Little's team - where are they now

[curiousorange]

What ever happened to that Dwight Yorke fellow? He didn't really do anything after leaving Villa, did he?

Not according to my mum. She's convinced he played no part in Man Yoo's trophy haul.

[ACVilla]

I'm amazed at the amount of love for Gary Charles on here.

I thought he was atrocious.

[Chinchilla Bathhouse]

One thing I noticed when watching the footage of those old Little sides was how well the ball was passed around. There was a patient build up and a willingness to get the ball back as soon as possession was lost - it really does look pretty contemporary.

Quite right.  There was one game - one goal even - that stands out as a prime example of that team's ability: Tommy Johnson's goal to put us two up against Middlesbrough just after Christmas (might even have been New Year's Day).  We pinged the ball around for ages, must have been at least fifty passes which dragged Boro all over the place, then a quick ball in to Tommy who brought it down brilliantly to smash it into the far corner.  A proper team goal, I thought it was one of the goals of the season.  That team passed the ball brilliantly and regularly dominated possession.  Always thought Charles was the weak link though, to be honest...   

[dave.woodhall]

I'm amazed at the amount of love for Gary Charles on here.

I thought he was atrocious.

If you get the chance have a look at the season review and see how many goals he laid on.

[Brend'Watkins]

I'm amazed at the amount of love for Gary Charles on here.

I thought he was atrocious.

We must be in a minority of two as I thought the same.

[barrysleftfoot]

  For me, Charles was made to play as a wing back.Was'nt the best crosser, and got a lot of stick for that reason, but played the position almost to perfection.

 I was never a fan of Alan Wright tbh

[Risso]

Gary Charles was a brilliant right/wing back.  As Dave says, look at videos from that era and you'll see just how good he was. 

[Risso]

There was so much attacking intent in Little's side. Sometimes you forget that and tend to think of it as being based mainly on a really mean defence and only realise how much attacking flair we had when you watch back the old footage. We were creative in the centre of midfield, especially when Johnson slotted in and Taylor was always a goal threat in support of the quality Yorke/Milosevic partnership.

Compare that to the dire stuff we served up last year.

Forget last year, we haven't had a side as good since that team. We've seen a few glimpses under Gregory but nothing comes close to Brian Little's side. They really were a joy to watch at times. Stu mentions the patient build up but there was a purpose to our passing, a constant willingness to receive the ball, great movement with players opening up space.

That team led by Little, Evans and Gregory knew what modern football was all about.

Completely agree, some of our attacking play was amazing at times.  I remember when we scored after 10 seconds against Coventry, it was as brilliant a goal as you're ever going to see.  Draper at his best was some midfielder.

[PeterWithesShin]

I love that goal against Cov. Always loved the Cov fan behind the goal, as the ball hits the net his head drops straight into hands.

Also it can never be said enough, that goal on opening day against the Mancs. From our own penalty are to the back of the net in about 30 seconds. If memory serves me right the ball never left the floor. Had they scored it I bet it would still get wheeled out now and again.

[Pete3206]

I'm amazed at the amount of love for Gary Charles on here.

I thought he was atrocious.

We must be in a minority of two as I thought the same.

I always thought he had potential to be an attacking midfielder. He came up short in the defensive department in my opinion.

[brontebilly]

what was the reason for draper's collapse of form? seem to remember him as a fine player under Little but soon drifted out of the team totally under gregory