Derek Mountfield: Villa Dream Team

[PeterWithesShin]

Interesting that he picks Staunton considering they only played together twice. And Yorke who "scored some absolutely magnificent goals too". Those 2 goals he scored with Mountfield in the team must have been really magnificent!

Derek Mountfield's career was linked with two clubs - Villa and Everton.

He signed for the Toffees in a £30,000 deal in 1982 and made a massive contribution.

He formed a defensive partnership with Kevin Ratcliffe as the club won the League Championship in 1985.

Everton also reached the FA Cup final that season - but lost to Manchester United - and won the title again in 1987.

He moved to Villa in the summer of 1988 for £450,000 and proved to be a super purchase, impressing in a central defensive three - alongside Paul McGrath and Kent Nielsen.

The claret and blue troops, newly promoted in 1988, struggled in Derek's first season but finished second in the league in 1990 under Graham Taylor.

A fast and strong defender, Derek was a composed footballer who could make important contributions at both ends of the pitch.

Here, he gives his top Villa XI, with two larger than life characters leading the line:

NIGEL SPINK gets my vote in goal because he commanded his box fantastically - and he could kick the ball a mile.

CHRIS PRICE takes his place as right-back and I remember one funny story about him. I recall him scoring against Arsenal and then not knowing how to celebrate. He literally didn't know what to do! I thought he did a great job. He bombed forward but also took care of the defensive side of the game too.

KEVIN GAGE was a very underrated footballer who never attracted the headlines. He could play in a variety of positions but always did a good job when called upon.

KENT NIELSEN was a model professional and a great athlete. He always looked after himself - watching what he ate and drank and looked after his body.

PAUL McGRATH was a tremendous footballer - simple as that! He may have had his problems off the field but come 3pm, give him a shirt and he'd always give 100 per cent to the cause. And he was a real gent away from the game too.

GORDON COWANS was the best two-footed player I ever played with. He was multi-talented because not only would he tackle tremendously but he'd then hit the killer pass too.

TONY DALEY had lightning pace and was supremely skilful. He offered us a different dimension in the season when we finished second. He was a fans' favourite and is always guaranteed a good reception whenever he returns to Villa Park.

DAVID PLATT was all about desire, belief and hard work. His big strength was working hard in training and then staying afterwards to work on his game. I was impressed with that determination.

DWIGHT YORKE never, ever stopped smiling! I first saw him playing in Trinidad and acted as his chauffeur for a while when he joined Villa. What a superb footballer he was! My overriding memory of him is of a player who always played football with a smile on his face. He scored some absolutely magnificent goals too.

ALAN McINALLY is as loud now as he was when I played with him but he was a great footballer. He had pure strength and it sums up his quality that a side as big as Bayern Munich came in for him.

STEVE STAUNTON was a wonderful footballer and had a great engine to get forward and whip in some great crosses. He also weighed in with some crucial goals. His determination and work ethic were an example to the younger players.

[Ian.]

I liked Derek, great memories from those players he's chosen. I'm surprised Alan Evans was not picked though, I thought they made a great partnership.

[Damo70]

I liked Mounty. His knee injury was one of the reasons we started dropping points towards the end of the season and failed to win the league in 1990. He was always good for a goal as well. I seem to remember he got something like 14 in all competitions for Everton in 1985 when they narrowly missed out on a treble.

[Chico Hamilton III]

I liked Mounty. His knee injury was one of the reasons we started dropping points towards the end of the season and failed to win the league in 1990. He was always good for a goal as well. I seem to remember he got something like 14 in all competitions for Everton in 1985 when they narrowly missed out on a treble.

I liked him as well - always good value for coming up at corners for a headed goal. The goal in the cup at the Albion was one of my favourites. Funny, but I always think of him predominantly as an Everton player - I bet most people do - but I just checked and he only played a handful more games for them than he did for us.

[Deano's Mullet]

He was a decent defender and one of our most prolific goalscoring defenders - I can only think of Laursen and Agent Ridgewell (in DOL's last season) that hit the net as often as he did from centre back. Always remember his winner vs Arsenal around the end of 1989.

[dave.woodhall]

He had a great knack for finding space in the penalty area and scoring. It wasn't always at the right end but you can't have everything.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Very underrated player by non-Villa fans.
He was a "proper" defender in that he was good in the air, tackled well and was always a threat when he went up the other end.
He makes some interesting choices.

[saunders_heroes]

Bi think he's picked a cracking team. As for Staunton, he's the best left back I've ever seen at Villa.

[Damo70]

Bi think he's picked a cracking team. As for Staunton, he's the best left back I've ever seen at Villa.

I would have to agree with that. Partly as a his quality as a player and partly as his winning mentality. We bang on about Roy Keane these days but 'Stan' was a competitor and not a good loser. I think Martin Keown deserved an honourable mention too. He was clearly a class player even in a bad period.

[oldham_villa]

Who wrote the original description of Derek....fast? They are having a laugh. He was great on the floor, good in the air and deadly in both boxes, but he got turned very easily and was very slow.

I loved that season with DM, KN and PM.....the holy trinity!

[rob_bridge]

I liked Mounty. His knee injury was one of the reasons we started dropping points towards the end of the season and failed to win the league in 1990. He was always good for a goal as well. I seem to remember he got something like 14 in all competitions for Everton in 1985 when they narrowly missed out on a treble.

I liked him as well - always good value for coming up at corners for a headed goal. The goal in the cup at the Albion was one of my favourites. Funny, but I always think of him predominantly as an Everton player - I bet most people do - but I just checked and he only played a handful more games for them than he did for us.

A very solid pro and was good value for Villa once he settled in.

Yep that is my mind too. an Everton player who played for us. Like Des Bremner - he played nearly as many games for That Lot as he did for us, albeit mostly at a  lower level.

[Rudy65]

I liked Mounty. His knee injury was one of the reasons we started dropping points towards the end of the season and failed to win the league in 1990. He was always good for a goal as well. I seem to remember he got something like 14 in all competitions for Everton in 1985 when they narrowly missed out on a treble.

I liked him as well - always good value for coming up at corners for a headed goal. The goal in the cup at the Albion was one of my favourites. Funny, but I always think of him predominantly as an Everton player - I bet most people do - but I just checked and he only played a handful more games for them than he did for us.

A very solid pro and was good value for Villa once he settled in.

Yep that is my mind too. an Everton player who played for us. Like Des Bremner - he played nearly as many games for That Lot as he did for us, albeit mostly at a  lower level.

I read that about Bremner and thought rubbish. Checked it and youre correct. A Villa legend play 168 games for the scum cant believe it