What makes a Villa Legend?

[Dave]

The eye of the beholder.

Very nicely put.

I wouldn't have wanted anyone to tell the ten-year old me that Dean Saunders and Tony Daley weren't Villa legends.

In much the same way that I wouldn't want to tell a 20 year old that Juan Pablo Angel isn't a Villa legend or a 10 year old that Darren Bent isn't.

[DeeBoy1]

The eye of the beholder.

Very nicely put.

I wouldn't have wanted anyone to tell the ten-year old me that Dean Saunders and Tony Daley weren't Villa legends.

In much the same way that I wouldn't want to tell a 20 year old that Juan Pablo Angel isn't a Villa legend or a 10 year old that Darren Bent isn't.

Nice post.

[Rigadon]

The eye of the beholder.

Very nicely put.

I wouldn't have wanted anyone to tell the ten-year old me that Dean Saunders and Tony Daley weren't Villa legends.

In much the same way that I wouldn't want to tell a 20 year old that Juan Pablo Angel isn't a Villa legend or a 10 year old that Darren Bent isn't.

Quite.  It's subjective isn't it.  I heard some lads singing the Gary Shaw (when he hits the ball he's sure to score etc) song on Saturday.  Shaw is the epitome of a legend for me having been a little kid when he was in his pomp. 

[PeterWithesShin]

Maybe we confuse the difference between a Villa legend and a personal hero/favourite? For example, Tony Daley was a personal Villa fave for me, but never a Villa legend.

[Legion]

Same as Paul Merson for me. Also Martin Laursen, Olof Mellberg, Gareth Southgate...

[mozza]

I imagine Gabby is a 'favourite' with a considerable percentage of supporters but as for 'legend' status
he has some way to go, but if he continues putting in match winning performances like yesterday he will
be remembered in many years to come -

[Witton Warrior]

I think the word 'Legend' has lost all meaning nowadays as it seems it can be applied to anyone.

This was in my mind when I started the thread. Legend or Holte End Hero?

[Big Dick Edwards]

The word legend is over-used. Gabby's not a legend. If he continues his current form and remains loyal to Villa for years to come, he could become one in time. Our outstanding team of 1981/82 contained many legends. McGrath was a legend. Since the turn of this century I would say only Mellberg is fitting of such a status.

[Legion]

Ian Taylor?

[Confusious says]

George Boatang upon his move to Villasborough said he could move, or stay and become a Villa Legend.  The only end he would be is a leg  end

[Deano's Mullet]

Dean Saunders and Savo Milosevic both scored winning goals in League Cup Finals. Both are legends to me. Same as Dalian, Taylor and Yorkie.  David Platt was the best player in the league for two years running in 1989-91 and when was the last time we boasted a midfielder that scored 20 + goals - two years running. Legend.
I wouldnt class Angel as a legend, two decent seasons out of 5 or 6 and very hot and cold. Mellberg..... perhaps. Laursen........if Laursen is a legend then the god that is Shaun Teale must definitely apply - he played through the 94 league cup win with a broken nose did he not?

[Louzie0]

Imo a player, in order to become a Villa legend, must:

- have a special talent;

Great - Does this mean 'soul man' Nobby Solano's in the running with his jazz trumpet?

[Rancid custard]

As another posted, it's all subjective and dependent on how each fan judges a player. Anyone who gives 100% throughout their time here and never does anything but praise the club would be enough for me. A year when a keeper saves us from relegation, a striker fires us to cup glory, or heaven forbid a manager gets us playing great winning football could all be legends.

[TopDeck113]

During my time as a fan I have seen many good players and a handful of great players wear the claret blue.  The players, though, that I would describe as legendry are few and far between.

To be a legend you need to have something indeterminable, but it is not necessarily about ability.  A legend will have a page to themselves in the significant chapters of the club’s history.  So, for me, Andy Lochhead is a legend for his talismanic leading of the line during the first steps in the club’s 70s rebirth.  That doesn’t alter the fact that I’ve probably seen at least a dozen better centre forwards wearing the shirt, but Andy had the je ne sais quoi that a legend requires.

A legend transcends the normal fan-player relationship.  A legend’s achievements are exalted, recalled, retold and passed on to the next generation of supporters; their failings as players or people are glossed over.  They have such an affinity with the fans that it means that even when they move on elsewhere they are always thought of as a Villa player. 

So here are the players who I watched and I consider as legends:

Andy Lochhead
Bruce Rioch
Brian Little
Dennis Mortimer
Gordon Cowans
Peter Withe
Gary Shaw
Nigel Spink
Paul McGrath
Dwight Yorke
Ian Taylor


I would also add Andy Gray and David Platt to that list but for the ongoing bitterness caused by their departures.

Of the present players, probably only Gabby has the raw material to become a legend, but he needs to add the one defining season to his CV.  A goal-in-every-round to go with the FA Cup winners’ medal would sort that nicely…

[Big Dick Edwards]

Nigel Spink will always be a legend to me for that extraordinary performance on 26th May 1982, even if he'd never played another game for Villa.