Dwight Yorke.

[dave.woodhall]

I'd be very interested to watch that Everton game again and see how badly he really did play, in reality as opposed to legend.

[saunders_heroes]

He was a great player for Villa no doubt, but he was a disgrace and deserves comparisons with Hodge for his efforts (or lack of it) after the 86 world cup. Hodge dont compare to Dwight as wehad some great service, but the comment re Milner and all his clubs showed up Yorkes lack of professionalism to his club IMO. Milner knew he had a massive move coming, as I approached the ground I thought no way he is playing, but he was chosen and was MOTM by a country mile. He probably doesnt love our club, but he gave his all when he knew he was going to get stick and turned it around.

Yorke had given us 9 years service, where as Milner couldn't wait to get out at the first opportunity. I don't get the Milner love in on here, her only turned it on for about a season and half then couldn't wait to get out the door. The likes of Barry and Yorke are demonised where as Milner is lauded as practically a "legend". I'll never understand modern football fans.

[Brend'Watkins]

Up there with McGrath, Platt, Shaw, Little? really?

Without a doubt.

I agree with that regarding talent

I've watched Villa for 46 years and I think in all that time he's our best ever player.  Player wise that's it.

Yorke as a person, I think he's a bit of a pratt.  The badge kissing thing, Jordan etc. 

[saunders_heroes]

I'd be very interested to watch that Everton game again and see how badly he really did play, in reality as opposed to legend.

 I was at the game as well and I remember him being poor but nowhere near as bad as fans make out now. It's like a bout of Chinese whispers which gets exaggerated every time it gets passed on.

[Billy Walker]

Yorke was a very fine player but he's no Villa great.  It's not so much the awful performance at Everton but the parking outside Doug Ellis's house until he was allowed to talk to Man Utd that seals it for me.

[peter w]

Why shouldn'thehave played against everton? Because his 'mind wasn't there'? He'sa professional footballer being paid a wage to do his job. And once your employed by Aston Villa, even if you maybe leaving, you do your job properly. If he had have played badly but put some effort in there fair enough, he'd cope some stick but nothing like what it is now. To see how you do it properly see:

Milner, J.

[Ian.]

I'm with you Dave. He should not have played in the first place. But why remember that one match over nearly ten years of great and exciting service. I will remember the good times and the fantastic atmosphere in the ground when he played. I know in my lifetime I have never had so much joy from one player in a Villa shirt.  I loved McGrath too but he did not give me that buzz that Yorke did.

Agreed.
One lousy game where he really shouldn't have played and some fans forget all the fantastic performances and great goals that went before just because of the Everton game. It's pathetic.

Quite mental if you ask me. There is just so many fantastic memories in my head from his smile after scoring, a cheeky but of skill during a game, juggling the ball from the tunnel all the way to reaching the Holte and then volleying the ball into the crowd, that song, the goals, assists and meeting him after a match and being a real nice guy to me and my dad.

[PeterWithesShin]

I wasn't at the Everton game but can confirm he took the piss. Strolling around smoking a pipe while listening to the wireless and ignoring the game going on. I believe he even sat down and started picking blades of grass and tried whistling with them during one of our attacks.

[saunders_heroes]

I wasn't at the Everton game but can confirm he took the piss. Strolling around smoking a pipe while listening to the wireless and ignoring the game going on. I believe he even sat down and started picking blades of grass and tried whistling with them during one of our attacks.

Give it a couple of decades and that'll be taken as gospel.

[villan from luton]

He was a great player for Villa no doubt, but he was a disgrace and deserves comparisons with Hodge for his efforts (or lack of it) after the 86 world cup. Hodge dont compare to Dwight as wehad some great service, but the comment re Milner and all his clubs showed up Yorkes lack of professionalism to his club IMO. Milner knew he had a massive move coming, as I approached the ground I thought no way he is playing, but he was chosen and was MOTM by a country mile. He probably doesnt love our club, but he gave his all when he knew he was going to get stick and turned it around.

Yorke had given us 9 years service, where as Milner couldn't wait to get out at the first opportunity. I don't get the Milner love in on here, her only turned it on for about a season and half then couldn't wait to get out the door. The likes of Barry and Yorke are demonised where as Milner is lauded as practically a "legend". I'll never understand modern football fans.

I have no problems with Yorke going, he certainly deserved it and Man Utd was a massive move. He was a top top player and massive talent, but he showed a lack of class in leaving IMO.

As for Milner, not a legend IMO by a long long way, but he gave his all for the club in every game he played. As for him leaving, we were going downhill and everyone knew it, I dont blame him as long as he gives his best when going for the move

[tomd2103]

One game over 9 years ?

He wasn't the quality striker he became for all of those 9 years though was he?  I remember him being in and out of the side for a long time and him not even being in the matchday squad for the League Cup win over Manchester Utd in '94.  He was top quality by the time he left us though and I'd have only put Shearer ahead of him in terms of Premier League strikers at that point. 

[dave.woodhall]

One game over 9 years ?

He wasn't the quality striker he became for all of those 9 years though was he?  I remember him being in and out of the side for a long time and him not even being in the matchday squad for the League Cup win over Manchester Utd in '94.  He was top quality by the time he left us though and I'd have only put Shearer ahead of him in terms of Premier League strikers at that point. 

That's because he was pissed about by BFR.

[villan from luton]

One game over 9 years ?

He wasn't the quality striker he became for all of those 9 years though was he?  I remember him being in and out of the side for a long time and him not even being in the matchday squad for the League Cup win over Manchester Utd in '94.  He was top quality by the time he left us though and I'd have only put Shearer ahead of him in terms of Premier League strikers at that point. 

That's because he was pissed about by BFR.

To be fair at that time we probably had the best strike partnership around. Yorkie was invited to be involved in the build up from what I recall

[Toronto Villa]

Up there with McGrath, Platt, Shaw, Little? really?

Off course he was. Look at his record, what he did, where he came from, his overall contribution. He played more games than Shaw, as many as Mcgrath and Little. Scored some great goals. So what he went to another team, the best team around at the time. So what he kissed a badge of an opponent. He was superb for us for many years.

And as for getting upset at not giving 100% you're not going to be able to field a five a side team if you only want players that give their all every game. I hope you weren't a fan of John Carew for example. I find this whole argument a but bizarre all because a player who was incredible for us, considers us his team went on to play for a team that furthered his career. Something that it is our fault that year after year we cannot offer to our players and they leave. It's as much on us if not more so than a player with a short career opportunity.

[ozzjim]

First there was Platt, and then a lull, before I idolised Yorkie growing up. Man was a genius of a footballer. I still love the goal he scored on the volley at Southampton I am sure, towards the end of his last season with us. What a talent, and he proved it by winning what he won after he left.

Will always deservedly have a special spot on my favourite Villa player bus. Indeed in my side of watching Villa, he would walk into the starting line up.