Players / Managers that have become Villa fans

[Salsa Party Animal]

Have we ever tried to buy Trevor Francis ? Just interested to know

[Leighton]

Dean Saunders. He seemed to have been hurting just as much as the Holte in that freak show against Bradford.

[robbo1874]

Bosnich falls over himself to talk about utd when he is on fox

Because of our current plight, it seems anyone connected with football is eager to stick their two-bobs-worth in lately. What's struck me though is how many ex-associates of Villa,  be they player, manager or both, have such a great affinity for the club.

Do people really think this?

I can't help feeling when I hear Bozzy,Platt, Houghton, Ugo or Dwight Yorke etc. on v or radio how quick they're to have a pop at us. In fairness easy in our current plight but I remember a few of them having digs when we were finishing top 6.

Now compare that to Ray Houghton yesterday who said he was going to have a bet on Liverpool finishing top 4 this season! And the usual fawning whenever the topic goes to Liverpool or Man. United for some of the players above. Bizarre in Bosnich's case when you consider how difficult his spells at Man. United and with Fergie were.

As to the question, I'd say Paul Merson. Always wants us to do well, still lives in the local area and I think his kids are villa fans.

Bosnich always falls over himself to gush about man utd when he's presenting the 'soccer' on fox sports. Never mentions the villa.

[Damo70]

Aside from those who grew up supporting Villa anyway I think Graham Taylor, Brian Little, John Gregory, McInally, Yorke, McGrath, Teale, Froggatt, Townsend, Saunders, Merson, Mellberg and Laursen seem to have the most affection for us. Along with the players from 1980-1982. Andy Gray is fond of Villa, but we are second best to Everton. Same as we are to Staunton and Houghton with Liverpool. Keown will always be Arsenal but seems to have warmed to us recently. David Platt never seemed to appreciate who and what he was when he left us compared to when he arrived.

[Phil from the upper holte]

Shaun Teale is ace on twitter, he's like a full on fan

[MonsXI]

Collymore
McInally
Froggatt
Merson
Sir Brian
Sir Graham
Ugo

The above all seem to have genuine feelings for the club.

Merson? He talks like someone who used to play for us nothing more.

[N'ZMAV]

What about David Platt?

[rob_bridge]

The cynic in me wonders whether the amount they care and for which former club depends on which media outlet is asking the question.

Very valid point actually. I often heard Andy Gray say he is a Villa man but you get the impression that would change once he gets within 50miles of Goodison.

I've heard Steve Staunton discuss us a couple of times, and although he seems to have affection for Villa, I think he holds Liverpool closer to his heart.

Shaun Teale on the other hand unashamedly nails his colours to the mast and even has a Villa shirt as his twitter ID.

Yep this for me though still think Gray is a tool who never seems to understand the rules of the game.

[rob_bridge]

I've seen Trevor Francis at Villa a few times presumably doing local media work. I doubt he is much of a fan though 

[N'ZMAV]

Brian Little still seems to like us....

[OzVilla]

Bosnich falls over himself to talk about utd when he is on fox

Because of our current plight, it seems anyone connected with football is eager to stick their two-bobs-worth in lately. What's struck me though is how many ex-associates of Villa,  be they player, manager or both, have such a great affinity for the club.

Do people really think this?

I can't help feeling when I hear Bozzy,Platt, Houghton, Ugo or Dwight Yorke etc. on v or radio how quick they're to have a pop at us. In fairness easy in our current plight but I remember a few of them having digs when we were finishing top 6.

Now compare that to Ray Houghton yesterday who said he was going to have a bet on Liverpool finishing top 4 this season! And the usual fawning whenever the topic goes to Liverpool or Man. United for some of the players above. Bizarre in Bosnich's case when you consider how difficult his spells at Man. United and with Fergie were.

As to the question, I'd say Paul Merson. Always wants us to do well, still lives in the local area and I think his kids are villa fans.

Bosnich always falls over himself to gush about man utd when he's presenting the 'soccer' on fox sports. Never mentions the villa.

Yep that's spot on and it really boils my piss.

He talks about Man Utd alot but not that he barely played a full season as No 1 choice as was basically outed by Ferguson. 

The caption under his name is always former Man Utd and Chelsea (I think he played a total of 4 games in the League Cup for them).

He was once asked which Club's results he looked out for and replied. "Chelsea as I enjoyed my time there and loved the area".  Chelsea, FFS he never played...............

I couldn't fecking believe it.

[N'ZMAV]

Houghton is a twat, can't listen to his waffle. He thinks that if you've never played the game you're not allowed an opinion on it. Wanker.

[JB1811]

Bosnich falls over himself to talk about utd when he is on fox

Because of our current plight, it seems anyone connected with football is eager to stick their two-bobs-worth in lately. What's struck me though is how many ex-associates of Villa,  be they player, manager or both, have such a great affinity for the club.

Do people really think this?

I can't help feeling when I hear Bozzy,Platt, Houghton, Ugo or Dwight Yorke etc. on v or radio how quick they're to have a pop at us. In fairness easy in our current plight but I remember a few of them having digs when we were finishing top 6.

Now compare that to Ray Houghton yesterday who said he was going to have a bet on Liverpool finishing top 4 this season! And the usual fawning whenever the topic goes to Liverpool or Man. United for some of the players above. Bizarre in Bosnich's case when you consider how difficult his spells at Man. United and with Fergie were.

As to the question, I'd say Paul Merson. Always wants us to do well, still lives in the local area and I think his kids are villa fans.

Bosnich always falls over himself to gush about man utd when he's presenting the 'soccer' on fox sports. Never mentions the villa.

Yep that's spot on and it really boils my piss.

He talks about Man Utd alot but not that he barely played a full season as No 1 choice as was basically outed by Ferguson. 

The caption under his name is always former Man Utd and Chelsea (I think he played a total of 4 games in the League Cup for them).

He was once asked which Club's results he looked out for and replied. "Chelsea as I enjoyed my time there and loved the area".  Chelsea, FFS he never played...............

I couldn't fecking believe it.

Perhaps it was the free time he enjoyed there, and being a 'big time Charlie' more than the football?

[Chico Hamilton III]

What about Sid?

[markus209]

Martin Laursen always seems to have a lot of time for us.