Walking on Water

[Virgil Caine]

How many of us were at Villa Park 40 years ago to witness the full home debut of Mr Brian Little against Torquay?

Funny for all the games  I have attended over the years it is this one I remember most keenly, witnessing as I did this frail teenager set up 2 goals and score one for himself.

Happy, happy days indeed.

[Mister E]

How many of us were at Villa Park 40 years ago to witness the full home debut of Mr Brian Little against Torquay?

Funny for all the games  I have attended over the years it is this one I remember most keenly, witnessing as I did this frail teenager set up 2 goals and score one for himself.

Happy, happy days indeed.

Agreed - my best memories of He Who Walks on Water are of goals scored at Blackpool to secure our return to the top flight in 1975 and being at Highbury to witness his hat-trick against QPR.

A massive talent and amazingly understated character. Should have got sponsorship from Grecian 2000 though.

[BegbieAV]

Remember it well, I was 10 at the time and me and me old man (Holteender in the sky) went to nearly every game that season. The thing that sticks in my mind about Brians debut was how small he was I remember his shorts where huge. After that I tried to replicate his look when playing football at school by trying to make my shorts look as big as possible. I'm sure my teachers thought I had something wrong with me. Happy days though. UTV

[dave shelley]

I remember it well.  It's stored with all the magical memories that Villa have given me over the years.  I was also there when the great Johnny Dixon played his last match against Sheffield Wednesday.  The rise and fall of Villa Giants.

[andrew08]

My first game, I can only vaguely remember it, went with Dad and Grandad on the Witton End. It was also Dad's first game for 4 or 5 years having emigrated to Canada and we'd only been back a week or so. Wasn't it season 70-71, I'm not sure ?

For me it was the start of the Villa addiction I'm afraid, I've only missed a dozen or so at home since (damm those childhood sicknesses). What chance did I stand though, From Torquay to Rotterdam in a decade....we are the chosen generation of Villa fans.

[nigel]

I remember it, too.
We battered them for 89 minutes then a chap called Jimmy Cave let fly from 25 yards into the back of the net and we lost 1-0!!

[nigel]

I remember it well.  It's stored with all the magical memories that Villa have given me over the years.  I was also there when the great Johnny Dixon played his last match against Sheffield Wednesday.  The rise and fall of Villa Giants.

Johnny Dixons last game was also Charlie Aitken's debut

[dave shelley]

I remember it well.  It's stored with all the magical memories that Villa have given me over the years.  I was also there when the great Johnny Dixon played his last match against Sheffield Wednesday.  The rise and fall of Villa Giants.

Johnny Dixons last game was also Charlie Aitken's debut

True; I also remember that, but the overriding thing was Johnny.  The atmosphere was almost tangible.  The thing is, and I don't wish to digress on this thread but, Johnny Dixon was and still is revered, the epitomy of what is Aston Villa, and to be able to say that I was alive when Johnny lifted the F.A. Cup the last time Villa won it and to be there when he played his last game for Villa is right up there with the Rotterdam experience.

[Virgil Caine]

Nigel
Not sure of the game you are referring to but the Torquay game ( where we clinched the Div 3 Championship) was a 5-1 drubbing, Little 1, Vowden 2' Lochead, 1 plus og.

Poured with rain, pitch got waterlogged in some areas and although televised I have never seen any clips. Story is that ATV destroyed most of the Star Soccer tapes- pity.

[Dave Clark Five]

Here are pictures of two of the goals, including Brian Little getting his first League goal for Villa.
I can remember that match vividly. Great occasion.

[willywombat]

Yep, I remember it like it was yesterday. 5-1 win and filthy day

[levico]

Now I'm worried. I was definitely there but don't remember it!

[frank]

I was there. It was a privilege to see Brian's first league goal. I also agree with EffDee that his performances away at Blackpool and in the League Cup semi-final replay were something special.

[JUAN PABLO]

Yep, I remember it like it was yesterday. 5-1 win and filthy day

Now I'm worried. I was definitely there but don't remember it!

same here .  I blame the drink recently

[richard moore]

I remember it well.  It's stored with all the magical memories that Villa have given me over the years.  I was also there when the great Johnny Dixon played his last match against Sheffield Wednesday.  The rise and fall of Villa Giants.

Johnny Dixons last game was also Charlie Aitken's debut

True; I also remember that, but the overriding thing was Johnny.  The atmosphere was almost tangible.  The thing is, and I don't wish to digress on this thread but, Johnny Dixon was and still is revered, the epitomy of what is Aston Villa, and to be able to say that I was alive when Johnny lifted the F.A. Cup the last time Villa won it and to be there when he played his last game for Villa is right up there with the Rotterdam experience.

I have Johnny's obituary in the Telegraph pinned on my noticeboard in my office at home - looking at it now