The Unsung Heroes Aston Villa xi

[Damo70]

Never thought John Deehan got the recognition he deserved at times. As a kid growing up Deehan was definitely a favourite player of mine back in the day.

We need to call Nev to this thread to post his John Deehan guitar story.

[itbrvilla]

Tommy Johnson and Mark Delaney.

[tony scott]

Tommy Mitchesson thought he was a great little mid fielder

[McGraths Dry Cleaning]

I can remember being gutted when Earl Barrett ("You'll never beat Earl Barrett") signed for Everton. Also loved Shaun Teal (the original "He's here, he's there, he's every fu**ing where Shaun Teal etc")

[Deano's Mullet]

Franz Carr. A handful of appearances but one goal which took us to an FA Cup semifinal. Younger Villa fans might have never heard of him but always going to be a cult figure for that alone.

[simboy]

John Robson.

[Simon Page]

John Burridge - keeper in a legendary side but less-remembered than the four regular number ones that followed.
Mark Delaney - one of Gregory's best signings and a real miss when injured.
Gary Williams - probably the least spoken about member of 80-82.
Leighton Phillips - proper skipper, proper centre half.
Derek Mountfield - overshadowed by his central defensive partners but vital to SGT's three.
Paul Birch - I don't think you can have an unsung heroes line-up without him.
Kevin Richardson - every side needs one.
Mark Draper - just for 95/6 when he was over-shadowed by more popular names, but brilliant nonetheless.
John Deehan - much needed back-up to the often injured Andy Gray.
Ian Olney - appalling goals per game record, but what a job he did to create space for Platt.
Mark Walters - simply stunning, worthy of similar praise to the wingers who sandwiched him, Morley and Daley.

[ChicagoLion]

James Chester

[dave shelley]

Surely Des Bremner is the captain?

I must be honest, I don't class Des as an unsung hero.  He won the league and the European Cup, and the Super Cup.  Therefore, a proper hero rather than an unsung one.

And a gentleman into the bargain.

[itmustbe_it is!]

Bosko Jankovic - does he count?

Other than those already mentioned I have.....

Alan Hutton
Freddie Bouma
Chris Price
Garry Parker

[Villan For Life]

I’d add Eamon Deacy to the unsung heroes list too, he’d be at least on the bench.

[Three Spires Villa]

Gavin McCann, must be somewhere? Eamon Deacy, James Chester, Warren Aspinal.

[Mister E]

Keith Leonard - a potentially-great player, robbed by injury.
Neil Rioch - supported our acquisition of Bruce!
John Burridge - better than his antics suggested.

[SoccerHQ]

Bouma needs to be in at left back.

Really struggled in his first season with the pace bur massively improved once we got a good run under MON halfway through the next season (I think we played Barry quite a bit at left back up to xmas). Can remember one game where he totally nulified Wright Phillips who was at Chelsea and he gained loads of confidence from that. Was excellent in 07/08.

Considering the dross we've had in that position since he did really well but then he was a regular Dutch international when we signed him. Pretty sure after we decided he was no longer fit enough for premier league after the injury he went back to Holland and got a few more caps for them.

Thought Ronny Johnsen was really good for the two years he was here aswell. Was surprised we didn't offer him a new deal for 2004-05. Had his injuries but he started 22 league games that season. Were playing Dublin at the back that season which didn't work well in first leg at Bolton (Johnsen was on the bench that night).

[thick_mike]

George Boateng, one of my all time favourite villa midfielders. Hard as nails.