Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Villa Memories => Topic started by: wittonwarrior on January 07, 2017, 05:49:33 AM

Title: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: wittonwarrior on January 07, 2017, 05:49:33 AM
Terry Weir - the greatest photographer of all time - his book is amazing.

Ron Saunders - the man who put great back into the Villa name.  Wish he was still at the club.

Dennis Mortimer - the only Captain of the European  Cup we have attaching to our history.

Paul McGrath - came to us with a  reputation,  Finished up as a legend.  Just wish he had played in one of  our great teams. 

Steve Stride - A  man of yesterday years when football was football and people connected were still in touch with supporters.  The way he took time to speak to a  few of us at the ground when the Spurs match was postponed. Give me back them days.
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: peter w on January 07, 2017, 06:28:46 AM
Great 5 and just to cast the net further I'll name 5 others

Vic Crowe - Started the hard work and slog that got us back to the top flight

Ray Graydon - Probably the best Villa player of his time

Peter Withe - Need say no more

Brian Little - Mr Aston Villa

Doug Ellis - Cast a giant shadow and then became a big part of the club for so long
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: Villan For Life on January 07, 2017, 06:42:31 AM
Sid - one of the best players to pull on the shirt and deserving the words "legend" and "icon".

Ron Saunders - I will be forever thankful to this man for 1980/81.

God - nothing more to be said

Sir Graham of Taylor - turned the whole club around in his first spell. We could easily have followed our near neighbours from Small Heath and Handsworth and spent many years outside the top division. That we didn't was largely down to this man.

Brian Little - walks on water
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: oldtimernow on January 07, 2017, 07:22:52 AM
Ron Saunders
Paul McGrath
Sid Cowans,
Peter McParland
Dennis Mortimer
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: tony scott on January 07, 2017, 08:08:50 AM
Gerry Hitchens
Ron Saunders
Charlie Aitkin
James Milner
Olga Mellberg
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: Rudy65 on January 07, 2017, 08:27:04 AM
Ray Graydon
Ron Saunders
Gordon Cowans
Dennis Mortimer
Gareth Barry
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: Axl Rose on January 07, 2017, 09:26:14 AM
Dalian Atkinson
Dwight Yorke
Bosnich
Brian Little
Ashley Young
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: dave shelley on January 07, 2017, 09:57:11 AM
Gerry Hitchens
Peter McParland
Johnny Dixon
Paul McGrath
Peter Withe

All players I've had the privilege of watching.  Obviously, like most of us, I could name more than five.
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: LukeJames on January 07, 2017, 10:25:12 AM
been going since 1991 so mine are between 1991-2017.

Ron Atkinson- The best football I've seen us play, even at a young age it still stands out.

McGrath- Enough said.

Dwight Yorke- Head and shoulders above any other forward that we have had in my time.

Ian Taylor- Terraces, to our midfield and back to terraces.

Brian Little- Won a cup, 4th in the league, great football.
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: four fornicholl on January 07, 2017, 10:46:42 AM
Ray Graydon
Andy Gray
Gary Shaw
Peter Withe
Dalian Atkinson

Ive always been a sucker for goalscorers.
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: Dave Wall on January 07, 2017, 10:47:43 AM
Graham Taylor.
God.
Gordon Cowans.
Dwight Yorke.
Nigel Spink.
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: Andy Poole on January 07, 2017, 11:15:33 AM
Ray Graydon.
Tony Morley.
Ron Saunders/Tony Barton
Sid.
God.
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: The Laughing Policeman on January 07, 2017, 11:43:21 AM
Ron Saunders.
Gerry Hitchens.
Brian Little.
Andy Lochead.
The AV floodlights.
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: cdbearsfan on January 07, 2017, 01:25:48 PM
Stretching the "lifetime" bit too include those I never actually saw play as too young:

McGrath
Mortimer
Cowans
McInally (we've had better during my existence but he was my first hero so he's in)
Shaw
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: cdbearsfan on January 07, 2017, 01:27:53 PM
If I can only include those I actually saw (1988- ) I'll go:

McGrath
Yorke
McInally
Ian Taylor
Southgate
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: andrew08 on January 07, 2017, 02:46:47 PM
Players only and forgetting how some left/returned/slagged us later:

Brian Little
Andy Gray
Sid
Gary Shaw
Platt
Yorke

That's 6 sorry

No one since really although I quite liked Dion Dublin, Ian Taylor and Savo. I also think history will treat Gabby better than currently.  Ashley Young and Benteke with his 40 odd goals will be remembered fondly as well eventually
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: Norm Crandles on January 07, 2017, 02:55:32 PM
All great picks.  But no Saint Danny?   The best ever in my lifetime.  At 76, I must be a lot older than most of you.

Norm.
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: itbrvilla on January 07, 2017, 02:59:22 PM
Brain Little (The Manager)
Ian Taylor (My favourite player)
Gareth Barry
Olaf Mellberg
Dwight Yorke
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: brian green on January 07, 2017, 03:29:24 PM
My lifetime.

Eric Houghton
Peter McParland
Johnny Dixon
Joe Mercer
Vic Crowe

Your lifetime

Peter Withe
Sid
Dennis Mortimer
Brian Little
Paul McGrath
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: brian green on January 07, 2017, 03:32:55 PM
On the bench

John Carew
Gary Shaw
Andy Gray
Luc Nilis
Christian Benteke
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: olaftab on January 07, 2017, 03:40:33 PM
Bruce Rioch
Brian Little
Andy Gray
Dennis Mortimer
Ron Saunders
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: Risso on January 07, 2017, 04:37:04 PM
Little
Shaw
McGrath
Platt
Yorke
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: RichardBatchelor on January 07, 2017, 05:06:02 PM
Ron Saunders
Tony Morley
Sid
SGT
God
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: oldtimernow on January 07, 2017, 05:19:09 PM
Stan Lynn,
Vic Crowe,
Ron Wylie,
Charlie Aitken
Gerry Hitchens
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: class-of-82 on January 07, 2017, 06:12:17 PM
Be so unfair to name just five in my lifetime but I'm going to name five that all gave there everything for the club so to me they are icon

Andy lochead
Chico Hamilton
Frank carrodus (has he stopped running yet)
Alex Cropley
Ian ross
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: West Derby Villan on January 07, 2017, 06:15:12 PM
Ron Saunders
SGT
Dennis Mortimer
Andy Gray
Sid
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on January 07, 2017, 06:31:41 PM
Ron saunders
andy gray mk1
Dennis mortimer
god
ian taylor
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: four fornicholl on January 07, 2017, 06:47:48 PM
part 2

Trinity Road facade
AV floodlights
A full,late seventies style 22000+ Holte End
Civic reception 3rd May 1981
Civic reception 28th May 1982
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: the-farmer on January 07, 2017, 08:26:16 PM
Andy Gray
David Platt
Paul McGrath
Dennis Mortimer
Gordon Cowans

I think my late Dad (1940-2012) would've chosen
Johnny Dixon
Stan Lynn
Eric Houghton (a good friend of my Grandad & also my aunties Godfather)
Andy Gray
Dennis Mortimer
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on January 07, 2017, 08:57:29 PM
Charlie Aitken
Andy Lochhead  (spelt correctly, unlike two previous posters! )
Brian Little
Paul McGrath
Ian Taylor
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: villan from luton on January 07, 2017, 09:29:06 PM
Bruce Rioch - my first Villa hero
Ron Saunders - the best manager ever to grace my club
Andy Gray - Right from his debut he looked class and his performances in 76/77 were amazing
Gordon Cowans - What a player and what a person
Paul McGrath - came to us as finished, went on to prove he was anything but. Heard a conversation yesterday about Fergies biggest mistakes and he weren't mentioned
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: Deano's Mullet on January 07, 2017, 09:30:54 PM
Ron Atkinson
Brian Little
Tony Daley
Dean Saunders
Paul McGrath
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: Deano's Mullet on January 07, 2017, 09:31:43 PM
Ron Atkinson
Brian Little
Tony Daley
Dean Saunders
Paul McGrath

Would maybe have gone for Platt but he's been a bell end since he left
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: PeterWithesShin on January 07, 2017, 09:33:58 PM
I'm going for things that were iconic

AV Floodlights
The Holte End terrace
Dennis holding up a trophy before the first home game of the season
The old Trinity Road Stand
Do you want to bet against us?
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: four fornicholl on January 07, 2017, 09:48:17 PM
I'm going for things that were iconic

AV Floodlights
The Holte End terrace
Dennis holding up a trophy before the first home game of the season
The old Trinity Road Stand
Do you want to bet against us?
Almost exactly what i posted a page back,they truly are Aston Villas iconic moments.
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: passport1 on January 07, 2017, 11:02:26 PM
Ron Saunders,Des Bremner,Peter Withe,Brian Little,Paul McGrath.
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: Exeter 77 on January 07, 2017, 11:41:42 PM
Paul McGrath
'Oh it must be... and it is'
David Platt at Italia '90
Andy Gray with both PFA awards
The Clock End, Highbury May 1981

If only players I'd include Brian Little and Sid Cowans.
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: villan from luton on January 07, 2017, 11:54:49 PM
I tried before but seemingly didn't go through and now changing

Brian Little - saw his debut and what a player and clubman
Ron Saunders - Didn't want him as manager but what a fool I was
Andy Gray - What a player, was the focal point of the best football I have ever seen in 76/77
Gordon Cowans - Amazing player and a great clubman.
Bosko Jankovic RIP - will always remember Highbury and Bosko will always be in my heart
 
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: brian green on January 08, 2017, 08:28:55 AM
Going way, way back.

Football specials lined up in Trinity Rd being raced for at the end of the game. 
Pigeons flying from the loft over the Trinity Stand taking news of goals back to the Argus.
The orange shaped kiosk selling orange pop on the top of the Witton End.
The two bomb holes in the barrel vaulted corrugated iron roof of the Witton Lane Stand.
Being able to change ends for 6d at half time.
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: JD on January 08, 2017, 08:38:18 AM
I'm going for things that were iconic

AV Floodlights
The Holte End terrace
Dennis holding up a trophy before the first home game of the season
The old Trinity Road Stand
Do you want to bet against us?

Sounds good to me PWS. I can't go past any of these.
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: Broughty-Villian on January 08, 2017, 10:04:22 AM
Sid
Ron Saunders
Andy Gray
Peter With
Mortimer
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: AV82EC on January 08, 2017, 12:28:27 PM
Mosaic on the Holte
McGregor Statue
92/93 Football style
Acorns Sponsorship
Paul McGrath
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: Lobsterboy on January 10, 2017, 12:52:08 PM
Ron Saunders
Peter Withe
Gordon Cowans
Sir Graham Taylor
Paul McGrath
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on January 10, 2017, 03:22:19 PM
perm any 5 from just about all of the above and chuck in the a.s.t.o.n
.v.i.l.l.a
clock

edit - oh, and Tarzan 
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: Oscar Arce on January 10, 2017, 03:25:45 PM
Bruce Rioch: Like many my first Villa hero and poster boy on my wall
Charlie Aitken: Records that will never be beaten
Ron Saunders: Do you want to bet against us?
Brian Little: 100% Aston Villa, player, manager, director (ish)
Denis Mortimer: European Cup winning captain, say no more.
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: Dave Cooper please on January 10, 2017, 04:10:16 PM
perm any 5 from just about all of the above and chuck in the a.s.t.o.n
.v.i.l.l.a
clock

edit - oh, and Tarzan 

And the AV floodlights.
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: Cliftonville Villain on January 15, 2017, 10:59:08 AM
Sir Graham - for a very short time awoke a sleeping giant. I'll never forgive England

Brian Little - Mister Aston Villa

Paul McGrath - the best

Dalian Atkinson - just ahead of Tony Daley as the most exciting player I've ever watched in a Villa shirt

David Platt - his goals ratio from midfield was ridiculous and was very much Taylor's lieutenant on the pitch. What a player.

Ron Saunders goes without saying.
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: OzVilla on January 15, 2017, 11:42:57 AM
Just 5 is difficult so i'll leave players out of it........

The AV floodlights
The round badge from the 70's to the 90's
The old Trinity Road stand
Terry Weir
Ron Saunders
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: TopDeck113 on January 15, 2017, 11:59:53 AM
If I close my eyes and think back to my first visit to Villa Park, these things will never leave me:

The club badge on gable of the Trinity Road Stand.
The size of the Holte End when viewed from the the front of the old Witton Terrace.
The AV floodlight pylons either side of the Holte.
The astonvilla clock and the Aston Villamen - You Can't Beat 'Em advert on the Witton Lane stand.
The beauty - and simplicity - of the early 1970s kit.
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: Damo70 on January 15, 2017, 04:33:03 PM
I will stick to players, so...(and as they say on some TV shows "in no particular order")

Andy Gray
Tony Morley
(this one may surprise you) Steve Mcmahon* (even though when my ex fiance's brother was a young player at Swindon and he was manager there and I tried to chat to him about the Villa at an end of season awards he was a miserable git.)
Sid
God

*I had a photo taken with him and the look on his face in the picture he looked like he was being asked to pose with  The Yorkshire Ripper.

We don't tend to keep in touch much.
Title: Re: 5 Villa Icons in your lifetime
Post by: Brazilian Villain on January 15, 2017, 09:13:31 PM
The Holte End
The old Trinity Road with the lion rampant facade.
Paul McGrath
Ron Saunders
Allan Evans

With honorable mentions to Big Ron and Dean Saunders.
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