Villa Debuts where you can say "I was there!"

[peter w]

I do recall Mr Cowans full home debut in 1977 v Derby (I do believe) and a 4-0 win. He looked like a streak of piss but scored. He kept his place for the rest of the season in perhaps on one the finest front six we have ever paraded.

Cowans, Cropley. Mortimer, Deehan, Little and Gray.

All these played on the last game of the 1976-77 season when we stuffed the Baggies 4-0 at home. A lovely way to start the summer.

Andy Gray hat-trick?

[Somniloquism]

Lee Hendrie's debut against QPR, lasted 15 mins or so before being red carded.

Dean Saunders home debut in 92 against Liverpool. What a day on the Holte that was...especially when Rosenthal hit the bar!!! In fact, what a season that was!! Happy days.

Yep, on a packed Holte and I could see Rosenthal round Spink but could not see the most of the goal due to my position close to the edge. Then I just saw the ball lift up and strike the bar before the view of the pitch was lost to a sea of raised arms gesturing about Nescafe.

Ugo's debut at home to Norwich.

Didn't he have a disaster that game?

[amfy]

I mustve been at others but the one i recall is Gabby scoring our one on his debut in an awful 4-1 defeat at Everton. It stands out more for me for my Preston supporting husband starting the O'Leary out chants!  What do we want? When do we want it?

[Dave Javu]

Big Ron's debut at Sheffield Wednesday. came back to win it from 2-0 down. Debutant Regis, debutant Atkinson (D), a disallowed effort from a young Yorke and an emphatic winner from debutant Staunton.

[Whiney MacWhineface]

Dennis Mortimer, 4-1 West Ham. We were terrific, West Ham supine and I freely confess I thought he was no more than tidy and wondered what the fuss was about, as I'd known nothing of him at Coventry.

[SteveD]

Mortimer's was a Boxing Day night wasn't it, or around that time? Anyway it was a Christmas treat for me as a kid.

Then there was Cascarino's debut, at the Baseball Ground I think. Such anticipation, quickly followed by the sound of lots of money trickling away.

[Risso]

Sasa Curcic against Derby.  He was brilliant.

[peter w]

The Grays at Bradford.

[VancouverLion]

Big Ron's away at Sheffield Wednesday, superb! Deano's at Villa Park was brilliant, them were the days!
Cascarino, Derby away, remember thinking he "looked crap" as we know he was!
Tommy Johnson puking on the pitch he was so nervous home to Spuds!

[tomd2103]

Dion Dublin scoring two against Spurs on his debut at Villa Park.  Think Merson might have scored on his home debut that season against Derby as well.

[Pete3206]

Just how many debuts did Ugo have?

Anyway, Didier Six. Stunning debut. Man Utd trounced 3-0

[1874]

I was at Pompey for the Heskey debut I can always say I was there when he had a goal a game strike rate for us (or any club for that matter).                                                                          Also there for Stan's debut at West Ham. He was brilliant, shame that was his best performance for the season. 

[Vancouver]

Eric Djemba-Djemba's at Fulham in 2005, but hardly famous... we missed 2 penalties that night and conceded a last minute goal to draw 1-1, unbelievable.

I stood behind what we thought were family memebers of Djemba as they had Man U shirts with Djemba on the back Or they could have just been fans. JPA if I remember, took the ball of Barry for the 2nd penalty miss. Lee clark scored their equalizer.

Yeah, I haven't forgotten that game in a hurry

[usav]

I was at Hillsborough in 1998 when a 17 year old Gareth Barry made his debut.

Talking of Hillsborough, how many made their debut in 1991?

Let's see:  Steve Staunton, Dalian Atkinson, Paul Mortimer, Cyrill Regis, Shawn Teale.......any more?

Of course Big Ron made his debut as manager as well.

[supertom]

Luc Nilis against Chelsea. Thought it was the start of something very special, but sadly wasn't to be. That goal was pure class though.
Remember seeing us getting twonked at home to Liverpool when we unveiled JPA. I seem to recall a youngster being thrown in but I don't remember his name.
EDIT- John McGraph. And forgot that Tommy Hitz made his debut in that game too.