Thought I had read before that we were keen on Roy Keane summer of '93 and ended-up with Townsend instead.
The odder one for me is the 95/6 team as we did, at least try, to strengthen that. It could be the age old Villa problem of being behind the curve. Football was changing but we still wanted to recreate the Saunders era.
Quote from: The Left Side on April 05, 2020, 02:14:44 PMThis for sure, we stopped scoring goals and a bit of luck went against us and it all went with Manure, the day they beat Sheff Wed and I think we drew with Coventry.Was that the day when Manure were given 9 minutes of 'Fergie' time by the referee?
This for sure, we stopped scoring goals and a bit of luck went against us and it all went with Manure, the day they beat Sheff Wed and I think we drew with Coventry.
Quote from: AV82EC on April 05, 2020, 09:38:32 PMFrogatt was never the same player after the assault by those clogging Wimbledon wankers in the Atkinson Goal game that season.I watched the highlights of that game the other day for first time in ages. The second Saunders goal was after a fantastic one two with Houghton. We either scored stunning solo goals that season or goals after a lovely build up. Garry Parker's opener at Sheffield United that season was fabulous, I am amazed it doesn't get mentioned more when we reminiscing about classic goals.
Frogatt was never the same player after the assault by those clogging Wimbledon wankers in the Atkinson Goal game that season.
Quote from: Deano's Mullet on April 05, 2020, 09:43:36 PMQuote from: AV82EC on April 05, 2020, 09:38:32 PMFrogatt was never the same player after the assault by those clogging Wimbledon wankers in the Atkinson Goal game that season.I watched the highlights of that game the other day for first time in ages. The second Saunders goal was after a fantastic one two with Houghton. We either scored stunning solo goals that season or goals after a lovely build up. Garry Parker's opener at Sheffield United that season was fabulous, I am amazed it doesn't get mentioned more when we reminiscing about classic goals.We definitely did score some stunners that season. For a team move, the opener against Sheffield Wednesday in the 2-0 home win is right up there with one of the best I’ve ever seen us score. We literally passed them to death and then laid it on a plate for Dwight to tap home.
Quote from: Simon Page on April 05, 2020, 03:58:05 PMThe odder one for me is the 95/6 team as we did, at least try, to strengthen that. It could be the age old Villa problem of being behind the curve. Football was changing but we still wanted to recreate the Saunders era.The 90s, oh, what a missed opportunity they were for Villa. Somebody said '90 was the real missed opportunity and, maybe by a shade, we looked more like champions in '90?I was more disappointed that Brian Little's team didn't 'kick on'. Even though we finished 5th in 1996-97, at the time, it seemed somewhat disappointing after our superb season in 95-96. We were poor in the cups in 96-97.1997-98 was really disappointing. Nothing seemed right. Little didn't seem himself that year and the performances were poor. At the time, it seemed the signing of Collymore upset things. Overall, as others have said, on the three occasions where we had a chance to push on and become champions ('90, '93 and '96-'97) we just didn't buy the top player(s) that would give us that edge. I often think the summer of 1997 was a real missed opportunity. I think we were a midfielder and an upgrade on Savo away from being an exceptional side. Instead we ended up with Collymore being shoe-horned into the side with Yorke and Milosevic.
Keane was open to the idea of moving to Villa when Clough let him first know of our interest back in Oct/Nov 92. Ultimately Clough blocked the move after losing Sheringham not long before. Froggatt and Atkinson not getting heavy duty injuries in 92 (the former was directly responsible for many of Deano's early goals during his most prolific era for the club) and signing Keane = we win the league that year and have a good chance of doing so again in 93/94.
Quote from: KevinGage on April 06, 2020, 10:29:28 AMKeane was open to the idea of moving to Villa when Clough let him first know of our interest back in Oct/Nov 92. Ultimately Clough blocked the move after losing Sheringham not long before. Froggatt and Atkinson not getting heavy duty injuries in 92 (the former was directly responsible for many of Deano's early goals during his most prolific era for the club) and signing Keane = we win the league that year and have a good chance of doing so again in 93/94.Keane had his choice of clubs at the time. He infamously shook hands with Dalglish on a deal to sign for Blackburn only to renege on it over a weekend and sign for United. Interestingly it was the only signing they made that summer. United under Edwards were fairly tight too when it came to spending. Paul McGrath when he signed for them was getting less wages than he was playing for St Pat's and working as a part time security guard.Had Bosnich already nailed the number one spot by the end of 92/93? Maybe they weren't ready but in hindsight BFR should have shown more faith possibly in the likes of Ugo and obviously Yorke.In later years, I seem to recall us being very close to the top in Littles first season before drifting away. The failure to sign Juninho is often pointed at as a lack of ambition but it can't be said for going all out and getting Collymore. Unfortunately he destroyed the team and Little.
Quote from: brontebilly on April 06, 2020, 12:47:44 PMQuote from: KevinGage on April 06, 2020, 10:29:28 AMKeane was open to the idea of moving to Villa when Clough let him first know of our interest back in Oct/Nov 92. Ultimately Clough blocked the move after losing Sheringham not long before. Froggatt and Atkinson not getting heavy duty injuries in 92 (the former was directly responsible for many of Deano's early goals during his most prolific era for the club) and signing Keane = we win the league that year and have a good chance of doing so again in 93/94.Keane had his choice of clubs at the time. He infamously shook hands with Dalglish on a deal to sign for Blackburn only to renege on it over a weekend and sign for United. Interestingly it was the only signing they made that summer. United under Edwards were fairly tight too when it came to spending. Paul McGrath when he signed for them was getting less wages than he was playing for St Pat's and working as a part time security guard.Had Bosnich already nailed the number one spot by the end of 92/93? Maybe they weren't ready but in hindsight BFR should have shown more faith possibly in the likes of Ugo and obviously Yorke.In later years, I seem to recall us being very close to the top in Littles first season before drifting away. The failure to sign Juninho is often pointed at as a lack of ambition but it can't be said for going all out and getting Collymore. Unfortunately he destroyed the team and Little.Not forgetting we signed Curcic that summer as well as Collymore. The fact both of them were suffering from depression and mental health problems shows, despite I would suggest strengthening, it actually weakened us as it unsettled the squad. It was a shame as we were getting back on track. Still good UEFA cup run in 97/98.
Quote from: Villan82 on April 06, 2020, 01:05:03 AMQuote from: Simon Page on April 05, 2020, 03:58:05 PMThe odder one for me is the 95/6 team as we did, at least try, to strengthen that. It could be the age old Villa problem of being behind the curve. Football was changing but we still wanted to recreate the Saunders era.The 90s, oh, what a missed opportunity they were for Villa. Somebody said '90 was the real missed opportunity and, maybe by a shade, we looked more like champions in '90?I was more disappointed that Brian Little's team didn't 'kick on'. Even though we finished 5th in 1996-97, at the time, it seemed somewhat disappointing after our superb season in 95-96. We were poor in the cups in 96-97.1997-98 was really disappointing. Nothing seemed right. Little didn't seem himself that year and the performances were poor. At the time, it seemed the signing of Collymore upset things. Overall, as others have said, on the three occasions where we had a chance to push on and become champions ('90, '93 and '96-'97) we just didn't buy the top player(s) that would give us that edge. I often think the summer of 1997 was a real missed opportunity. I think we were a midfielder and an upgrade on Savo away from being an exceptional side. Instead we ended up with Collymore being shoe-horned into the side with Yorke and Milosevic.I think Brian little was going through some personal problems towards the end of his reign at Villa. I believe he went through a divorce.