Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: SaddVillan on April 23, 2020, 02:24:38 PM

Title: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: SaddVillan on April 23, 2020, 02:24:38 PM
We probably all condemned him for being an arse the way that his career petered out at Villa Park, but this is a great gesture.

Reading his story of the goal against the 'noses three things shine through:

- his love for the Villa
- how much the shirt means to him
- his hatred of Blues

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/23/gabby-agbonlahor-raffling-aston-villa-shirt-for-nhs-coronavirus-birmingham?

Ps - when did he become so eloquent?
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: LeeB on April 23, 2020, 03:48:11 PM
We probably all condemned him for being an arse the way that his career petered out at Villa Park, but this is a great gesture.

Reading his story of the goal against the 'noses three things shine through:

- his love for the Villa
- how much the shirt means to him
- his hatred of Blues

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/23/gabby-agbonlahor-raffling-aston-villa-shirt-for-nhs-coronavirus-birmingham?

Ps - when did he become so eloquent?

Good lad.

He fucked up, no doubt, but provided more joyous moments that many better players that have worn the shirt.

And I honestly don't think I've ever celebrated a Villa goal with as much laughter as the goal in the article. It was piss funny seeing them wilt as soon as he came on the pitch, despite the fact he'd been no use for ages.
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: Villan82 on April 23, 2020, 04:54:08 PM
Gabby gave good service from 2006-2015. Sherwood's run at the end of 2014-15 is the last time Gabby showed quality. Maybe it's a pity he didn't drop down a division to another club at that point?
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: Nev on April 23, 2020, 05:43:19 PM
He turned that game because they were shit scared of him and he shithoused them and their fans. When he put the shoulder in then faced down the filth in the lower Witton Lane it bought about the biggest cheer of the game, at least until he scored.
I do have one question though, if he lives on his own why has he got a trampoline?
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: LeeB on April 23, 2020, 06:13:31 PM
He turned that game because they were shit scared of him and he shithoused them and their fans. When he put the shoulder in then faced down the filth in the lower Witton Lane it bought about the biggest cheer of the game, at least until he scored.
I do have one question though, if he lives on his own why has he got a trampoline?

I seem to remember that he may have a child, I suppose they might visit?

Or else there's a fit bird lives over one of the fences.
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: Rigadon on April 23, 2020, 07:24:37 PM
Still only 33...  Nice gesture.
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: Somniloquism on April 23, 2020, 08:17:05 PM
He turned that game because they were shit scared of him and he shithoused them and their fans. When he put the shoulder in then faced down the filth in the lower Witton Lane it bought about the biggest cheer of the game, at least until he scored.

He turned that game because it was the only time in the last few years of his career when he actually cared about football and decided to play like we knew he could.
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: Rory on April 23, 2020, 08:18:27 PM
Can I ask a genuine question: what did Gabby do to piss us off so much around that 15-16 season? I've heard lots of references to him being pissed in hotel rooms and a 'santa video'.

I was unemployed at that time so couldn't afford to go to games, and not entirely 'present' due to being in a relationship with various substances. After getting myself sorted, I haven't wanted to revisit it because I prefer to remember Gabby in his '07-'10 peak.
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: SoccerHQ on April 23, 2020, 08:52:18 PM
Good for him.

He's not all bad.
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: brontebilly on April 23, 2020, 10:05:36 PM
Can I ask a genuine question: what did Gabby do to piss us off so much around that 15-16 season? I've heard lots of references to him being pissed in hotel rooms and a 'santa video'.

I was unemployed at that time so couldn't afford to go to games, and not entirely 'present' due to being in a relationship with various substances. After getting myself sorted, I haven't wanted to revisit it because I prefer to remember Gabby in his '07-'10 peak.

Gabby was a disgrace to the shirt that season. Remember Neville and Lampard laughing at him at half time at Spurs given his lack of effort in the first half. He had a brief resurgence for a while under Lambert one season where we scraped past relegation, got back in the England reckoning but didn't bother showing up if I recall. But that was it really from the post MON days, practically washed up at 24 years of age. Huge disappointment given his potential, remember him torching the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and United on great away days.
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: Legion on April 23, 2020, 10:45:45 PM
He turned that game because they were shit scared of him and he shithoused them and their fans. When he put the shoulder in then faced down the filth in the lower Witton Lane it bought about the biggest cheer of the game, at least until he scored.
I do have one question though, if he lives on his own why has he got a trampoline?

I seem to remember that he may have a child, I suppose they might visit?

Or else there's a fit bird lives over one of the fences.

He does have a child. Regularly used to take him to kids football matches held at the EDC in Walsall. He always used to stand well away from everyone with his hood up.
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: Stu82 on April 23, 2020, 10:48:07 PM
Good on you Gabby

Shows how vicious this virus is hitting an athlete for six like that.
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: Somniloquism on April 23, 2020, 11:02:10 PM
Maybe something was happening off the pitch with his personal life, (it was a mess afterall) or something else but my take was he fell out of love with his job. He was never naturally skillful but had pace*. Things started to go downhill when he decided to bulk up in the one summer. This cost him his fastest pace but also meant his body shape changed enough that he started to get more niggly injuries. However he still gave his all but deep down it was still just a job. Then as the injuries kept on building up, his money meaning he was pretty much set and the club starting to decline, he "stopped" working. I would say his last big hoorah was when him, Benteke and the Weeman was in a three. Maybe because the pressure wasn't on him, maybe because of Sherwood or maybe because he was playing for a new contract, but he seemed to be at his best then.

Of course as fans, we can forgive a lot but not appearing to even try during a match is not one of them. And especially as we know Gabby is a fan and we have several seasons of seeing what he can do. So when he can't be arsed and is one of the best paid players at the club and captain, plus the off field antics mentioned and the general malaise at the club, someone was going to get it.

TBH, retiring just past 30 with no injuries shows his attitude to the game at the end. Compare to Petrov for example who just wanted to play even after his fight for life.


*Nike setup Gabby and Lennon to see who was the fastest with and without the ball, Gabby won the foot race but Lennon the one with the ball and the overall although admittedly it was 10ths of a second.
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: Legion on April 23, 2020, 11:04:13 PM
Fair play to him for this, even though I used to refer to him as Flabby Onegoalayear or Flabby Aintgonnascore at the end of his time with us thanks to BE!
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: Meanwood Villa on April 23, 2020, 11:16:31 PM
I'd almost forgotten that derby. Just spent the last 20 mins or so watching YouTube clips. Had to be him that scored didn't it? Hilarious stuff, shame they fluked staying up again that year.
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: LeeB on April 24, 2020, 02:34:43 PM
Can I ask a genuine question: what did Gabby do to piss us off so much around that 15-16 season? I've heard lots of references to him being pissed in hotel rooms and a 'santa video'.

I was unemployed at that time so couldn't afford to go to games, and not entirely 'present' due to being in a relationship with various substances. After getting myself sorted, I haven't wanted to revisit it because I prefer to remember Gabby in his '07-'10 peak.

Good for you for sorting out your issues, and you're a welcome addition on here pal.
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: Mister E on April 24, 2020, 02:42:50 PM
Maybe something was happening off the pitch with his personal life, (it was a mess afterall) or something else but my take was he fell out of love with his job. He was never naturally skillful but had pace*. Things started to go downhill when he decided to bulk up in the one summer. This cost him his fastest pace but also meant his body shape changed enough that he started to get more niggly injuries. However he still gave his all but deep down it was still just a job. Then as the injuries kept on building up, his money meaning he was pretty much set and the club starting to decline, he "stopped" working. I would say his last big hoorah was when him, Benteke and the Weeman was in a three. Maybe because the pressure wasn't on him, maybe because of Sherwood or maybe because he was playing for a new contract, but he seemed to be at his best then.

Of course as fans, we can forgive a lot but not appearing to even try during a match is not one of them. And especially as we know Gabby is a fan and we have several seasons of seeing what he can do. So when he can't be arsed and is one of the best paid players at the club and captain, plus the off field antics mentioned and the general malaise at the club, someone was going to get it.

TBH, retiring just past 30 with no injuries shows his attitude to the game at the end. Compare to Petrov for example who just wanted to play even after his fight for life.


*Nike setup Gabby and Lennon to see who was the fastest with and without the ball, Gabby won the foot race but Lennon the one with the ball and the overall although admittedly it was 10ths of a second.
Are you referring to Wee Barry Bannan?  ;D You mean Weimann of course - for a while, I genuinely thought we'd got a winning front trio.
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: Rory on April 24, 2020, 04:08:58 PM
Can I ask a genuine question: what did Gabby do to piss us off so much around that 15-16 season? I've heard lots of references to him being pissed in hotel rooms and a 'santa video'.

I was unemployed at that time so couldn't afford to go to games, and not entirely 'present' due to being in a relationship with various substances. After getting myself sorted, I haven't wanted to revisit it because I prefer to remember Gabby in his '07-'10 peak.

Good for you for sorting out your issues, and you're a welcome addition on here pal.

Cheers Lee!
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: Legion on April 24, 2020, 04:19:23 PM
Seconded.
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: Stu on April 25, 2020, 02:34:56 PM
Can we please not forget Gabby shithousing that kid from One Direction in Stan's testimonial at Parkhead? Hit him so hard the lad was puking on the sideline.
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: LeeB on April 25, 2020, 03:15:48 PM
Yes, that was top drawer.
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: Rory on April 26, 2020, 12:49:27 AM
Seconded.

Thanks Leeg.

And I didn't find it funny that lad throwing up, but the challenge was brilliant. It has been said so many times, but it was the perfect illustration of just how strong these professional athletes are compared to normal people. Beautiful in its brutality, but the best bit was all the teenage girls suddenly stop squealing as Gabby clattered him.
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: brian green on April 26, 2020, 07:38:08 AM
Nice gesture by Gabby.  I have a shirt with his name on it hanging in my wardrobe I loved him in the early years.  The apogee of his plunge from grace was, for me, encapsulated by the Secret Santa video.  He was the ringleader of the anti French anti foreign cabal who bossed the Villa dressing room.  His malign influence at that time drove talented players away and cemented bad, unmotivated ones in place.
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: dcdavecollett on April 26, 2020, 11:13:41 PM
Along with putting over a stone in weight on.

That's Gabby, not you Brian, BTW.
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: Rory on April 26, 2020, 11:48:13 PM
Nice gesture by Gabby.  I have a shirt with his name on it hanging in my wardrobe I loved him in the early years.  The apogee of his plunge from grace was, for me, encapsulated by the Secret Santa video.  He was the ringleader of the anti French anti foreign cabal who bossed the Villa dressing room.  His malign influence at that time drove talented players away and cemented bad, unmotivated ones in place.

Not defending him, but is that Gabby's fault or Sherwood's?
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: brian green on April 27, 2020, 07:54:38 AM
Both.  Gabby for doing it and Sherwood for letting him do it.   Sherwood had got the hump at not being allowed to sign his crazily priced mates. 
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: Rory on April 27, 2020, 09:53:54 AM
Both.  Gabby for doing it and Sherwood for letting him do it.   Sherwood had got the hump at not being allowed to sign his crazily priced mates.

Mad to think we won the first game that season and I actually felt relatively confident.
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: curiousorange on April 27, 2020, 06:15:45 PM
Both.  Gabby for doing it and Sherwood for letting him do it.   Sherwood had got the hump at not being allowed to sign his crazily priced mates.

Mad to think we won the first game that season and I actually felt relatively confident.

I remember watching Liverpool play the day after, watching Benteke and thinking 'at least we've got Gestede to replace him'.

To be fair, I was following the Bournemouth game on an intermittent Twitter feed.
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: BoVillan esq on April 27, 2020, 09:42:03 PM
We probably all condemned him for being an arse the way that his career petered out at Villa Park, but this is a great gesture.

Reading his story of the goal against the 'noses three things shine through:

- his love for the Villa
- how much the shirt means to him
- his hatred of Blues

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/23/gabby-agbonlahor-raffling-aston-villa-shirt-for-nhs-coronavirus-birmingham?

Ps - when did he become so eloquent?

Good lad.

He fucked up, no doubt, but provided more joyous moments that many better players that have worn the shirt.

And I honestly don't think I've ever celebrated a Villa goal with as much laughter as the goal in the article. It was piss funny seeing them wilt as soon as he came on the pitch, despite the fact he'd been no use for ages.

Same here, in my opinion Gabby was product of a club in terminal decline, that said some of the memories he gave us on pitch where electric, in his day when he turned on the speed and ripped through the best defenders like they was standing still always made me laugh, you could almost read the expression on opposition defenders faces, 'WTF was that'. Massive amount of work for charity long may it continue.
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: BoVillan esq on April 27, 2020, 09:51:19 PM
Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: BoVillan esq on April 27, 2020, 09:58:16 PM
Had to put this on.



Title: Re: Gabby's shirt - being raffled to help the NHS
Post by: LukeJames on April 27, 2020, 10:01:18 PM
He gave me some of my best memories, that is all.
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