Paul McGrath - don't worry

[eamonn]

£12.5m for Yorke was only a year after Shearer broke the £15m British transfer record, I don't think we could have demanded much more. Risky playing a player wanting to leave cf. his much-cited "performance" at Everton on the opening day of 97/98 (was it really that bad?).

Having said that we did miss Dwight badly come spring '99 when Merson and Collymore had off the field issues and Dublin's meteoric start had waned.

[peter w]

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.

GET OUT!

[Mister E]

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.

Can't let that go. Brian Little was a class act who - with a little luck and a Villa playing more seasons in the top flight - would have become an England regular.
For the rest, yes!

The player most poorly served by his international manager(s) was Sid: he and Hoddle should have been paired as the England heartbeat for years, and wasn't.

[St AustellAVFC]

£12.5m for Yorke was only a year after Shearer broke the £15m British transfer record, I don't think we could have demanded much more. Risky playing a player wanting to leave cf. his much-cited "performance" at Everton on the opening day of 97/98 (was it really that bad?).

Having said that we did miss Dwight badly come spring '99 when Merson and Collymore had off the field issues and Dublin's meteoric start had waned.

That performance at Everton won me a bet with a nose friend of mine. I bet that Yorkie would start the season as a Villa player.

[Clampy]

£12.5m for Yorke was only a year after Shearer broke the £15m British transfer record, I don't think we could have demanded much more. Risky playing a player wanting to leave cf. his much-cited "performance" at Everton on the opening day of 97/98 (was it really that bad?).

I was there that day and yes, he didn't look in the slightest bit interested.

[ACVilla]

£12.5m for Yorke was only a year after Shearer broke the £15m British transfer record, I don't think we could have demanded much more. Risky playing a player wanting to leave cf. his much-cited "performance" at Everton on the opening day of 97/98 (was it really that bad?).

I was there that day and yes, he didn't look in the slightest bit interested.

Was that when John Collins missed a penalty for them (i think it may have been his debut as well) If so I was also there but don't really remember Yorke's performance or lack thereof

[cheltenhamlion]

I do. Yorke ambled about without ever breaking into a trot, let alone a run.

[Tayls_7]

I do. Yorke ambled about without ever breaking into a trot, let alone a run.

Seconded. I was there. He was beyond disinterested.

[willenhall villa]

Strange how such a shite performance sticks out. Yorke was disgrace that day.

[Scratchins]

I was at Everton and it still makes me mad that a professional player couldn't even be bothered to jog.
I was also at Old Trafford when he ran the length of the field to kiss the badge in front of the Villa fans - and it wasn't him who scored against us.

[Sexual Ealing]

Yorke is without doubt the best attacking player I have ever seen playing for us, but he has acted like a bell-piece on several occasions since. He still has credit in the bank with me though (although if I'd been at OT that day...)

Dalian Atkinson could have been better if he'd wanted it enough. Collymore had the talent to be better than both. It's a terrible shame for him, and us, what happened.

McGrath though, ultimately. Obviously.

[villabear]

The 'backhealed volleyed' clearances, the 'no chance of catching the striker' then easily winning the ball challenges. The telling Southgate and Barry where to stand and what to do and making them look good while all the time making his job look piss easy. That effortless looking run even though his knees where knackered. The song thanking Yanited for his services (and every time he played not quite believing they had sold him). Watching the Ireland v Italy World Cup game USA 94 and seeing one of the best performances ever and thinking "he's ours he is". The shyness, dignity and humility of the man every time you heard him speak.

Paul McGrath, I can say I saw him play for my team. I was one of the lucky ones.

The greatest.

[ACVilla]

I was at Everton and it still makes me mad that a professional player couldn't even be bothered to jog.
I was also at Old Trafford when he ran the length of the field to kiss the badge in front of the Villa fans - and it wasn't him who scored against us.

Crikey i remember that at Old Trafford.

The venom that he unleashed inside me then is embarrassing when I look back.

[Mister E]

Yorke is without doubt the best attacking player I have ever seen playing for us, but he has acted like a bell-piece on several occasions since. He still has credit in the bank with me though (although if I'd been at OT that day...)

Dalian Atkinson could have been better if he'd wanted it enough. Collymore had the talent to be better than both. It's a terrible shame for him, and us, what happened.

McGrath though, ultimately. Obviously.

Re strikers, you did not see Gray and Little, then? The best.

[berneboy]

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.

o

So much sense but I disagree about Sir Brian. He was sheer class. I still remember the seventeen year old Brian pointing, showing the senior players where he wanted the ball. Injuries messed it up but he was a great player. Never mind Sir Brian, he should be ennobled and be Lord Brian of Aston.