Lucas Digne (going to PSG)

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I thought his days were numbered two years ago, he came back stronger, same again last around early January and again this season he’s better again. Thank you Digne, you’ve been amazing and a brilliant signing. I could only wish this fella all the very best for his next chapter.

Good luck Lucas.

Spot on. Nothing but respect for the fella. Shame we never had a song for him. He fully deserved to know how much we appreciated him. Top pro and the best crosser of a ball we've had at Villa Park for a very long time.

[ADVILLAFAN]

First Villa teams I really remember where at the start of the Premier League era. Barrett and Staunton were very good.

Stan "The Wham" Lynn doesn't seem to have been mentioned yet.

[Dogtanian]

Mark Delaney was a very good right back for us, when he wasn't  injured.

I liked Delaney, too.

[ldavfc4eva]

Bit gutted about Luca yesterday, but today fell more positive about his move.

For him, it’s a return home, and he will be in a class side too, lesser league so may help prolong his career.

For us, if it’s £8-10m then that’s a fair price, and must at least net him off in terms of profit/loss - possible small profit?

Good chunk of wages off the bill, and also reduces the squad age.

As others have said, with full backs their legs go eventually- and at 33 that could be this season.

So sad he is going as he must be a massively positive and popular member of the squad and a character- but we can be clever and recruit his equal I am sure.

Thanks for the memories Luca …. Another one!!!

[rob_bridge]

Mark Delaney was a very good right back for us, when he wasn't  injured.

I liked Delaney, too.

Delaney good for us. Think Cash is better. Swain in the mix. Too young for Gidman

[Mister E]

Was just telling my boy about Gidman, the best attacking full-back I ever saw (for us). And then there was Swain...
... Williams and Gibson were both great left-backs - Gibson was my favourite.

Yes, definitely the aforementioned, for me.
Staunton, Barrett, Cash, Wright and Bouma get honourable mentions.

[pauliewalnuts]

I used to love John Gidman as a kid.

I read Lee Child once talking about how a relative took him to his first Villa game and we had a sort of swashbuckling feel to us, almost piratical.

That really resonated because that is exactly how I felt as a kid in the 70s going to matches.

John Gidman was definitely one of the players who most gave off that vibe.

I should add, I was about 10 at the time so this was in no way based on any interpretation of the quality of his play. I just thought he - and we - were really cool.

[eamonn]

Is "piratical" the adjective? Cool! Wish Bad English was here to appreciate/denounce it accordingly.

[eye digress]

Lucas, pourquoi ?

Reminded me of the Forest peno, in that there was no danger, then suddenly there was!

[malckennedy]

One benefit of losing Lucas is that we won’t have to put up with commentators and pundits who continually and, almost without exception, mispronounce his surname. The irritating, unprofessional wankers!

[Allan C]

It’s between him and Stan for the best left back I’ve seen at Villa. Sad to see him go but it’s probably best for all parties.

A very nice chap by all accounts too, will get a great reception if he ever comes back to Villa Park.

Charlie Aitken for me.

Aitken for me too but in the modern era it’s definitely Digne by quite a fair margin

[SaddVillan]

Are the full-back positions the most underwhelming "best ever" choices in Villa's history?

Yes, but right back is even slimmer pickings than left back.

Mark Delaney

[martin o`who??]

I used to love John Gidman as a kid.

I read Lee Child once talking about how a relative took him to his first Villa game and we had a sort of swashbuckling feel to us, almost piratical.

That really resonated because that is exactly how I felt as a kid in the 70s going to matches.

John Gidman was definitely one of the players who most gave off that vibe.

I should add, I was about 10 at the time so this was in no way based on any interpretation of the quality of his play. I just thought he - and we - were really cool.

John Gidman was years ahead of his time and still the best crosser of a ball on the run I've ever seen. Some bloke called Bill Shankly said the worst mistake of his managerial career was letting John Gidman go on a free transfer to Aston Villa.

[eamonn]

Are the full-back positions the most underwhelming "best ever" choices in Villa's history?

Yes, but right back is even slimmer pickings than left back.

Mark Delaney

A good player cut down in his prime by Bocanegra but is that lanky streak of piss the best we can offer after 151 years? C'mon y'know.

[kippaxvilla2]

Lucas might be staying with us after all.