Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Andy1874 on January 11, 2013, 01:00:55 AM
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For me, being relatively young it would be Martin Laursen followed closely by JPA. Just loved his passion, and drive. He was an animal at times. Yet such a nice guy (without his injuries he could have been once of the best centre halfs in Europe)
Yours ?
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Martin Laursen, Milner, Ash and Freddie Bouma in that order would make so much stronger right now.
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With our defensive woes at the moment, the obvious choice is McGrath as he is one of the very few genuinely world class players I've seen play for Villa in my lifetime.
I was thinking the other the day though how we could do with a few signings like Alan Wright, Kevin Richardson and Ian Taylor right now - good, honest, no nonsense pros who perform week in week out. I tried to think of a few modern players like that and just don't think those kind of players exist in great numbers anymore in this country.
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Mcgrath to play centre midfield, put him in front of the back 4 and we would stay up
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If you can only pick one, then it's Milner for me. Our midfield is simply non-existant.
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Gary Shaw and Sid.
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Our Lord.
I'd play him at right back, left back, centre half and centre midfield.
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With our defensive woes at the moment, the obvious choice is McGrath as he is one of the very few genuinely world class players I've seen play for Villa in my lifetime.
I was thinking the other the day though how we could do with a few signings like Alan Wright, Kevin Richardson and Ian Taylor right now - good, honest, no nonsense pros who perform week in week out. I tried to think of a few modern players like that and just don't think those kind of players exist in great numbers anymore in this country.
The problem is the game is so much quicker now than it was in the mid-90s those players were good solid pros at that time. I question whether if you took the Rico or tayls of the mid-90s and dropped them into any premiership side of the current time, they would be as effective as they were back then.
Before the qpr match a few weeks back I watched the villa v qpr match from 93 on avtv where we were 2-1 down and came back to win 4-2. Apart from the obvious enjoyment of watching such a great comeback and the trip down memory lane, the main thing that struck me was how slow the game seemed and how much time on the ball the players got back then.
How would they fare in today's game I wonder?
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Terrible question, we can't live in the past. Not in times likes these. I'm sorry, but conversation like this is as desperate and unconstructive as it gets.
I want to have a better future, look forward.
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McGrath, no contest.
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Terrible question, we can't live in the past. Not in times likes these. I'm sorry, but conversation like this is as desperate and unconstructive as it gets.
I want to have a better future, look forward.
Relax, FFS. While it has been a bit shit around here this thread isn't meant to be serious. If you want to be completely miserable there's loads of other threads you can find to satisfy yourself.
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Milner. Purely because he's still playing and would improve our midfield no end.
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Over recent years - Milner.
Over last 30 years - McGrath , was a privilege to watch him every week !
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If its players still currently playing then Gareth Barry without question. Always bemuses me how Milner who gave the club half a season where he was more than above average is thought of more highly than Barry who gave us 10 years or so and was our best midfielder for years. Barry and Young combined superbly together.
To be fair Steve Sidwell and Craig Gardner would be a huge improvement on what we have now which kind of says it all for how much we have fallen. Peter Whittingham is another one who would walk into our side
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Well obviously McGrath. but I'd argue that teh back 4 needs protection first and foremost so would go with a kevin Richardson type player first and foremost. Maybe Dennis or Dessie. Cropley could do a job, too.
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Didier Agathe or Isaiah Osbourne. They'd complement our current side perfectly.
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Martin Laursen, James Milner, Ashley Young, Ian Taylor and a consistant J P Angel
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McGrath.
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Mike Pejic, Neale Cooper, Trevor Hockey and George Curtis.
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Terrible question, we can't live in the past. Not in times likes these. I'm sorry, but conversation like this is as desperate and unconstructive as it gets.
I want to have a better future, look forward.
You are quite obviously right..But as it doesnt matter Ray Graydon.
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Mike Pejic, Neale Cooper, Trevor Hockey and George Curtis.
Ah neale cooper, how sad that we never got to see the best of him during his injury ravaged time here.
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Martin Laursen, Milner, Ash and Freddie Bouma in that order would make so much stronger right now.
Laursen for me. He'd single-handedly keep us up. Milner a very close second.
Laursen and Bouma were great signings and, despite our hatred of him, were not a bad legacy from DOL. Also, Milner's association with Villa began when DOL brought him in on loan. We actually had a much better side in 2005-06 than we do now. At the time, the likes of Gavin McCanns and Aaron Hughes didn't look world beaters but at least they were experience pros and the likes of Cahill, Davis and Moore didn't have to take full responsibility for our survival.
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Martin Laursen, Milner, Ash and Freddie Bouma in that order would make so much stronger right now.
Laursen for me. He'd single-handedly keep us up. Milner a very close second.
Laursen and Bouma were great signings and, despite our hatred of him, were not a bad legacy from DOL. Also, Milner's association with Villa began when DOL brought him in on loan. We actually had a much better side in 2005-06 than we do now. At the time, the likes of Gavin McCanns and Aaron Hughes didn't look world beaters but at least they were experience pros and the likes of Cahill, Davis and Moore didn't have to take full responsibility for our survival.
Nice post Iv, although he seemed to constantly talk the club down I guess looking at it dol did bring in some quality players during his time , just a pity he couldn't motivate or organise then better.
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Mark Lillis
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Jebus! Where would you start?! Allan Evans and Paul McGrath into defence. Sid, Sir Dennis, and Platt into midfield. And if the flux capacitor has got a bit of juice left in it, maybe Brian Little to help out in attack. That'd sort us out a bit, I'm sure!
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Gary Cahill.
Mwahahahahahaaaa!
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Our Lord.
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In recent times Laursen or Mellberg(I'd plump for the latter on injury record), because we badly need some bottle and strength in the back line.
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Ian Taylor. All day long. Tireless midfielder who actually attacked the opposition box. We haven't had one of those in bloody ages.
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With the team as it is, Andy Townsend, Laursen, Milner and McGrath. Two great centre backs and two centre mids would help us no end.
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We've never replaced Billy Walker.
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McGrath at back and Cowans in the middle.
Currently playing I would opt for Milner.
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We desperately need a Richardson, Taylor or a Townsend but seeing as we need a skipper just as much and a bit of guts and passion.
Martin Laursen all day long.
Would love him to be back at the club in any capacity - what a legend.
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We desperately need a Richardson, Taylor or a Townsend but seeing as we need a skipper just as much and a bit of guts and passion.
Martin Laursen all day long.
Would love him to be back at the club in any capacity - what a legend.
Martin Laursen could probably still do it given all we need is someone to stay in the middle and get his head to the ball.
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Andy Gray - the best and most exciting striker the club has ever had. In more recent times it would be a toss up between Ashley Young and Gareth Barry. Boy do we miss them.
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It's gotta be Laursen. There was a time when he was genuinely the best centre half in the league, and we desperately need his experience, leadership, and raw talent at the moment. There's a reason I have the latest Villa shirts, but with his name on the back. Best Villa player I've ever watched by a country mile.
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Milner. Midfield is what we need more than anything.
Or Laursen, just so as he can do his nodding dog impression when turned by pace.
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From recent times, Laursen, McGrath and Barry. Real blasts from the past Johnny Dixon and a player I only saw play three or four times for us, Danny Blanchflower. "Pass the hot milk please."
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Midfield and central defence are so weak right now that you could pick any number of ex-players who would improve us.
And how about Steve Staunton at LB?
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Athersmith. I want to see him bomb down the wing carrying his umbrella when it rains.
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for me has to be Gareth Barry say what you like about him but he's the reason behind man citys succes and he'd sort our midifeld out straight away
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Milner for me. He'd make a massive difference to our midfield at the moment.
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Got to admit threads like this bore me to tears.
"I want Gareth Barry back"
"Oh I want James Milner back"
"Oh I want Paul mcgrath back"
"Oh I'm wallowing in self pity"
"Oh me too"
"Oh this thread's not repetitive and pointless in any way"
"Oh no sirree"
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Some of these might do the job, they seem to have been moderately successful.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/readers/2010/11/21/avilla18991111_1.jpg
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Got to admit threads like this bore me to tears.
"I want Gareth Barry back"
"Oh I want James Milner back"
"Oh I want Paul mcgrath back"
"Oh I'm wallowing in self pity"
"Oh me too"
"Oh this thread's not repetitive and pointless in any way"
"Oh no sirree"
And yet you choose to read and post in them. If you dislike threads like this so much then just ignore them.
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Paul Birch.
He is exactly what we are missing. Heart, desire, passion and intelligence.
RIP Paul.
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Paul Birch.
He is exactly what we are missing. Heart, desire, passion and intelligence.
RIP Paul.
Very very true.
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Milner.
We need an engine.
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Ashley Young + Benteke = Mucho's golas.
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Mcgrath , Cowans and Yorke .
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Got to admit threads like this bore me to tears.
"I want Gareth Barry back"
"Oh I want James Milner back"
"Oh I want Paul mcgrath back"
"Oh I'm wallowing in self pity"
"Oh me too"
"Oh this thread's not repetitive and pointless in any way"
"Oh no sirree"
Repetitive and pointless.
Mr pot, let me introduce you to Mr kettle
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McGrath for me, Ciaran Clarke and Nathan Baker would come on in leaps and bounds alongside him.
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Andy Townsend.
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Got to admit threads like this bore me to tears.
"I want Gareth Barry back"
"Oh I want James Milner back"
"Oh I want Paul mcgrath back"
"Oh I'm wallowing in self pity"
"Oh me too"
"Oh this thread's not repetitive and pointless in any way"
"Oh no sirree"
And yet you choose to read and post in them. If you dislike threads like this so much then just ignore them.
He's right though, it's like a support group for people who can't get over being dumped.
We've even got people pining for Nigel Reo-Coker.
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Shaun Teale man of steel
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Chris Nichol Leighton Phillips and Bruce Rioch!
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Andy Townsend.
I was watching the 93-94 season on Youtube the other day, and I remember the consensus of the time being that he did't really cut it in his first season with us, which looks faintly ridiculous seeing how many goals he was involved in.
Mind you, we did have high standards then.
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Andy Townsend.
If only to get him off the tele!
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Dennis Mortimer.
Honesty inducing tackles, surging runs, defence splitting passes, leadership in spades and a footballing brain.
And a backbone.
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McGrath or Laursen at the back for me.
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Andy Townsend.
Good call Dave. Had it all as a midfielder (could tackle, was good on the ball, got forward well and scored goals) and was a real leader.
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Gavin McCann.
Nah, Martin Laursen. For his leadership as much as anything. There was a point where I felt he sort of inspired the other players just by being there.
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Andy Townsend.
Good call Dave. Had it all as a midfielder (could tackle, was good on the ball, got forward well and scored goals) and was a real leader.
Was just about to come on and say AT. Probably the most complete midfielder we've had for, well a long time. Would've sorted this rabble out, if only.
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Ian Taylor would sort the midfield out no probs.
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Milner.
We need an engine.
Milner is a decent player but nothing more nothing less. Still we could do with him.
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God all day long.
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McGraph - would sort the defence out.
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In view of where our current problems lie, then I'd say McGrath or Laursen but I'd also like to see a 90's David Platt back again. (Not the current David Platt as he seems like a right arse)
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Steve Staunton. Could do us a job at left back, centre back or even defensive midfield. Winner.
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Just to throw his name in really, but a fit Mark Delaney.
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George Boateng.
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Taylor
Laursen
God
Waring
Athersmith
Devey
McParland
Townsend
Shaw
Morley
Rimmer
Houghton
etc etc
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Yorke?
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Petrov.
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Cowans and Platt
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Judging by the transfer thread I expected more people to say NRC...
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Milner.
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Got to be Shaun Teale or Alan Evans in defence - wouldn't concede so many soft goals with those two hard men.
And we need to reunite a midfield of Oscar Arce and Barry Hole - can't be as shit as our existing midfield!
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Dennis Mortimer
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Milner / McGrath / Lauren
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Judging by the transfer thread I expected more people to say NRC...
Amen brother.
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Of current players, would love Milner followed by Barry
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Absolute lunacy to suggest anyone other than our lord. In fact it is blasphemy to suggest anyone other than Paul McGrath.
There is and shall be no other.
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if it was outside current players, would love Sid back, as good as McGrath was
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if it was outside current players, would love Sid back, as good as McGrath was
Loved Sid, was one of the most underrated English footballers. He was not God and therefore you are a herotic.
There is but one God.
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Gotta be Macca, what an amazing privilege it was to see him wear the beautiful claret and blue kit
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One from left field - and not a player we need just now, but.....
The Didier Six that turned up on his debut against Man U - one of the best performances i ever saw from a player in a Villa shirt - obviously it was a one off as he was garbage afterwards - love to know if anyone else remembers that game - my sketchy memory thinks we won 3-0, was a great day.
More on topic though - can't go past the legend that is Sid - with a little dose of Peter Withe, just for the beard.
UTV
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The Northern Irish trio of Blanchflower, Nicholl and McParland. Those three together could carry any eight make weights from our history you care to throw together.
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Absolute lunacy to suggest anyone other than our lord. In fact it is blasphemy to suggest anyone other than Paul McGrath.
There is and shall be no other.
Apart from NRC. He is the true giver of light...
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I want two back at least. Olof Melberg and Martin Laursen, would be a start.
Stylian Petrov and James Milner would be nearly getting us there.
We can but dream.
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Absolute lunacy to suggest anyone other than our lord. In fact it is blasphemy to suggest anyone other than Paul McGrath.
There is and shall be no other.
Apart from NRC. He is the true giver of light...
Testify
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Of the players still playing i would have Gary Cahill.
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I want Mellberg, Laursen, McGrath, Teale, Staunton, Taylor, Sir Dennis Mortimer, Gordon Cowans, Tony Morley, David Platt, James Milner, Ashley Young, Gary Shaw, Brian Little, Gerry Hitchens, Pongo Waring, Danny Blanchflower, and Dean Saunders. But for current players it had to be Jimmy Milner.
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Which player would I have back?
Appreciate this may not be exactly what you meant but I tell you what I'd do if I was Lambert and the best of it is Mr Lerner, it won't even cost you a penny.
I'd nip off to BH where the kids are training and I'd tell Warnock and Hutton theyre back in the squad.
Giving a back four of
Warnock. - Vlaar. - Lowton - Hutton
Till Dunnes fit. Then he can partner Vlaar and Lowton can go to right back again.
Then I'd put my arm round Darren Bent and tell him he's starting every game till the end of the season. That MIGHT be enough to keep us up.
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I was just wondering if we ever had any ex bricklayers play for us, he could brick up the goalmouth cos thats the only were gonna keep a clean sheet these days.