Applauding a goal from the opposition

[Chris Smith]

I remember when Ronaldinho play for Barcelona against Real Madrid and his genius scoring three world class goals against Real Madrid and he was left with standing ovulation and clapping from Real Madrid fans and this is extremely rare event at the Bernabeu and it really rattled the Real Madrid players.

It was a great period in his career.

[SoccerHQ]

That Arsenal 100 pass goal Cole smashed in a few years back.

[Pat McMahon]

Fuck that.

*likes/thumbs-up*

I think the only time I've done it was when in with the opposition's fans just to avoid being found out.
Otherwise the closest to acknowledging an opposing player would be if he had an outstanding game and was being subbed.

I am pretty much along these lines. In the heat of the moment, when an opponent produces a moment if genius to score against us, all I can do is either sulk, weep or shout out "bad defending".

I have applauded a few players over the years, most notably Michael Owen, who received an ovation from us when he came ON as sub a week after the England 5-1 Germany game, and I will applaud players going off injured, but I am too one eyed and distressed to applaud a goal.

[Tom_Mc9?]

Not for me. Like others I'm always too annoyed that we have conceded a goal. I can look back and appreciate it, but at the time I'm too gutted.

[dave shelley]

Sometimes football takes over and you have to see it for what it is.  Too long ago for most of you to remember but, both Mike Ferguson (whom we signed later) scored a fabulous goal for Blackburn against us sometime in the sixties, you just had to stand and applaud as he'd dribbled (which they did back then) past most of the Villa team and slotted it into the net.  Also Bobby Charlton did exactly the same about 1965.  Visualise Maradonna against England in the "hand of God" match only beating twice as many players.  It must be said that we were quite shit at the time though.  Great goals none the less.

[berneboy]

A bit vague here;

(Barry?) Ferguson for Blackburn against us in what i remember as the final game of the season. He dribbled from his own half past the whole Villa team - demoralised I remember, maybe we were relegated.

I were just a lad so maybe 1967?

I think we lost 4-0

[dave shelley]

See above berneboy, it was Mike Ferguson.  Date's about right though.

[Legion]

Once, when an Arsenal player scored a sublime goal against us.

[danlanza]

Only once in my Villa life. Sorry to say it was a Paul Scholes goal at Villa Park.
I was in K7, season ticket, when the goal was scored. He hit a 30 yard volley. As soon as the cross came in i shouted to my mates around me " He is going to put this in the back of the net." And he did. One of the best goals i have seen at Villa Park, ever. Next time i will keep my bloody mouth shut. Paul Fuc.in Scholes.

[Legion]

The one which hit the underside of the bar and went in? If so, I was on holiday at the time and just turned round and walked on to the next pub.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

If we were 17-0 up in the 3rd round of the FA Cup against a non league side with two minutes to go when one of their players runs the length of the pitch bouncing the ball on his head before flicking it up and turning around and hitting it in off the cross bar with a bicycle kick from near the corner flag I still wouldn't applaud.   

[olaftab]

Season 73/74. QPR were heading for promotion from the second division. They came to VP.  They were given a free kick just outside the box almost central. Terry Venables chipped the ball over the wall and Gerry Francis ran around the wall and volleyed it into the net. I admired that and knew from that day that Venables was a genius.

[TopDeck113]

The Mark Pembridge volley at the Holte End was a cracker.  Most people around me applauded - or at least muttered that is a great goal

1:29 in

[peter w]

I have but can't remember individual games. Applauding is a defence mechanism as much as it is an appreciation of the opposition's talent. Kind of like saying you had to do that to beat us. Or, if we've won its a patronising "well done".

[Karlos96]

I have a few times - Scholes and Pires goals being two that stand out.  The way I see it is I love football and if I see something that is world class then I will applaud it even if it is against us.