Paul McGrath - don't worry

[Villan For Life]

Just about everyone who has seen us back to World War Two say he's the best they've seen. Those who saw us before then say it was Billy Walker. Sadly I've never met anyone who talked about second-hand knowledge of earlier players. So, he's one of our two best players in the past 100 years.

Good enough for me.

[Billy Walker]

The two players that have stood out for me in my three decades of watching Villa are Macca and Sid Cowans, both different class. 

[Pat McMahon]

What I find sad is that McGrath is possibly the best Villa player i have seen but Manyoo fans i know don't even rate him in their top 10. He never gets in their best team of the
last 30 years scenarios

[thick_mike]

There aren't so many highlight reels of excellent positional play, or timely interceptions, or using strength to ease an attacker off the ball. Harder for a defender to shine on youtube

[PeterWithesShin]

Also, as much as it pains me to say, in my 40 years watching us we've had maybe 5 or 6 genuine world class players, they've had loads more so he has more competition there.

[West Derby Villan]

What I love about Mr Paul McGrath (God), is that he feels like one of us,

[Steve67]

The two players that have stood out for me in my three decades of watching Villa are Macca and Sid Cowans, both different class. 

One might consider throwing David Platt into the mix but McGrath and Cowans are easily the best two for me too. Magical, exciting, breathtaking.  I feel sorry for our younger fans who only know those not fit to wear the shirt. Bacuna, Richards et al and only know poorer times.  We really have had some fabulous players.

[Mister E]

I never saw Moore play live as he was quite a bit before my time but as a measure of comparison check out the link to ITV Goals on another thread and look at the footage of Moore in games for Fulham at end of his career when he is 33 and older while playing in thd second division. Some of the errors of judgement he makes are very apparent.  McGrath at the same age was still dominating some of the best strikers in the world.

And, players mature at different times and go through lots of different experiences. Moore was undoubtedly well above average at the peak of his powers, probably around the 1970 World Cup time. McGrath peaked later in his career, despite his personal demons; to our eternal thanks.
Someone says that Macca and Sid are the best they've seen: I'd agree, in my 50 years of following Villa, and I'd add my favourite player - Sir Brian - to this list: my three top players.

[brian green]

On a strictly playing level I have to put Blanchflower at equal best with Paul.  The characters of the two men are the difference that secures Paul's place as the best Villa player I have seen.  My oldest brother's best player is Eric Houghton whom he believed had a diminished standing due to the disruption of WW11.

[Hookeysmith]

He was the only player is living memory who had a legitimate claim to be the best in his position in the world while being at Villa.

Case closed

[VicMackey]

I'm 43 so since I've been going in the late 70s McGrath is by far the best player I've seen.  My Dad has, of course, been going a lot longer and loves Paul too.  The only other player he would put close to him was Gerry Hitchens - he said he was gutted the day we sold him.

[CT]

There aren't so many highlight reels of excellent positional play, or timely interceptions, or using strength to ease an attacker off the ball. Harder for a defender to shine on youtube

Exactly right.

My original point was there would be nothing better to see him performing at his peak, live.

[chrisw1]

The two players that have stood out for me in my three decades of watching Villa are Macca and Sid Cowans, both different class. 

One might consider throwing David Platt into the mix but McGrath and Cowans are easily the best two for me too. Magical, exciting, breathtaking.  I feel sorry for our younger fans who only know those not fit to wear the shirt. Bacuna, Richards et al and only know poorer times.  We really have had some fabulous players.

Platt was incredibly effective.  Not the most skillful player I have seen, but his engine, timing of runs and finishing were superb.  I've seen few players at Villa who I have been as confident would score in a one on one as Platty.  And that's for a midfielder.  He was brilliant for us.  But I agree as footballers McGrath and Sid are a different level.  I also think Yorke in his pomp comes quite close.

[peter w]

Remember that last time we were in Division two Platt was starting to be a very effective influential player. Will be difficult to find someone like him this time around.

[Pat McMahon]

I reckon the best players I have seen at Villa are McGrath, Cowans and Platt, and they were strong for a number of years. In 1976-77 Andy Gray probably had the best season of any player I have seen at Villa.

My biggest regret is that Gary Shaw's career at the top level was so short. I honestly think he would have been world class.