Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Villa Lew on November 25, 2023, 10:49:37 AM

Title: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Villa Lew on November 25, 2023, 10:49:37 AM
The great man turns 70 today. Happy birthday Brian.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: eamonn on November 25, 2023, 10:51:48 AM
May he continue to acquaplane (safely - he is seventy after all).
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Exeter 77 on November 25, 2023, 10:58:10 AM
A footballer who made the game look effortless.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: steamer on November 25, 2023, 11:49:14 AM
Birthday greetings Sir Brian
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Mister E on November 25, 2023, 11:56:36 AM
In my top-three of players I've been privileged to watch (and he's only 5 years' older than me??!).
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: ChicagoLion on November 25, 2023, 12:02:37 PM
What a player.
Nice bloke and Villa man.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Stu82 on November 25, 2023, 01:21:48 PM
Hero to all of a certain age.

Happy Birthday
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Witton Warrior on November 25, 2023, 01:59:47 PM
It was an honour to watch him in his pomp.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Luffbralion on November 25, 2023, 02:53:43 PM
What a player.
Nice bloke and Villa man.
Heard Brian give a talk to the referees' association here in Loughborough when he was managing Leicester. He was amusing and engaging and nothing was too much trouble when asked for autographs, etc. Top bloke, outstanding player and Villa through and through. I will always cherish his hat-trick at Highbury when we brushed aside QPR in the 1977 semi final replay. What a night.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: PeterWithesShin on November 25, 2023, 04:50:05 PM
Brian was my first hero as a nipper, and as saft as it sounds over 45 years later he's still my hero.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: dr.chekov on November 25, 2023, 04:51:33 PM
Brian was my first hero as a nipper, and as saft as it sounds over 45 years later he's still my hero.

Exactly the same for me. The greatest.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: dave shelley on November 25, 2023, 04:59:07 PM
What a player.
Nice bloke and Villa man.
Heard Brian give a talk to the referees' association here in Loughborough when he was managing Leicester. He was amusing and engaging and nothing was too much trouble when asked for autographs, etc. Top bloke, outstanding player and Villa through and through. I will always cherish his hat-trick at Highbury when we brushed aside QPR in the 1977 semi final replay. What a night.

Indeed what a night.  I was there and I've posted before that I have no idea how we travelled there.  I asked my mate who I always went to away games with and he can't remember either.  The only thing I can think of is that we travelled in a third parties car.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: stubbsyandy on November 25, 2023, 05:05:35 PM
Happy Birthday to you my all time favourite player, you really do walk on water and a privilege to have met you
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on November 25, 2023, 05:23:27 PM
It was an honour to watch him in his pomp.

It was an honour to watch him in his pomp standing on the half way line looking disinterested. As Aesop said when watching Sir Brian, 'appearances can be deceiving'. When the opposition defender realised Little had made his run he'd already lost him. I'm struggling to think of another Villa striker that had such a burst of speed. Such a beautiful and intelligent player to watch.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on November 25, 2023, 05:40:36 PM
(https://www.thevillablog.co.uk/images/brian-little-jumping.jpg)
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Chris Harte on November 25, 2023, 05:50:55 PM
I was too young to remember him as a player but his team of 95/96 was the best I've seen, and I was honoured to tell him so face-to-face about five years back.

Happy 70th, Brian.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on November 25, 2023, 06:08:10 PM
The semi...3rd game at Highbury.



The final...3rd game at Old Trafford.





Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Villa Lew on November 25, 2023, 06:28:08 PM
(https://www.thevillablog.co.uk/images/brian-little-jumping.jpg)

Brian Little in the air, one of my favourite photos of him.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Lucky Eddie on November 25, 2023, 07:15:50 PM
The buld up of excitement that preceeded Brian's inevitable appointment as our Manager may never be seen again.

Happy Birthday Brian.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Brazilian Villain on November 25, 2023, 07:31:32 PM
Brian Little in the air, one of my favourite photos of him.

It's one of the great Villa photos, can't think of many better.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: waringpongo on November 25, 2023, 07:39:41 PM
Privileged to have seen him apply his genius ability for the Villa. Happy Birthday Legend.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Brazilian Villain on November 25, 2023, 07:41:46 PM
Privileged to have seen him apply his genius ability for the Villa.

Old enough to have seen him play, but too young to remember it.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on November 25, 2023, 07:55:28 PM
The buld up of excitement that preceeded Brian's inevitable appointment as our Manager may never be seen again.

Matched only by the bad feeling, bile, and general resentment in Leicester.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Witton Warrior on November 25, 2023, 08:16:09 PM
What a player.
Nice bloke and Villa man.
Heard Brian give a talk to the referees' association here in Loughborough when he was managing Leicester. He was amusing and engaging and nothing was too much trouble when asked for autographs, etc. Top bloke, outstanding player and Villa through and through. I will always cherish his hat-trick at Highbury when we brushed aside QPR in the 1977 semi final replay. What a night.

Indeed what a night.  I was there and I've posted before that I have no idea how we travelled there.  I asked my mate who I always went to away games with and he can't remember either.  The only thing I can think of is that we travelled in a third parties car.

Me and a mate went on a special but had no idea where Highbury was. We had no money to get in so simply asked people in the queue if they would give us 10pences and bless them they did! Fantastic memory

For the second goal there is a white flag being waved wildly - that's me that is
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on November 25, 2023, 08:34:18 PM
Brian was my first hero as a nipper, and as saft as it sounds over 45 years later he's still my hero.

You’ve gone saft.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: JD on November 25, 2023, 08:39:04 PM
Brian was my first hero as a nipper, and as saft as it sounds over 45 years later he's still my hero.

Yep, me as well. Happy Birthday Sir Brian.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on November 25, 2023, 09:03:42 PM

Wales go 2-1 up, Revie takes off Channon and brings on Brian to save England blushes.
The start of an international career that was to total 20 minutes !
5:14 onwards for the Brian Little show.

Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: steamer on November 26, 2023, 04:52:08 AM
And his reward was. to never be picked again
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Rory on November 26, 2023, 05:50:38 AM
Happy birthday Brian. First Villa manager I remember and one of only two that I've met. A gentleman and a legend.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Clampy on November 26, 2023, 07:42:13 AM
Don't remember him as a player but my brother loved him. I've met him a couple of times though, lovely man.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Virgil Caine on November 26, 2023, 07:45:15 AM
Watched one of his first games for Villa, versus Torquay United at Villa Park. Scored and assisted in two at least, in a 5-1  win. Knew even then that we were in the presence of greatness as even if he had an off day he was still better than all the rest. Happy Birthday HWWOW.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: dave shelley on November 26, 2023, 09:07:07 AM
Watched one of his first games for Villa, versus Torquay United at Villa Park. Scored and assisted in two at least, in a 5-1  win. Knew even then that we were in the presence of greatness as even if he had an off day he was still better than all the rest. Happy Birthday HWWOW.

That would have been his debut I believe.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Nunkin1965 on November 26, 2023, 10:03:36 AM
Wednesday 28th August 1974 was my first game at VIlla Park at 8 years old against Hull City.
I would have witnessed Brian scoring Villa's 4th goal but left just after so missed the last two to make it 6-0.
I didn't realise that it was Ron Saunders' first win as Villa manager though.
The start of a fantastic journey.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Virgil Caine on November 26, 2023, 04:56:20 PM
Watched one of his first games for Villa, versus Torquay United at Villa Park. Scored and assisted in two at least, in a 5-1  win. Knew even then that we were in the presence of greatness as even if he had an off day he was still better than all the rest. Happy Birthday HWWOW.

That would have been his debut I believe.

I think this has come up before but I think HWWOW came on as a substitute at an away game prior to the Torquay game. Certainly his home debut though (I think!)
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: jwarry on November 26, 2023, 04:57:49 PM
Happy birthday my hero
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Martyn Smith on November 26, 2023, 06:33:30 PM
And his reward was. to never be picked again

Back then there was serious bias against certain clubs players being picked.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on November 26, 2023, 07:50:56 PM
Watched one of his first games for Villa, versus Torquay United at Villa Park. Scored and assisted in two at least, in a 5-1  win. Knew even then that we were in the presence of greatness as even if he had an off day he was still better than all the rest. Happy Birthday HWWOW.

That would have been his debut I believe.

I think this has come up before but I think HWWOW came on as a substitute at an away game prior to the Torquay game. Certainly his home debut though (I think!)

30/10/71 Villa 4 Blackburn 1.. Came on as a 69th minute sub aged 17 for Davie Gibson.
29/4/72  Villa 5 Torquay 1...First start, scored in 31st minute and provided assist for Geoff Vowden in 61st minute, in what was our penultimate 3rd division game that secured the title ahead of Brighton.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: tony scott on November 26, 2023, 08:26:57 PM
Saw him play really skillfull part ot that great villa trio little Gray and Deehan.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: dcdavecollett on November 28, 2023, 12:48:36 AM
A truly breath-taking player. Such a shame he was done down by injury.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: dcdavecollett on November 28, 2023, 01:50:31 AM
...and on the subject of his Greatness's twenty minutes of international football, Brian got his chance after Keegan had thrown a strop and walked out of the squad. BL played really well, making the equaliser and almost scoring himself. I recall Geoffrey Green describing him as 'sharp as a pin'.

What happened next? Keegan decoded he wanted to play for England after all, walked straight back into the team and Our Brian never played for England again, irrespective of his form.

Take a guess what I think of Don Revie.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: olaftab on November 29, 2023, 09:27:54 AM
Amongst many things I grateful to Brian for is the fact that his birthday is a day before SWMBO's so I can remember to buy a present just in time.
Title: Re: Brian Little 70 today
Post by: Dave on December 04, 2023, 06:45:03 PM
The always enjoyable Quickly Kevin Will He Score podcast has an hour long interview with Sir Brian about the '94 - '98 team, out today.

Not listened to it yet, but can't imagine it'll be anything other than charming.
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