Gods Stand out performances.

[Billy Walker]

Richard Dunne's performance against Russia is something Dunney is capable of once in a while.  McGrath performed to that high standard pretty much every week - he was just so very, very good so consistently.

The game that stands out for me was his debut in a friendly against Hearts at Villa Park.  Macca was in midfield that day and he was just head and shoulders over everything on the pitch.  I'd started supporting Villa the season before we got relegated (so I pretty much missed out on seeing the European Cup/League Champion side and all of those players) which meant the first Villa squad I saw in the flesh was comprised of the likes of Simon Stainrod, Paul Elliot, Martin Keown, Steve Hodge and the like. 

Paul McGrath was simply a whole new level of player to what I had seen before in my brief career as a Villa season ticket holder - his passing, his tackling, his movement - a total Rolls-Royce of a footballer.   It was only when Sid rejoined us that we had another player on that level.  I think McGrath and Cowans (with the goals of Platt) pretty much took us to runners-up on their own.

[UsualSuspect]

He remains the greatest player i've witnessed to wear a Villa shirt.
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Without a doubt

I don't think I'll ever see a player again who could read a game half as well. The thing with he was that he never used to have to sprint he was just always where he needed to be.

Maybe not his greatest game but my fave was man Ure on boxing day in 1989. He was marking Mark Hughes who was always a dirty bastard and Super Mac made him look like an 8 year old.

[nodge]

The game that stands out for me was his debut in a friendly against Hearts at Villa Park. 

I think that was Hibs as we had use of the Mita executive box that day and it was in the North stand behind their fans.  Some right sights for sore eyes amongst their lot.  And yes I remember a good feeling watching Macca although I was a bit pissed on the free beer!

[garyshawsknee]

When we played Forrest away. The year we were runners up under Big Ron was the closest I have ever seen to absolute perfection on the pitch. He read the game like a genius. It was almost spiritual!!!! Along with Sid Cowans the best player in my life ever to pull on a Villa shirt!!!! (And that was with arthritic knees)

I was at that game. When he jumped majestically to head home the winner i was convinced when were gonna win the league. Shame Big Ron dropped Yorke for the run in.

His games against Inter at home were pretty special as well.

[glinch]

The game that stands out for me was his debut in a friendly against Hearts at Villa Park.

Was definitely Hibs. Think it ended up a draw 1-1 or 0-0 could be wrong. Big Kent Nielsen made his debut as well at centre half.

[Billy Walker]

The game that stands out for me was his debut in a friendly against Hearts at Villa Park. 

I think that was Hibs as we had use of the Mita executive box that day and it was in the North stand behind their fans.  Some right sights for sore eyes amongst their lot.  And yes I remember a good feeling watching Macca although I was a bit pissed on the free beer!

You are quite right Nodge and Glinch, it was Hibs.  This old brain of mine isn't what it used to be!

[willywombat]

Player of the year, every year

[cdbearsfan]

We beat Hibs one-nil. A rather chubby Kent Nielsen came off the bench to score our winner.

[dave.woodhall]

His games against Inter at home were pretty special as well.

Especially the one he didn't play in.

[Dr Butler]

a total Rolls-Royce of a footballer.

I could not of put it any better.

UTV
The Doc

[VillaZogmariner]

I remember one game against Blackburn and a ball over the top played towards Shearer. McGrath just took a couple of steps back and still facing the direction the ball came from stuck his leg out and flicked it back over his head. Shearer still running towards our goal!

[avwebby]

The only 2 games I saw him in the flesh so to speak were the league cup finals. First with Shaun Teale against Manure and then against Leeds with Southgate and Ugo and both times he seemed to glide over the pitch never out of position. I think it was the reading of the game that made him quality.

Then later the Son of God turned up but never quite looked the same

[cdward]

A couple of games I remember that God did things that mere mortals would have struggled with. Oldham away qf of the FA cup, 1990 I think. We were well beaten about 3-0, and I remember watching all our players struggling to read the bounce and run of the ball on the plastic pitch, but McGrath seemed to be the only Villa player capable of playing on it, it was like it was no challenge for him. Another game i think was a "friendly" against the Blose at VP, anyway they had the Portugese winger who ended up at Spurs, Jose Dominguez, he was as fast as they come. At one point he broke free down the wing at lightning speed, McGrath appeared to amble over to him, and whilst Jose was in full flight God dispossessd him with ease, played the ball upfield, and only then did Jose realize he no longer had the ball and stopped running. I remember finding this hilarious, and just marveling at how brilliant God really was. the thing was he made it look so easy. Just brilliant.

[Zhong Yi]

Arsenal away 1989/90 was surely one of them.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Talking about Paul McGrath.  I just want to know why he's regarded generally as our best ever play.  I've seen th 1994 match Ireland vs Italy which is incredible.

It's even more incredible when you realise he was up against Roberto Baggio, the previous years FIFA World Player of the Year, a player that scored for fun and Paul never gave him a look in. Baggio went on to be top scorer in that World Cup with Italy reaching the final. For me, he was right up there with his hero, Franco Baresi, as one of the greatest defenders of all time. Baresi had the advantage of playing at the back for fantastic Milan teams as well as World Cup winning and finalists, Italy.