Gordon Cowans - still going

[Smithy]

When I was a kid playing football, I developed an affectation of tapping the toe of my kicking foot onto the floor behind me, before taking a set piece, and it was a while before I realised I was copying Sid.  I'd just subconsciously learned THIS was how you take set pieces.

[Toronto Villa]

As our favourites get on in years, if we dig up an old thread to share good news can we add - not to worry or something at the end of the title? Like we do with Paul McGrath. There have been so many recent passings or bits of unfortunate news it would be nice to know immediately that things are well.

And just like that very sadly Alan Little has passed away aged 69. Condolences to his family and of course Sir Brian.

[sid1964]

Me and a fair few other Villa fans were in the Brummie Road End to see the Sid pass for the Daley goal.

Remember reading after we won the league, that Sid had asked Sir Ron to be dropped from the team, because he thought he was not playing well. Ron kept playing him.

[Drummond]

From the Guardian in reference to the Juventus game.

Cowans is adored at Villa Park. In an era of all-action midfielders who oozed testosterone, Cowans was a symbol of understated class. “What a player,” says Blair. “His energy, his ability with right or left foot, his awareness and ability to pick a pass. He was tenacious; he had everything. He’d be a great player in any system, in any era. He’s the best player I ever played with and a great person.”

Oh how I'd love him to be in this side.

[pauliewalnuts]

From the Guardian in reference to the Juventus game.

Cowans is adored at Villa Park. In an era of all-action midfielders who oozed testosterone, Cowans was a symbol of understated class. “What a player,” says Blair. “His energy, his ability with right or left foot, his awareness and ability to pick a pass. He was tenacious; he had everything. He’d be a great player in any system, in any era. He’s the best player I ever played with and a great person.”

Oh how I'd love him to be in this side.

The little shuffle he does before playing the ball out for it to come back in for his goal, which is referred to in that article, was absolutely exquisite.

He could have been part of that Juventus side and not looked remotely out of place.

[LeeB]

And he's right about any era, he was a complete natural. I mentioned it before but it was only fairly recently watching the highlights of the Everton 6-2 game that I realised he had assists from set pieces taken with each foot.

I don't really recall any other player that could do that, yes there have been two footed players but they would usually have a favoured foot for delivering something as precise as a free kick.

[Drummond]

Any era, any system, any team.

[kippaxvilla2]

Nice of Tony Blair to give him that praise.

[ventnorVillain]

I occasionally used to bump into Clive Allen (ex Spurs, Crystal Palace Man. City and England, for you youngsters, and serial scorer of goals against us) who told me that he was the best player he ever played with or against and thought it was a travesty that he didn't have far more England caps than he did.

[dcdavecollett]

Just trying to butter up the Villa fans so they don't demand he goes to prison for his war crimes in Iraq.

[Des Little]

Nice of Tony Blair to give him that praise.

I think it was Lionel Blair.  He praised him using the form of mime. 

[LeeB]

Just trying to butter up the Villa fans so they don't demand he goes to prison for his war crimes in Iraq.

Wasn't aware of Clive Allen's war crimes but he did break my little heart with his opening day hat-trick against us in '86.

[PeterWithe]

Just trying to butter up the Villa fans so they don't demand he goes to prison for his war crimes in Iraq.

Wasn't aware of Clive Allen's war crimes but he did break my little heart with his opening day hat-trick against us in '86.

I remember that game, there was an air of mild optimism that we might not be that bad this season, that didn't last long.

[kippaxvilla2]

Ah my first real season of attending what a joy that was.  I remember a few weeks later someone shouting ‘clean sheet today Kev’ at Kevin Poole whilst he was warming up.  Cue 1-4 at home to Norwich.  Admittedly Hodge contributed  to one of their goals.

[Percy McCarthy]

I might have mentioned it before, but when he played for us the first time, I was so sick of people not realising how great he was, I almost wanted him to move to a club where he’d get the credit he deserved.