier League era
Post by: Warren Aspinall on January 19, 2016, 10:44:32 PM
Bosnich, Spink, Friedel

Delaney, Wright, Staunton, McGrath, Laursen, Mellberg, Southgate, Ehiogu

Townsend, Merson, Taylor, Kev Richardson, Young, Milner, Barry, Houghton, Daley

Yorke, Benteke, Carew, Saunders, Angel
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