A Tribute to Gareth Barry

Tomorrow sees us take on Everton in the most played top flight game in England. Incredibly we have played each 196 times in the top division.

It is a game we badly need to win, but against an inform Everton team and a manager who always seems to beat us then it is going to be hard. Whatever happens in the game I will start it by applauding the return of one of the few Villa legends of the 21st Century. We welcome back Gareth Barry, a player who gave his all for Aston Villa and deserves all the medals and money that have come his way at Manchester City.

There is no doubt that Gareth's heart is still firmly at Villa Park. When he eventually hangs up his boots he will be remembered in the football world firstly as a Villa man. So please all Villa fans let's give Gareth a really good greeting before kickoff tomorrow and show him that Villa fans will always love him. Let's finally say thank you for the ten fantastic years of service he gave us. If it wasn't for Gareth Villa would probably have been relegated in the season before Martin O'Neill took over.

I was a fan of Gareth within minutes of his home debut in 1998. He was just 17 and picked to play against champions Arsenal. He played centre-back that day facing Ian Wright, Overmars, Anelka and co. The Arsenal forwards never got a kick, Villa won one-nil (a Yorkie penalty) and Barry was the calmest and coolest player on the pitch. He glided around the pitch and everyone could tell that he was a very special talent. Before he turned 18 he was being labelled as FVC ('Future Villa Captain'). Although many of us thought it should also be 'Future England Captain'. For the next 10 seasons Gareth was the first name on the Villa team-sheet and which ever left-sided position he played in he was the standout player.

Personally, I feel that Gareth should now have over 100 England caps. He only has 53 because Sven never picked him despite his song at Villa being 'Barry for England' and that Barry could play in too many positions. For me Gareth Barry could have been one of the all-time great Centre Backs. His composure, passing and reading of the game was immense. Villa needed him to boss midfield and have probably never replaced him, but he was best at the back.

So thank you again Gareth for ten excellent Villa years. Oh and thank you for that cracking own goal last year in the cup right in front of the travelling  Villa fans.

My prediction tomorrow is a very close game, maybe 2-2 but hopefully 3-2 to the Villa boys.

Up the Villa

    

Villa to Earn their Spurs

On Sunday Villa have the chance to start to really establish themselves agin as a 'Top Half of the Table' team by gaining three points. I just have a feeling it might happen even though I would gladly take a draw now if you offered it me. So why am I not expecting another Tottenham thumping?

Well, I think the defence is finally getting a 'mean' streak and hopefully with the return of Benteke we will score at least once. I know they walloped us in the cup, but what would have happened if the ref had have seen the 'pulling of pants down' incident. 

Hopefully a converted penalty would have followed and forty minutes to play against a 10 man Spurs team with the scores level. At least we can now see the funny side but it was probably the worst decision I have seen at Villa Park in my 33 years. Well, apart from appointing Billy McNeil in 1986 maybe!

So my Sunday prediction is 2-0 to the Villa. Yes, a home clean sheet. It could happen. Although I expect us defend for much of the game.

Memory Match 2 - Aston Villa 6 Everton 2 (November 1989)   

In 33 years watching from the Trinity I can still count on fingers of one hand the number of times I have seen the Villans score six or more. So this game is one that has always been a favourite. 

It was this time of year and a Graham Taylor team who had narrowly avoided relegation six months ago suddenly made the whole nation sit up and take notice. Live on ITV on a Sunday afternoon the Villa were simply sensational. The score doesn't even do the performance justice as two Everton goals came right at the end and one of those Paul McGrath scored for them.

This was the match which finally rocketed David Platt into the England team and booked him a place in the 1990 World Cup squad. A World Cup that was to turn Platty into and England legend thanks to his sensationally winner against Belgium.

On that Sunday afternoon the telepathy between 'Sid' Cowans and Platty just mesmerised the Toffee men. Everton had started the day expecting a win to take them top of the league against a Villa side who had climbed to 7th place. But that Villa were just too hot to handle on the 5th of November. Two goals from Platt, a pair from Ian Olney (who was an unsung hero), one from Sid and a header from the only foreigner on the pitch Kent Neilsen. World class goalie Neville Southall could only watch. Villa were on the march and back to being the best in the land. 

The 80's had seen the Villa start as the best in England, become the best in Europe, slump to the 2nd Division and now under Graham Taylor rise back to the top. It is never dull being a Villa fan. 

This memorable game was probably the reason that Graham Taylor was chosen as the next England manager. Did the Villa fans 'Not like that...'. 

Villa finally finished runners-up to Liverpool that season (1989/90) after leading the league for much of the season. Maybe the record purchase of Tony Cascarino was a mistake, but we all applauded it at the time. What would have happened if we would have stuck with Ian Olney?        

Up the Villa