David Platt's Villa Dream Team

[Drummond]

I liked Platt a lot until he pissed off to Bari.

I loved Sid though, amazing to watch and definitely in my first choice XI.

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

Sid pissed off to Bari too...

At least Big Ron was able to use the Platt money to build a title-challenging squad.  And rather Bari than Man U or Liverpool.

[PeterWithesShin]

Sid pissed off to Bari too...

As did Paul Rideout.

[DeKuip]

His goal against Belgium in the World Cup remains one of my proudest moments to be a Villa fan.

[Risso]

Platt was brilliant for us, a genuinely top class player, one of the few we've had,

[Drummond]

Sid pissed off to Bari too...

At least Big Ron was able to use the Platt money to build a title-challenging squad.  And rather Bari than Man U or Liverpool.

It doesn't matter. That doesn't suit my argument that Sid  is a legend.

(I did really like Platt at the time and became popular for a while when that goal against Belgium went in)

However, Sid is just one of my favourites.

[Dave Javu]

When he was at Villa, he lived a few doors away from my parents. In fact a couple of times my Dad was charged with looking after his house when he was away. I was told that he was learning Italian for some time before his move to Bari.

Like many others have said - great player, I loved all the energy and all the goals from midfield and his wonderful midfield partnership with Sid. Yes, he's pretty unlikeable now, but we made (for the time) a huge profit on him which paid (as I see it) for the Witton Lane Stand redevelopment/Big Ron's rebuilding project, and besides, you can't convince or force anyone to love a club. Even, sadly, the greatest club in the world.

He did run a bit like Forrest Gump, though.

[Hillbilly]

Platt or Merson?

Not even close, Platt.

I asked because, although Platt was a outstanding player who contributed a lot to the Villa, Merson is the post-82 midfielder I would actually pay over the odds to watch. That right foot was indeed magic.

[Toronto Villa]

Merson was magic, no doubt. He isn't Platt though. Platt was just so brilliantly efficient and what he was able to do. Like I said the closest thing to Lampard if you want a modern day comparison without the pointing at the sky bollocks every time.

[tomd2103]

Platt or Merson?

Not even close, Platt.

I asked because, although Platt was a outstanding player who contributed a lot to the Villa, Merson is the post-82 midfielder I would actually pay over the odds to watch. That right foot was indeed magic.

I've always thought he would have been ideal for the "number 10" role, but mostly played at a time when it wasn't a position used by teams in this country.  In terms of English players, Matt Le Tissier is another one who would have been really suited to that position. 

[RussellC]

Merson was magic, no doubt. He isn't Platt though. Platt was just so brilliantly efficient and what he was able to do. Like I said the closest thing to Lampard if you want a modern day comparison without the pointing at the sky bollocks every time.

I would actually rate Platt as a better footballer than Lampard. Yes, Lampard's probably achieved more in the game, but he's consistently played in better teams than Platt. A large portion of his goals have come from speculative long distance efforts too, whereas Platt was always about perfectly timing his runs into the box. As a finisher, he was better than most strikers too.

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

Platt also scored what should have been the winner in the 1990 World Cup semi-final, second half extra time.

Have a look at this, about 1hr 55 mins in.  Brian Moore says it was offside in a matter of fact way, but I'm not so sure.

[PeterWithesShin]

I can't remember what the law was back then as it has changed a few times. There was a time when being level was offside, and also any player was offside none of this interfering with play stuff, so it doesn't look offside now but may well have been back then.

[Drummond]

These days, Brehme's challenge that led to that free kick would likely be a red-card offence.

[usav]

These days, Brehme's challenge that led to that free kick would likely be a red-card offence.

Agreed, good to see Gazza's reaction though.