A Few % Villa- David James MBE.

[eamonn]

Seriously, we let in something like 27 goals from set-pieces last season. I reckon having James at his peak in goal would have at least halved that. Against that, maybe Given made 3 or 4 great saves that James might not have. You do the maths.

Maybe the James of 2000 or 2007 but last season's one at Bristol City was pretty gash.

[Percy McCarthy]

Yeah, I did say at his peak.

[not3bad]

He wasn't at his best when he was at Villa, but he certainly played some blinders for Portsmouth against us.  Having said that he always applauds the Holte End when he plays us and he does come across as a genuine guy who is thoughtful by the standards of a footballer, so I would have no qualms in offering my congratulations.

[The Left Side]

Congrats David

[Ian.]

Well done big man. I agree he was the best keeper we have had since Bosnich. Also for that game the blame must lie with Gregory.

[itbrvilla]

My manager Trevor Hayward got an MBE too. Congratulations to all !!

[PaulTheVillan]

Anyone remember this?

[Richard E]

He does seem a decent chap, but i'll always have a dislike for him thanks to THAT match which never actually happened.

Congrats butter fingers.

Sums my feelings up entirely. Shouldn't hold a grudge after all these years (and he did single-handedly win the semi-final) but THAT day was the worst day of my Villa-supporting life (and yes that includes being relegated, last season and 03.03.03)

[Pat McMahon]

I am with Percy on this one - he saved far more goals than he conceded due to clangers. When they were still speaking to each other, Gregory said that James made a few mistakes because he was a decisive keeper and was brave enough to venture off his line. Other keepers would stay on the line, be beaten by a header and blame their defence, getting off scot free themselves.

Re THAT game, my memory is of him making a few good saves as the tide started to turn against us in the 2nd half  before they scored. Not for a moment did I blame him for the goal as I felt he was keeping us in it, and their goal  was cominig for a while. . And I have absolutely no intention of watching the dvd of that game to see if my memory is correct.