Best right back you have seen at Villa

[Pat McMahon]

Mr Collett is correct, John Robertson, aka Twinkletum used to absolutely destroy Giddy. Truth be told he was generally better going forward than defending, although he was a natural athlete and could compensate for technical deficienciesin his defensive play.

Swain was a very average utility player - remember these were days of one sub - who Ron Saunders converted into a very fine right back. He managed to get the right balance between attacking intent and defensive nous and was a severely underrated player for us. I would choose him as the best I have seen for us, with an honorable mention to Mark Delaney who had fantastic defensive commitment and would take a couple of stitches to stop a goal.

And never, ever, let anybody forget Ken Swain's finest moment, a headed clearance off the line when a Bayern Munich side in full flow had finally found a way past Nigel Spink. I think we scored about 3 minutes later, but it could all have been so different if we had gone a goal  down.

[The Left Side]

Delaney for me

[E I Adio]

Stan "the wham" Lynn.

Proper right back.

[RogerS]

If I go back to the late 60s/early 70s? Mick Wright (or 'Michael' Wright as he later preferred to be addressed).

Through the 70s and into the 80s? John Gidman and Kenny Swain.

[SteveN]

Kenny Swain - best all round right back in my book. 

Special mention to Stan Lynn who I loved as young lad.  Shot like an exocet especially from the penalty spot and once tackled they stayed tackled.  He used to get the No 11 bus home after games always had time for us lads pestering him.  I'd like to say he had his boots tied around his neck - but that part would be a lie.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Gidman. No contest!

[Flamingo Lane]

I'm not sure John Gidman could have played against John Robertson too many times?

[PeterWithesShin]

Swain. Although if Our Anthony could have avoided so many injuries he could have run him close.

[SarkGrime]

Giddy of course.

[Pat McMahon]

) -

I'm not sure John Gidman could have played against John Robertson too many times?

The season Forest won the league (1977-78) they did the double over us and also beat us in the League Cup 4-2.  The following season they did the double again and knocked us out the FA Cup, so I reckon Giddy was taken to the cleaners 6 times in 18 months before he scarpered to Everton. They really were an annoying bogey side for a couple of years, and not a particularly likeable team.

[Oscar Arce]

The runners and riders for me are:
Giddy - excellent going forward but I have an image of him in my mind of him being turned this way and that by a winger that would get him defending.
Swain - was really a forward, and his forward play was superb also, picking out passes like the one that sent Denis through against Liverpool.
John Robson, god rest - was an excellent, athletic defender as well as good going forward, but Saunders used him in midfield and at left back also.
Gary Williams - a natural defensive player who was really a centre back, solid and I don't think I ever saw him completely murdered by a winger.
Delaney -  pace got him out of a lot of trouble, often recovering from bad positional play with last-ditch tackles, ala Kyle Walker.
Barrett - another converted centre back good and solid but limited going the other way.

My vote for the perfect right back, good defensively first, and excellent crossing ability, athletic, excellent tackler and good passing, an old style right back whose specialist position and the only one I think he played in was in the no. 2 shirt, and apart from injury and playing in a poor side in his time at Villa would have had a higher profile is
Mick, Michael or Micky Wright.
 

[the-farmer]

Giddy for me, but Dad would have said Stan the Wham
he reckoned he saw him put a goalie in the back of the net from a penalty

[Holte L2]

Barrett.

[TopDeck113]

John Gidman. 

When I went to Villa Park for the first time, the player I was most excited at seeing was Bruce Rioch.  The two things I can actually remember are being amazed at the height that Jim Cumbes got on his drop kicks and the speed that John Gidman went down his wing, either going forward to attack or coming back. 

[Ray Graydon]

Gidman for me just ahead of Swain & Delaney.

Hard to believe that he didnt play a few more times for England, I also think Kenny was unlucky not to get an england cap ahead of the likes of Mick Mills who I used to think was over rated.