Paul McGrath - don't worry

[Rico]

Here's a question for some of the older Villa fans out there. In your opinion, who was better, Bobby Moore or Paul McGrath?

I'm a bit too young to have seen Bobby Moore play, but have recently watched the film/documentary "Bo66y". Obviously I have seen footage of Bobby Moore in the past, and he looked quality. In the film he certainly looks world class,  but Macca is probably the best defender I have ever seen. Some say the only world class player we have ever had. (I disagree, I'd put Sid, Brian Little and Dwight Yorke in that category.)

I remember being at the City Ground, Nottingham when we finished runners up under BFR and Macca was majestic that day. He glided where others laboured. It was the best defensive performance I have ever witnessed.

If Bobby Moore was better than Macca, then my god he must have been awesome!

[dave shelley]

I was privileged to have seen both.  A lot of similarities, neither had sustained pace, neither were what you would call stand out during the game, it was only when you went back over the game on your way home you really appreciated their contributions.

The both of them were exceptional at doing the basics of football, keeping it simple.  They both had this ability to read the game and find themselves in impossible positions that you thought they had no right to be in.  I think McGrath was a better header of the ball and Moore had the edge in passing ability.

Bobby Moore was a leader and, I'm trying not to be biased here, McGrath wasn't, that takes nothing away from his ability.  Both were unbelievably consistent.  To answer your original question, I think the purists would give it to Moore but, given his injuries, lack of training and his demons, which they both had to be fair, then I would give it to McGrath I can't ever recall anyone ever skinning him. 

I've been fortunate enough to have seen some wonderful footballers in my time, McGrath is without doubt the best Villa defender I have ever seen.  Both players were world class without the rest of the world realising it.

[thick_mike]

My dad saw both and gives it to McGrath between the two, but still puts Beckenbauer above both.

[PGW]

I was privileged to have seen both.  A lot of similarities, neither had sustained pace, neither were what you would call stand out during the game, it was only when you went back over the game on your way home you really appreciated their contributions.

The both of them were exceptional at doing the basics of football, keeping it simple.  They both had this ability to read the game and find themselves in impossible positions that you thought they had no right to be in.  I think McGrath was a better header of the ball and Moore had the edge in passing ability.

Bobby Moore was a leader and, I'm trying not to be biased here, McGrath wasn't, that takes nothing away from his ability.  Both were unbelievably consistent.  To answer your original question, I think the purists would give it to Moore but, given his injuries, lack of training and his demons, which they both had to be fair, then I would give it to McGrath I can't ever recall anyone ever skinning him. 

I've been fortunate enough to have seen some wonderful footballers in my time, McGrath is without doubt the best Villa defender I have ever seen.  Both players were world class without the rest of the world realising it.

Well put Dave, i'm of an age that remembers both of these with great fondness for obvious reasons McGrath one of ours and Moore 1966 and all that.
You put it so well Dave so i'm not gonna even try and add my thoughts....you've said it.

[brontebilly]

Moore had the same issues off the park didn't he? I watched the interview on TV, to be honest I didn't think the big man seemed that well in himself. Didn't seem too convincing that he had put down the bottle. off it for a couple of months down to his knee, as excuses go...
I find it a bit tragic that a former hero has to trot out a few tall tales about his drinking habits to get a few cheap laughs on national TV.
By a distance the best Villa player I've seen. My personal favourite in a green jersey though Roy Keane was probably as effective.

[dave shelley]

A minute and a half of what I watched on Friday night Here

[four fornicholl]

The whole show is on RTE player

[Phil from the upper holte]

Best player I've ever seen in a Villa shirt in over 30 years as a fan

[Percy McCarthy]

There used to be (since disappeared) on youtube a clip where someone had taken that Ireland v Italy world cup match and just compiled Paul McGrath's contributions, and it was the most stunning display of defending I have ever seen.

He was God for us, but in that match he wasn't even some form of deity, he was way beyond that, it was so staggeringly good.

Amen. Unbelievable footage that was. If you didn't know you could think it was CGI.

[oldhill_avfc]

McGrath - the best Villa player in our lifetime.  Would have been a probable in a world XI and therefore world class.

Using that as a benchmark, only Platt would come close in the sense that for Villa and England he was a high quality goal scoring midfielder.  At his peak he might have squeezed into a world XI.

For Villa Cowans was their equal - in what was effectively a 1 man midfield he nearly won us a second 1st division title.  He was vastly underrated and in my opinion far (far far far ad infinitum) better than the media darling that was Glenda.

Little is still my favourite ever Villa player.   He epitomised the rise from the 3rd division and was key in the best attacking team I've seen.   Unfortunately, if we're being truthful, he was a better manager than player, and not the best forward in the city let alone a world class player.

[West Derby Villan]

Can't disagree with any of this oldhill

[tomd2103]

McGrath - the best Villa player in our lifetime.  Would have been a probable in a world XI and therefore world class.

Using that as a benchmark, only Platt would come close in the sense that for Villa and England he was a high quality goal scoring midfielder.  At his peak he might have squeezed into a world XI.

For Villa Cowans was their equal - in what was effectively a 1 man midfield he nearly won us a second 1st division title.  He was vastly underrated and in my opinion far (far far far ad infinitum) better than the media darling that was Glenda.

Little is still my favourite ever Villa player.   He epitomised the rise from the 3rd division and was key in the best attacking team I've seen.   Unfortunately, if we're being truthful, he was a better manager than player, and not the best forward in the city let alone a world class player.

By the time he left us and went where he went, Yorke was as good as any striker around.  We got massively stiffed in that transfer fee.

[oldhill_avfc]

Yorke was a great player, but I don't think Yorke was in the same class as McGrath, Cowans and Platt.

Added to that I suppose I focussed on players who were arguably at their peak with us, rather than another team.

[Lastfootstamper]

Can't disagree with any of this oldhill

I'm gunna. Albeit semantically.
There's no "probable" about it; McGrath was, whilst playing for us, the best player in his position in the world. Oh to be able to say that again!
As for HWWOW, it's a bit old-school Brummie-ish to decry his abilities simply because of those of one other. I think that at the time, our city bore witness to displays from two truly outstanding players, fit for any stage. The national side's failures for '74 and '78 did for them both.

[itbrvilla]

There used to be (since disappeared) on youtube a clip where someone had taken that Ireland v Italy world cup match and just compiled Paul McGrath's contributions, and it was the most stunning display of defending I have ever seen.

He was God for us, but in that match he wasn't even some form of deity, he was way beyond that, it was so staggeringly good.

Amen. Unbelievable footage that was. If you didn't know you could think it was CGI.

Especially when you consider who he was up against.