Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: PaulTheVillan on December 04, 2012, 08:34:45 AM
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ma' lord.
53 today.
(http://www.premierleagueheroes.co.uk/communities/2/004/008/595/722/images/4541711460.jpg)
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53
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The greatest Villa player i've ever seen.
At his height for us, i'd say he was probably the best centre half in the world (with Baresi).
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The greatest Villa player i've ever seen.
At his height for us, i'd say he was probably the best centre half in the world (with Baresi).
I remember when we signed him my old man told me that we'd just signed the best defender in the country and to take no notice that his knees were shot. He certainly got that one right. I remember him making a young Ryan Giggs look slow simply down to his reading of the game. Class, utter class.
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The greatest Villa player i've ever seen.
At his height for us, i'd say he was probably the best centre half in the world (with Baresi).
I remember when we signed him my old man told me that we'd just signed the best defender in the country and to take no notice that his knees were shot. He certainly got that one right. I remember him making a young Ryan Giggs look slow simply down to his reading of the game. Class, utter class.
Yeah,I remember we played them twice within a week or so in 92,and he kept Giggs,Cantona and co all quiet. Best Villa player I've ever seen. Happy Birthday.
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53
Oh yeah. Ran out of fingers and toes.
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Simply the finest player I have ever seen in a Villa shirt.
Happy Birthday Lord.
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Also,
50 today.
(http://www.sporttraininguk.com/Exercises/a1fcf114-f121-4a8c-ade4-ee712e0aea09.jpg)
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Fucking hell, time is flying. I bet Spinksy is about 76 soon.
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Echoing what others have said, probably the best player I've seen in a Villa shirt. One thing that always springs to mind is when he used to get the ball on the edge of the box and go on a little run. He'd just take the ball and run with it in a straight line. Nobody would dare tackle him until the final third where he'd get rid. It only happened occasionally, but whenever he went on one of those runs I always remember thinking 'why doesn't anybody tackle him?' The answer was, of course, because they were in the presence of God.
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I honestly feel for a lot of Villa fans these days that never saw him play. A true legend. Not a legend, like some of the modern day era, as that word seems to be rather loosley used these days, but there can be no doubt that Paul fits into that category.
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Best Villa player I've ever seen, absolute gent as well
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Still recall watching him in a friendly at Villa Park vs Hibs. Head, shoulders, knees and toes above everyone else on the pitch and despite all of his well documented issues, remained consistently outstanding in his time with us. Happy Birthday sir.
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I thought this was a lovely thread to cheer up Risso on his birthday.
Happy birthday to lord Paul. He was a true great, and deserves every bit of praise he gets. His book was very moving too.
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I can't remember ever seeing another defender who'd you pay to watch. We've had good defenders before and since, but watching McGrath was actually exciting like the best attacking players.
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true gent.
Happy bday God , yes best player Ive seen in a Villa shirt and have seen a few since '73
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Had a number 5 on the back of my first ever Villa shirt.
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Simply the best.
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Happy Birthday Macca, legend!
Big Happy Brithday to captain Kev. We would be just fine with him in the centre of the park now....
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I echo what has been said about the big man, also, with regard to Ricco, i'd just like to say-sing......
When Ricco went up to lift the league cup
We were there
We were there
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My favourite all time Villa player I've had the pleasure of meeting him true gent Happy Birthday God.
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Happy Birthday Paul and Kevin!
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The greatest Villa player i've ever seen.
At his height for us, i'd say he was probably the best centre half in the world (with Baresi).
Well, Baresi thought so, so that should be good enough for anyone.
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I still prefer Laursen, (not old enough to have seen much of McGrath) but happy Birthday Paul!
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Happy Birthday Paul - and Kevin - and thanks again!
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I still prefer Laursen, (not old enough to have seen much of McGrath) but happy Birthday Paul!
Larsen was good but God is great. Surely with such a young squad there would be value in asking him in to talk to the defenders about how he played and read the game.
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Laursen was good, as was Mellberg. Southgate was also class IMO, but none of them come close to McGrath.
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I still prefer Laursen, (not old enough to have seen much of McGrath) but happy Birthday Paul!
Larsen was good but God is great. Surely with such a young squad there would be value in asking him in to talk to the defenders about how he played and read the game.
Sadly you can't teach the talent possessed by the blessed one. Happy birthday Paul. You are my number two all time Villa great behind Sir Brian.
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Raise a glass of orange cordial to him.
Hope he is keeping well.
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Greatest reader of the game I have ever seen.
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Amazing, just the most complete player.
I loved watching Paul McGrath, probably more than I'll ever enjoy watching a footballer again.
The art of defending personified.
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Quite simply the finest player I have seen in any position for Villa.
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In 50 years I will still be saying that McGrath was the best player I have ever seen in a Villa shirt. He was that good.
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Agreed, McGrath was the perfect scenario for us. Few injury and off the field problems, Sir Graham to nurture him thrpough and in return we got a truely world class footballer.
And I mean world class, if Mars had challenged Earth to a match i'm sure he would have been in the squad. Will we ever be able to say that about a Villa player again??
And if anyobne is under any doubt, search you tube for some highlights of the Ireland v Italy game at the World Cup in 94 - quite simply it was the the finest individual defensive display by one player I've ever seen (and Italy were no mugs).
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Agreed, McGrath was the perfect scenario for us. Few injury and off the field problems, Sir Graham to nurture him thrpough and in return we got a truely world class footballer.
And I mean world class, if Mars had challenged Earth to a match i'm sure he would have been in the squad. Will we ever be able to say that about a Villa player again??
And if anyobne is under any doubt, search you tube for some highlights of the Ireland v Italy game at the World Cup in 94 - quite simply it was the the finest individual defensive display by one player I've ever seen (and Italy were no mugs).
Think i'm right in saying that Roberto Baggio, who was then regarded as the best player in the world, said McGrath was the best player he ever played against.
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Simply the best player I've seen play for the Villa. He was sublime.
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Laursen was good, as was Mellberg. Southgate was also class IMO, but none of them come close to McGrath.
Good way to sum it up.
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If we ever get anyone better he would have to be immeasurably great.
Big Paul, Happy Birthday mate!
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Happy Birthday to the great man. Having read his autobiography, the fact that he played so well on such a consistent basis was made all the more remarkable considering the personal problems he experienced. Glad to see Kevin Richardson get a mention, as he was a fine player for us during his time at the club.
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In 50 years I will still be saying that McGrath was the best player I have ever seen in a Villa shirt. He was that good.
I don't think that is going to be very difficult by the look of things!