Olof Mellberg out.

[nigel]

He was no slouch either. The big man had pace.
I remember Michael Owen, in his pomp, pushing the ball past him for a clear run at goal. I think everyone expected the inevitable Owen goal. However, Olaf turned and still beat Owen to the ball.

[cdbearsfan]

He was no slouch either. The big man had pace.
I remember Michael Owen, in his pomp, pushing the ball past him for a clear run at goal. I think everyone expected the inevitable Owen goal. However, Olaf turned and still beat Owen to the ball.

Then Owen pulled up injured and was out for six months.

Probably.

[RussellC]

Cult hero rather than legend. I don't know what the difference is, but I'd say the latter is remembered by everyone even if they never saw him play while the former is remembered by a section of our support (think McGrath compared to Ian Taylor or Sid/Eamonn Deacy).

I think that's pretty much spot on.

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

It's not his fault that he's not old enough to have seen players that people in their 40s and 50s consider their own 'legends', nor that he has a relatively poor selection of his own to work from compared to anybody in their 30s and older.

I agree with this. I'm only 20, so I can't really comment on people like Little, Withe etc. as I never got to see them play, although, of course, I value the opinion of those who did.

Mellberg is a legend for me. Alright, we didn't win a trophy, or crack the top 4, but he gave me many happy memories supporting us. A really great defender, I wish him all the best.

[CJ]

My mate said to me last night I wonder how long it will take for fans to start to say let's have him back as a coach.

Making me chuckle already reading it

I'm far from the first to say it and dare say I'm a long way from being the last, so looks like you and your mate will have endless hours of mirth to look forward to

[class-of-82]

How uncanny is that,
Just finished downloading the 2nd series of Vikings off the net and the 1st thing I read is about mellberg the Viking.
Always be in my all time villa squad and I been going down since 67

[adrenachrome]

Birmingham Mail

Olof Mellberg: My memories of Aston Villa

Revealed: Aston Villa legend Olof Mellberg remembers his time at Villa Park

Aug 01, 2014 11:46 By Bill Howell

As Olof Mellberg prepares to wave farewell to football, we look back at his best memories of playing for Aston Villa.

Who has been your best central defensive partner?

Martin Laursen. When I came here, myself and Alpay started together but first I got injured, then he got injured and then he left for various reasons! So it would probably have to be Martin Laursen and myself, especially at the end of my last season it worked really well. We seemed to complement each other really well. We understood each other quite well too.

Your favourite Villa player?

David Ginola. The most talented rather than anything else would have to be David Ginola. He had everything. Even though he was at the end of his career, he was really fit and strong and great technical ability - and the goals he scored were unbelievable.

I have never seen such a talent. It was a shame he stopped playing because he had a few years in him with the physique he had. He probably wasn’t at the top of his game when he was here but you could definitely see his talent. He had great presence and he was a great character off the pitch as well.

Best game for Villa?

Villa 5 Blues 1. I felt we really dominated that game from the first minute and because of how special those games are, to perform like we did under pressure makes it even better.

Best atmosphere?

Villa 3 Blues 1. I will always remember this last derby game. I wasn’t involved when we won 3-1 at home and Gary Cahill scored that wonder goal. I sat in the stands and you feel the atmosphere in a different way when you’re watching it from the stands.

There is always a great atmosphere at the away games as well. It’s special when you see all the travelling fans.

The fans who go to the away games are really up for it - they sing from the first minute we come out in the warm-up to the very last minute.

Most influential person on your Villa career?

John Gregory. John signed me and if he hadn’t have signed me, I probably wouldn’t be here. He was the one who followed me for quite a long time. He came down to Spain and he watched me with the national team on a few occasions so he was the one who really wanted to sign me. But a lot of players have influenced me as well. When I came to Villa, I got a great start and I really felt welcome.

Favourite Villa goal?

Middlesbrough away in 2007-08. I took the ball down in the box and had a good finish. The one I scored against Manchester United at Old Trafford from a corner was special as well (2002). We got a point from there by drawing 1-1 which doesn’t always happen so it was a good result and special to score in a big game like that. The goal I scored at Arsenal was similar because we got a draw and it was special because it was the first goal at the Emirates.

[john2710]

Very good player, but not a legend. His send-off at West Ham was special. His vocal dislike of Small Heath, the ovation he got as he left the pitch in the 5-1 win & the very real enjoyment captured in his clenched fists leaves some fond memories.

Best wishes for the future Olof.

[nigel]

He was no slouch either. The big man had pace.
I remember Michael Owen, in his pomp, pushing the ball past him for a clear run at goal. I think everyone expected the inevitable Owen goal. However, Olaf turned and still beat Owen to the ball.

Then Owen pulled up injured and was out for six months.

Probably.

No, mate. Olaf had him fair and square

[basavfc]

 'I'VE JUST GOT THE FEELING THAT I DONT LIKE BIRMINGHAM CITY AT ALL'

Legendary

[PeterWithesShin]

I very much agree with him being a Cult Hero rather than a Villa legend.

All the best for the future Ollie.

[Toronto Villa]

I think Dave makes a solid point that I would agree with that every era essentially have its own legend in the eyes of those watching. The older you are the greater the body of evidence there is to choose from. For a 20yr they won't have seen many of the greats of Aston Villa past play so they can only draw on what they see or what they might have heard about or caught clips of.

For me Mellberg represents a better time at the club and especially in relation to the manner of his departure. Given the very recent history of Aston Villa it is easy to look back at him and the players he played with in even more favourable light than he might have been afforded otherwise. If we took a vote of all truly great Villa players, he would be just outside what would be considered a true legend, maybe in the same bracket as Taylor, Platt and Laursen. Cult heroes. Super players but just outside legendary status in my opinion.

[Clampy]

Cult hero sounds good. Like I think someone said earlier, I think he'd like that.

[KevinGage]

Eight years at the one club is rare in this day and age. Particularly if it's a player who wasn't on the clubs books as a kid.

He's not in Cowans/ McGrath/ Shaw territory for me, but if others want to call him a legend, I have no issue with that.

[Mister E]

I was at the Emirates and at OT when he scored goals for us that seemed so significant at the time - he was a splendid player: not gifted in the way that some are, but he had great reading of the game, and good positioning. And he had the heart for our club: I loved the fact that he left shirts on the seats for the Villa fans at WHU.

I've watched Villa since 1967 and have seen some great CB: McGrath, Psycho Evans, Southgate, Laursen, Nielsen ... and others. Mellberg will always be a favourite for me for his attitude and commitment: he's not a great but certainly a Cult Hero.
And he played in better times than currently ...