25 Villa players from the Premier League era

[Deano's Mullet]

Over on football 365 they are getting people emailing in 25 man squads for their teams made up of players from 1992 to the present day. This got me thinking would be a good idea for a thread. Who would you pick in a 25 man squad? Don't forget, they have to have played in the Premier League.

GKS
1 Mark Bosnich  2 Nigel Spink 3 Brad Friedel

DF
4 Steve Staunton 5 Alan Wright 6 Earl Barrett  7 Gary Charles
8 Paul McGrath  9 Shaun Teale 10 Gareth Southgate 11 Olof Mellberg

MF

12 Garry Parker 13 Kevin Richardson 14 Andy Townsend 15 Ian Taylor
16 Paul Merson 17 Ashley Young 18 James Milner 19 Stan Petrov

ST

20 Dean Saunders  21 Dalian Atkinson 22 Dwight Yorke 23 Savo Milosevic
24 Juan Pablo Angel  25 Christian Benteke

[cdbearsfan]

I think you've been greedy with the centre-forwards, you don't need that six in a twenty-five man squad, although it is tempting! As for picking Savo... you've gone mad there. Dalian's a controversial inclusion but he did arguably did more than any one else to secure the first of only two trophies we've won.

We've struggled at right back, haven't we? Even going back twenty-four years I've found it difficult to pick two. I've gone with Charles but I remember I used to moan about him when he played for us! I think Barrett is the only right-back that has my total support in this period, and he was signed to play centre-half! I've added Mellberg so he can play right-back cover if required as we've had plenty of excellent central defenders.

Struggled to think of goalkeepers other than Bosnich. Spink was good for us but his best years were pre-Premier League.

I like Petrov but wouldn't, honestly, call him one of our very best midfielders. He was superb by the time he became ill but was poor during his first season and only so-so for much of the intervening period. Barry has to be in there. You could make a case for Delph as a defensive midfielder but... bollocks to picking him.

GK (3) Bosnich, James, Friedel

DF  (9) Barrett, Charles, McGrath, Southgate, Ehiogu, Mellberg, Laursen, Wright, Staunton

MF (8) Young, Milner, Barry, Taylor, Richardson, Townsend, Daley, Merson

ATT (5) Benteke, Yorke, Saunders, Dublin, Atkinson

[Deano's Mullet]

I think you've been greedy with the centre-forwards, you don't need that six in a twenty-five man squad, although it is tempting! As for picking Savo... you've gone mad there. Dalian's a controversial inclusion but he did arguably did more than any one else to secure the first of only two trophies we've won.

We've struggled at right back, haven't we? Even going back twenty-four years I've found it difficult to pick two. I've gone with Charles but I remember I used to moan about him when he played for us! I think Barrett is the only right-back that has my total support in this period, and he was signed to play centre-half! I've added Mellberg so he can play right-back cover if required as we've had plenty of excellent central defenders.

Struggled to think of goalkeepers other than Bosnich. Spink was good for us but his best years were pre-Premier League.

I like Petrov but wouldn't, honestly, call him one of our very best midfielders. He was superb by the time he became ill but was poor during his first season and only so-so for much of the intervening period. Barry has to be in there. You could make a case for Delph as a defensive midfielder but... bollocks to picking him.

GK (3) Bosnich, James, Friedel

DF  (9) Barrett, Charles, McGrath, Southgate, Ehiogu, Mellberg, Laursen, Wright, Staunton

MF ( Young, Milner, Barry, Taylor, Richardson, Townsend, Daley, Merson

ATT (5) Benteke, Yorke, Saunders, Dublin, Atkinson

Just matter of nostalgic favouritism I guess. Savo was a very talented player who scored a stunner in a cup final and worked well as a partnership with Yorke. In fact Yorke and Saunders worked well together too. Dalian on top form and interested in the game was unstoppable. I didn't think Delph warranted a place regardless of his current standing with Villa fans. It was a toss up between Petrov and Barry and on another day I might have picked Barry. Might have gone for Fernando Nelson at RB too but you have to think Barrett and Charles were the best, look how many goals came from Charles crosses in 1995-96. Mark Delaney was ok but not as good I don't think.

[Deano's Mullet]

I think you've been greedy with the centre-forwards, you don't need that six in a twenty-five man squad, although it is tempting! As for picking Savo... you've gone mad there. Dalian's a controversial inclusion but he did arguably did more than any one else to secure the first of only two trophies we've won.

We've struggled at right back, haven't we? Even going back twenty-four years I've found it difficult to pick two. I've gone with Charles but I remember I used to moan about him when he played for us! I think Barrett is the only right-back that has my total support in this period, and he was signed to play centre-half! I've added Mellberg so he can play right-back cover if required as we've had plenty of excellent central defenders.

Struggled to think of goalkeepers other than Bosnich. Spink was good for us but his best years were pre-Premier League.

I like Petrov but wouldn't, honestly, call him one of our very best midfielders. He was superb by the time he became ill but was poor during his first season and only so-so for much of the intervening period. Barry has to be in there. You could make a case for Delph as a defensive midfielder but... bollocks to picking him.

GK (3) Bosnich, James, Friedel

DF  (9) Barrett, Charles, McGrath, Southgate, Ehiogu, Mellberg, Laursen, Wright, Staunton

MF ( Young, Milner, Barry, Taylor, Richardson, Townsend, Daley, Merson

ATT (5) Benteke, Yorke, Saunders, Dublin, Atkinson

I did think about Daley but in his two Premier League seasons he was either injured or very very inconsistent. I think he was at his best between 1989-92. Steve Froggatt was a favourite too.

[tomd2103]

Over on football 365 they are getting people emailing in 25 man squads for their teams made up of players from 1992 to the present day. This got me thinking would be a good idea for a thread. Who would you pick in a 25 man squad? Don't forget, they have to have played in the Premier League.

GKS
1 Mark Bosnich  2 Nigel Spink 3 Brad Friedel

DF
4 Steve Staunton 5 Alan Wright 6 Earl Barrett  7 Gary Charles
8 Paul McGrath  9 Shaun Teale 10 Gareth Southgate 11 Olof Mellberg

MF

12 Garry Parker 13 Kevin Richardson 14 Andy Townsend 15 Ian Taylor
16 Paul Merson 17 Ashley Young 18 James Milner 19 Stan Petrov

ST

20 Dean Saunders  21 Dalian Atkinson 22 Dwight Yorke 23 Savo Milosevic
24 Juan Pablo Angel  25 Christian Benteke

Not bad at all that.  Only changes I would consider (based purely on their time at Villa) are Delaney for Charles, Laursen for Teale, Barry for Parker, Houghton for Petrov and Dublin for either Savo or JPA. 

I was thinking Carew for Atkinson, but Dalian would be a good option to have in the squad.

[Deano's Mullet]

Dublin was ok but technically he wasn't in Savo's league and his goal scoring record wasn't massively better. I did like Houghton but Parker in 1992-93 was class and nearly hit double figures in terms of goals scored. I forgot about Carew but again Dalian did the goods at Wembley and like BFR said, at one point he was the most exciting player in the country.

Loving the different lineups though

[glasses]

Bosnich, James, Friedel

Delaney, Barrett, McGrath, Southgate, Laursen, Ugo, Staunton, Wright

Milner, Taylor, Townsend, Young, Barry,

Benteke, Angel, Saunders, Vassell, Yorke, Carew

Struggling to think of 3 more midfielders I'd really want. We've had some decent ones, but I think those five are the best and I can't think of any other standouts.

Bear in mind the first 3 or 4 years of the prem I was in primary school so memory isn't the best of players like Richardson and Parker

I think midfield is a position we've always struggled

[cdbearsfan]

I'd forgotten Delaney. He's in for Charles.

[rob_bridge]

Over on football 365 they are getting people emailing in 25 man squads for their teams made up of players from 1992 to the present day. This got me thinking would be a good idea for a thread. Who would you pick in a 25 man squad? Don't forget, they have to have played in the Premier League.

GKS
1 Mark Bosnich  2 Nigel Spink 3 Brad Friedel

DF
4 Steve Staunton 5 Alan Wright 6 Earl Barrett  7 Gary Charles
8 Paul McGrath  9 Shaun Teale 10 Gareth Southgate 11 Olof Mellberg

MF

12 Garry Parker 13 Kevin Richardson 14 Andy Townsend 15 Ian Taylor
16 Paul Merson 17 Ashley Young 18 James Milner 19 Stan Petrov

ST

20 Dean Saunders  21 Dalian Atkinson 22 Dwight Yorke 23 Savo Milosevic
24 Juan Pablo Angel  25 Christian Benteke

Petrov ahead of Barry er no way.
Ugo was better than Teale so was Laursen
Savo/JPA not ahead of Dublin.
Delaney ahead of Charles

[Holte L2]

Bosnich
Spink
James

Barrett
L.Young
Mellberg
Mcgrath
Ehiogu
Laursen
Staunton
Wright

Townsend
Merson
Barry
Richardson
Parker
Milner
Solano
Young
Taylor

Yorke
Saunders
Benteke
Carew
Milosevic

[Deano's Mullet]

Bosnich
Spink
James

Barrett
L.Young
Mellberg
Mcgrath
Ehiogu
Laursen
Staunton
Wright

Townsend
Merson
Barry
Richardson
Parker
Milner
Solano
Young
Taylor

Yorke
Saunders
Benteke
Carew
Milosevic

I forgot Solano. Still don't know if I would have included him.  At least another Savo lover out there!

[The Left Side]

I guess this season is the end of an era as we don't know when we'll be back in the PL (sigh).

[MadJohnnyC]

GK - Bosnich, James, Friedel

Def - McGrath, Laursen, Mellberg, Staunton, Delaney, Bouma, Southgate, Dunne, Luke Young

Mid - Taylor, Merson, Townsend, Milner, Barry, Ashley Young, Petrov, Daley

For - Yorke, Benteke, Dublin, Collymore, Carew

Manager - Brian Little

[dave.woodhall]

Are we talking at their best, or what they did as a whole? If it's the former, Yorke, Atkinson and Collymore could compete with any three any other club could offer.

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

GK:  Bosnich, Friedel, James
DF:  Delaney, Mellberg, Staunton, Bouma, McGrath, Laursen, Southgate, Ehiogu
MF:  Barry, Milner, Taylor, Boateng, Richardson Kev, Townsend, Merson, Young A, Daley
FW:  Benteke, Yorke, Dublin, Saunders, Atkinson

Only real debates were Delaney vs Barrett; Atkinson vs Angel or Collymore; and I went for Boateng over Petrov.