Squad numbers for the 2011/12 season

[JJ-AV]

By Paul Brown

Reading unofficial fan websites, it's fair to say that the signing of Charles N'Zogbia has really captured the imagination of supporters - and that's certainly showing up big time in shirt sale in Villa Stores.

A total of seven in every ten shirts purchased from either Villa Village or New Street at present features the combination 'N'Zogbia 10', showing the esteem he is held in already by the claret and blue faithful.

His all-action style, ability to score and set up chances has obviously already endeared him to the Villa Store shoppers.

He is still a way behind Darren Bent who is number one on the shirt name and number list so far this summer.

'Bent 9' has sold in excess of 2,000 shirts already, a figure head of merchandising John Greenfield describes as "phenomenal".

Stan Collymore holds the all-time record for shirt name and number sales.

During his time with Villa, 40% of shirts sold bore his name and number. Greenfield admits, however, that Bent is well on his way to surpassing Collymore in top spot in the all-time list.

Bent, he says, is second in that countdown but is chasing Collymore and should beat him, given a good spell of time in the Villa shirt.

Interestingly, there is a definite trend towards the 'young lions' too in popular combinations.

Bent is number one, followed by N'Zogbia while Marc Albrighton and Fabian Delph come in third and fourth respectively.

Greenfield is particularly not surprised.

He added: "We are a club closely associated with bringing through quality youngsters all the way from the academy to the first team.

"In the past we have seen Gabby Agbonlahor, Gareth Barry and - even further back - the likes of Tony Daley and Mark Walters blast into senior reckoning after coming up through the ranks.

"Villa fans appreciate this and shirt sales follow suit. Marc is an immensely popular lad. You only have to hear the reception for him at Villa Park on matchday to see that.

"Fabian is a young lad looking to make a big impact and supporters have obviously been listening intently to the comments of Alex McLeish who has said in his press conferences this season already that he expects Fabian to be a class act in the future."

Shay Given also appears in the top five list, following his move from Manchester City.

Other popular combinations in the Villa Stores are 'Villa 4 Ever' and 'McGrath 5' as fans show off their loyalty to the club and their former heroes.

The Villa Store at Villa Village should be buzzing even further over the next month, too, with news that we will be having player signing sessions on designated days in the coming weeks.

It's a move that Greenfield is extremely "excited" by, along with the mass of fan support in Villa Stores over the past few weeks.

He added: "I know it's not a particularly healthy time economically but I've been delighted and excited by the level of support shown by our fans in the shops.

"Shirts, training tops, tracksuits - you name it, fans have been buying it. I have been thrilled. Long may it continue."

[N'ZMAV]

Collymore? FFS!

[asgpaul]

With Collins switching to the number 6 shirt, potentially 9 of the starting 11 at Fulham could be made up of players wearing 1 to 11.  I know it's a totally pointless post but I'm a bit old fashioned when it comes to the numbering of shirts and position played in accordance to shirt number.

I was delighted when Bent got the number 9 shirt, if only we could find someone worthy to wear the number 8.

[QBVILLA]

With Collins switching to the number 6 shirt, potentially 9 of the starting 11 at Fulham could be made up of players wearing 1 to 11.  I know it's a totally pointless post but I'm a bit old fashioned when it comes to the numbering of shirts and position played in accordance to shirt number.

I was delighted when Bent got the number 9 shirt, if only we could find someone worthy to wear the number 8.

Same here mate.Can't be doing with forwards wearing number 4 etc.Mind you I remember Harewood getting the number 9 shirt...........................

[QBVILLA]

Collymore? FFS!

Never before or since have i felt such excitement about a signing only to ultimately end up so disappointed.Winds me right up whenever that tosser refers to "My beloved Aston Villa".Disgrace

[JJ-AV]

1. Given
2. Luke
3. Warnock
5. Dunne
6. Collins
17. Makoun
19. Petrov
7. Ireland
10. N'Zogbia
11. Gabby
9. Bent

Get in Parker and Barton for numbers 8 and 4 and we're sorted.

[asgpaul]

Get in Parker and Barton for numbers 8 and 4 and we're sorted.

Would be well happy with that.

[asgpaul]

Collymore? FFS!

Never before or since have i felt such excitement about a signing only to ultimately end up so disappointed.Winds me right up whenever that tosser refers to "My beloved Aston Villa".Disgrace

Agreeing with you now.

Was amazed when they got him to write column in match programme....legend, Collymore, NEVER!!!!!

[QBVILLA]

Collymore? FFS!

Never before or since have i felt such excitement about a signing only to ultimately end up so disappointed.Winds me right up whenever that tosser refers to "My beloved Aston Villa".Disgrace

Agreeing with you now.

Was amazed when they got him to write column in match programme....legend, Collymore, NEVER!!!!!

What a wasted talent.that night against Athletico he showed what he was capable of.Unfortunately he only showed it very briefly.I had quite a heated row on the Holte with a fella who was giving Dublin stick saying he wasn't fit to lace Collymore's boots.If not so super Stan had a tenth of big Dion's desire he'd have been a world beater.How he's got the brass neck to spout his guff on radio is beyond me.

[TaxDodger]

Why didn't Makoun just take the number 4 shirt?

[garyshawsknee]

Get in Parker and Barton for numbers 8 and 4 and we're sorted.

Would be well happy with that.

A decent number 7 would be good as well.

[VillaAlways]

Why didn't Makoun just take the number 4 shirt?

Ha always has 17. In respect to a friend of his who passed away

[TheSandman]

Why didn't Makoun just take the number 4 shirt?

He wears 17 as a tribute to his late friend Marc-Vivien Foe.

[TaxDodger]

Why didn't Makoun just take the number 4 shirt?

Ha always has 17. In respect to a friend of his who passed away

Oh fair enough. Should'a given Clark 4 then.

[Villa'Zawg]

Collymore? FFS!

Never before or since have i felt such excitement about a signing only to ultimately end up so disappointed.Winds me right up whenever that tosser refers to "My beloved Aston Villa".Disgrace

If you take transfer price inflation into account, the price we paid for Collymore is one of the highest fees every paid for a player in the Premier League era. Heskey and Wright-Phillips right up there to.

TPI - Clicky