29 years ago this week - McNeill's first game in charge

[Chico Hamilton III]

 
Football: Villa workaholics find inspiration in talent of Hodge
By SIMON JONES
487 words
29 September 1986
The Times
Liverpool ........... 3 Aston Villa ......... 3

Billy McNeill's first League match in charge of Aston Villa was notable not merely because the club at the bottom of the table thoroughly tested the champions. Two penalties, five bookings and six goals brought almost an excess of excitement.
From the fourth minute this was a game which was always trying, and pretty well succeeded, in getting a quart into a pint pot. Hodge set the tempo, gliding forward to volley in Dorigo's cross so neatly and carefully he might have been putting away his best shirt. The unsettled England international stood out for his prodigious industry even though all the outfield players - bar the languid Stainrod - were workaholics.
In the case of an unusually awkward and unbalanced Liverpool defence, however, the overdose of adrenalin was nearly fatal and it was left to Wark's coolness to revive the home side. In the 26th minute he drove precisely inside a post. Then, Thompson having regained the lead for Villa when Grobbelaar chose to demonstrate that he is approaching mastery at the art of dropping hopeful punts into the penalty area. Wark equalized again from the penalty spot just before the interval.
Elliott, who had marked Rush with great effectiveness until that point, was adjudged to have handled the ball as he lunged in front of the Liverpool forward. But if that decision seemed harsh it was balanced by the award of a penalty to Villa 12 minutes into the second half.
This time, Hansen was considered to have offended as he and Hodge became so entwined they could have been performing some kind of expressionistic ballet. Evans banged the ball to the right of the goal and Grobbelaar, poor chap, expertly dived the other way.
Not many teams in recent years have taken the lead three times in a match at Anfield, but Liverpool were not overcome by the novelty. Ten minutes from the end, Beglin broke down the left, Rush weaved inside and rolled the ball invitingly sideways. McMahon, a former Villa player, ran forward eagerly and let fly from 20 yards with one of those shots that dreams are made of: it went right in the top corner.
Afterwards, the creases in McNeill's face all seemed to have turned into smiles. But Kenny Dalglish, the Liverpool player-manager, was even more morose than usual, muttering about 'defensive mistakes. ' Perhaps, after the extraordinary midweek victory over Fulham, he had been expecting to win 10-0 again.

LIVERPOOL: B Grobbelaar; G Gillespie, J Beglin, M Lawrenson, R Whelan, A Hansen, K Dalglish, S Nicol (sub: B Venison), I Rush, J Wark, S McMahon.
ASTON VILLA: N Spink; D Norton, A Dorigo, A Evans, P Elliott, M Keown, P Birch, S Stainrod, G Thompson, S Hodge, S Hunt. Referee: D Shaw. (c) Times Newspapers Ltd, 1986

[glasses]

Knowing what we know now, that report sounds suspiciously like Grobbbelaar had a great day financially.

[Oscar Arce]

Ah, the 'languid' Stainrod. A good description !

[Charlie8182]

From memory, Billy McNeill actually had quite a decent start with a win at Coventry a week later, then home wins against Southampton, Newcastle and Leicester.  Then the team coach was involved in an accident on the way to Man City and we sunk without trace.

[Pat McMahon]

Funny, but in that season of shiteness we managed two draws against Liverpool, sharing 10 goals with them.

[VILLA MOLE]

I remember a headline referring to us at the end of the season which had supposedly

came from McNeil

"ASTON VANILLA ,WE ARE LICKED " ??

[dave shelley]

The first time I recall the old 'Aston Vanilla, everybody licks 'em' was back in 1969, I'm sure there are others on here who may have heard it earlier.

[castlefields_villan]

The first time I recall the old 'Aston Vanilla, everybody licks 'em' was back in 1969, I'm sure there are others on here who may have heard it earlier.

Yes, I remember that around that time - must have been Blues inspired - no doubt enjoying the one time in my 48 years of supporting Villa when they could claim to be better than us - lasted how long ? - 5 years ?? since we came back into the big time in 1975 as far as I'm aware 2002-03 is the one and only year they've finished higher than us - and that was by what ? a couple of places ?

[Oscar Arce]

The first time I recall the old 'Aston Vanilla, everybody licks 'em' was back in 1969, I'm sure there are others on here who may have heard it earlier.

My Dad used to quote that as early as around 66-67 I think, there was also, when I was a nipper, a humorous bus conductor (remember them)? who used to call out 'Hall of Memory' when the number 11 Outer Circle bus stopped at Villa Park. Even as a ten year old I wanted to punch him.

[dave shelley]

I well remember that Hall Of Memory jibe Oscar.  Strangely enough I hadn't thought of it at all since those days.  Thanks for reminding me  you bastard.   

[ADVILLAFAN]

Liverpool ........... 3 Aston Villa ......... 3

Billy McNeill's first League match in charge of Aston Villa was notable not merely because the club at the bottom of the table thoroughly tested the champions

Sounds promising this McNeill, I think he'll do well....

[silhillvilla]

From memory, Billy McNeill actually had quite a decent start with a win at Coventry a week later, then home wins against Southampton, Newcastle and Leicester.  Then the team coach was involved in an accident on the way to Man City and we sunk without trace.

The win at Coventry was good, Bruno goal, and then the skirmishes in the park after the game

[Damo70]

Football: Villa workaholics find inspiration in talent of Hodge
By SIMON JONES
487 words
29 September 1986
The Times
Liverpool ........... 3 Aston Villa ......... 3

Billy McNeill's first League match in charge of Aston Villa was notable not merely because the club at the bottom of the table thoroughly tested the champions. Two penalties, five bookings and six goals brought almost an excess of excitement.
From the fourth minute this was a game which was always trying, and pretty well succeeded, in getting a quart into a pint pot. Hodge set the tempo, gliding forward to volley in Dorigo's cross so neatly and carefully he might have been putting away his best shirt. The unsettled England international stood out for his prodigious industry even though all the outfield players - bar the languid Stainrod - were workaholics.
In the case of an unusually awkward and unbalanced Liverpool defence, however, the overdose of adrenalin was nearly fatal and it was left to Wark's coolness to revive the home side. In the 26th minute he drove precisely inside a post. Then, Thompson having regained the lead for Villa when Grobbelaar chose to demonstrate that he is approaching mastery at the art of dropping hopeful punts into the penalty area. Wark equalized again from the penalty spot just before the interval.
Elliott, who had marked Rush with great effectiveness until that point, was adjudged to have handled the ball as he lunged in front of the Liverpool forward. But if that decision seemed harsh it was balanced by the award of a penalty to Villa 12 minutes into the second half.
This time, Hansen was considered to have offended as he and Hodge became so entwined they could have been performing some kind of expressionistic ballet. Evans banged the ball to the right of the goal and Grobbelaar, poor chap, expertly dived the other way.
Not many teams in recent years have taken the lead three times in a match at Anfield, but Liverpool were not overcome by the novelty. Ten minutes from the end, Beglin broke down the left, Rush weaved inside and rolled the ball invitingly sideways. McMahon, a former Villa player, ran forward eagerly and let fly from 20 yards with one of those shots that dreams are made of: it went right in the top corner.
Afterwards, the creases in McNeill's face all seemed to have turned into smiles. But Kenny Dalglish, the Liverpool player-manager, was even more morose than usual, muttering about 'defensive mistakes. ' Perhaps, after the extraordinary midweek victory over Fulham, he had been expecting to win 10-0 again.

LIVERPOOL: B Grobbelaar; G Gillespie, J Beglin, M Lawrenson, R Whelan, A Hansen, K Dalglish, S Nicol (sub: B Venison), I Rush, J Wark, S McMahon.
ASTON VILLA: N Spink; D Norton, A Dorigo, A Evans, P Elliott, M Keown, P Birch, S Stainrod, G Thompson, S Hodge, S Hunt. Referee: D Shaw. (c) Times Newspapers Ltd, 1986

Two European Cup (three Super Cup) winners, three players already capped by England, two future England internationals, two others who were excellent in helping us back up (Birchy and Bruno) and even Stainrod could be very good on his day. There is no way that side should have finished bottom of the league.