Holding out for a hero
Wednesday, 06 August 08, 10:07 AM · Comments (89)
I can't hide any longer from the fact that Gareth Barry is going to leave Villa Park after ten terrific years.
He is almost certainly making a very bad career choice and destroying his chances of being England captain, but the Villa will move on without him. This article isn't another Gareth Barry one, but a search for a new hero.
You see for the last eight years Gareth has been my star Villa player. I have always had a Villa hero. The one on the pitch who can in my eyes do no wrong and the one that I will defend against any fan who dares to criticise them.
The player who I believe has a history with the club and I used to believe if you cut will bleed claret and blue blood.
During my 30 years following the mighty Aston Villa I have had a number of favourites and not always ones shared by fellow supporters.
It started with John Gidman, then Gordon 'Sid' Cowans, followed by Gary Williams and Martin Keown. I said they weren't always obvious. 'Sid' then returned before being replaced by Shaun Teale as my hero. The image of Shaun on the floor after scoring that goal against Tranmere is one of my favourite Villa pictures.
Teale was followed by Gareth Southgate, another centre-half who should have become a Villa legend. Mr 'Consistent' Southgate was a player who was better than people seemed to realise. In Euro 1996 against Scotland I defended the Villa ace as two England fans behind me criticised him.
After Southgate left my new hero was young Gareth Barry. From his first game against Arsenal as a seventeen year old Barry was a class act. Yes, I flirted with Juan Pablo Angel during the O'Leary years but Barry has been a hero of mine for many years now, but heroes don't last forever.
So I need a new Villa hero. Problem is the turnover of players over the last few years means that our longest serving players have only been at the club for three years. When will we next have a player who stays for ten seasons? Have I seen my last Testimonial? Who will be my next Teale, Southgate or Cowans?
There are candidates for the position of hero. Ashley Young is probably going to have a sensational season, but then he will probably be off to Man United next season for thirty million.
Martin Laursen could be the one if he wasn't getting on a bit and with dodgy legs. No, I really can't see who the next hero will be, but that doesn't mean he isn't just around the corner.
Do you have an Aston Villa hero or you're a huge Bonnie Tyler fan? Let us know below and if your Aston Villa hero is the same as Damian, the first one to match it will win a Villa t-shirt!Like this blog? Help spread the word: 
89 Comments · Add yours
And Mellberg has gone at the same time..
However i will provide you with a Hero nomination, Carew, if he gets a bit better on the pitch to completely and utterly rubberstamp his place on the pitch he is my hero. A great player, great attitude, loves the villa and wants to nurture the villa youth.
Scandinavians all the way.
Ashley Young without a doubt.
What about Robbie Savage? MON will probably sign him the day before kick off.
To be honest with you, I've never seen Gareth Barry as a hero figure. In my 10-15 watching the Villians my heroes have been Paul McGrath (obviously), Olof Mellberg, Paul Merson and Dion Dublin and Beni Carbone was my hero for a season! Other than these gentlemen, I've never actually thought of anybody else to look up or be my favourite!
Ian Taylor was another one! I just remembered!
Tony Daley was my hero, I used to run for Birchfield Harriers and was quick so he played the way I would have loved to (mostly).
wel i would be looking for a ##£30m hero if he is willing to spend that much on player???
o yh ashley young i my hero
mcgrath, dalian atkinson, the mighty ian taylor, barry, and now.....GABBY, the boy will do anything for us and will progress even more this year, mark my words!!
Andy If you think logically then the answer will come,
Carew, Bouma, Petrov, Luarsen are all aged and not likely to be around for that long. Gabby and young will be dazzled by the bright lights, Maloney still don't think his heart is here.
Harewood will get pi**ed off being on the bench and Zat Knight won't last.
All in all I would have to say it's between Reo Coker and Steve Sidwell, with my money on Sidwell. These are good Villa players without being superstars likely to turn their back on us.
Just my opinion ;D
Paul McGrath. Hero and Legend.
I know itâ€s a little off the subject but I see a former Arsenal hero is being let go by West Ham after only one season. Theyâ€re saying the pay off is £6m and that he cost the club £13m for one year in which he was practically injured for the entire time. It makes me laugh now when I think of all those posts last year giving out about why we wouldnâ€t compete with West Ham to sign him. It all makes sense now and weâ€re not left with egg on our faces. Martin Oâ€Neill might not be the most extravagant spender in the league but heâ€s shred so fingers crossed heâ€ll bring in one or two more. Now thatâ€s a hero.
Perhaps the River Plate Striker Falcao, if the dubius internet links are to be believed.
ML or AY for me are candidates in the current Squad
what about NRC possible next vila captain! always gives 100% and i think hes 1 of the few players who could still be with us in 5 years time!
yorke? atkinson? perhaps if his head was in the right place stan the man
Daley
McGrath
Merson
To me a hero has to be there for at least a couple of years and come to enbody what we stand for - hard to say what links the above - just being bloody good at their job.
Next candidate - for me - Laursen - plays his heart out, a very very good defender and loyal to us
nigel spink on the day we won the uefa cup
when i was young my hero was Des Bremner, fab player would give nothing other than 100%, knew nothing less. And at the 25 year anniversary dinner of that night I met him for real. He was the only signature I wanted. Well there were others but I couln't be arsed with it.
Have bumped into Des with other players occasionally in town and he's great for a chat. His views on Robbie Savage were hilarious.
Since then There was Sid, God & Ian Taylor. Yorkie was also a hero, but he let it down a bit moving to the tossers, Tayls was always a bigger hero anyway.
Mellberg has been closest in recent times and Young may become a hero but like Bonnie I'm still holding out......
Dwight yorke used to be my hero....if ashley stays he will be a legend, so much potential, i just hope we can add more quality players like him Ashleys gonna win the match, ash isgonna win the match
we really need a decent song for him
Martin Laursen for now -- the man is immense -- but Ashley for tomorrow. Both show the kind of commitment and love for club we like to see.
BTW - I know this isn't an article about Barry particularly but do you think MON might be tying up the De La Red deal (i.e. Barry's replacement) whilst in Spain? I know they've been to Spain before but it seems a bit random to go there simply because the testimonial has fallen through. It might be they are waiting on Barry finally leaving before signing him up. Would be good if they came back with De La Red and, say, Miguel for good measure.
Salifou has already achieved cult status here without kicking an opponent (or ball). Marlon is well on his way to becoming a crown favourite off the bench. Neither has quite reached the point where they would be a "Villa Hero" to most fans though. John Carew has massive resence on the pitch, but has yet to convert that to universal adulation. Wee Shaun, well he's a brilliant player, but he's taken a while to settle, that could count against him. Stan, yet to shine, or even glimmer, but this could be his season. If he makes a big contribution this year e will be on many people's list. Thierry Henry, having already become an Arsenal hero would keep him out of the running unless he single handed won us the Prem. The Brothers Brad - too soon to tell. NRC; ah well, what can you say? He's vocal, committed, runs around alot, tackles occasionally. He's a clean living, intelligent man (as are many of our team). I think NRC would get my vote for the moment. Though I can see Sali, JC, Sidders, Curtis, Ash, Stan, Brad, Brad, Wilf - in fact the whole bloody lot of 'em being Heroes.
i think the next hero is Martin Laursen! hes a lion!
and i have a sneeky feeling Brad Friedel will creep his way into hero status at villa.
in the long term, i think maybe Gardner if he progresses.
but its more likely to be Gabby as he is a proper villa fan unlike Barry.
Gabby and Brad Guzan! Will be at Villa for a long time! I Don't think Ashley or Davies will be in a big hurry either! at the Moment Bouma makes it top of my list! ............ just after Salifou
I'm not so sure GB will destroy his career by moving to Liverpool, I suspect however that - as Villa fans - we're better off believing it in order to ease the disappointments of his departure and behaviour.
Also, the fact he's been a "hero" at Villa Park over the past few years says a lot about the average football we've had to watch over the past few seasons.
Barry was, prior to MON coming, pretty much average and seemed to be set to join the likes of Joachim, Hendrie, Moore and Vassell as a player with big potential who never really made it.
Olof Mellberg - my hero for the past 5 years, especially for his anti-brum quotes...what a beaut. A bearded beaut.
Craig Gardner all the way, may not have made it yet but has show glimpses of magic. Remember the goal against Bolton.
He does bleed claret and blue and his determination and aggression says it all.
I truly hope he makes it, but even if he dosn't, for me he is mr aston villa.
I did like barry but always knew the londoner would stitch us up somewhere. shame
Curtis Davies will be an absolute legend in years to come, when he returns to full fitness he'll replace the travesty that is Zat Knight at the heart of the defence and in 3 or 4 seasons he'll be the new villa captain and will replace john Terry as england captain for the 2012 euros.
I think it could be Gabby or Ashley Young. As long as the young lads stick together, i can't see them wanting to play for anyone else. Every time Young scores, he look like all he's ever wanted to do was to score for us and no one else. If we keep him, gabby, sidwell, NRC, Davies, then we'll have a team full of legends!!!!!
the whole 13 players we used to win title in 80-81 were heroes
no team so small will ever do that again.
maybe our small squad has a chance this year :) if we can just get some full backs
in years to come curtis davies will become a villa legend. When he returns to full fitness he'll replace the travesty which is Zat knight and [b]if [/b]we purchase of decent full backs in the team our defence will be one of the best in the league. hhe'll replace JT as england captain by 2012 euros and will burn his name into villa history.
surprised how hardly anyone said yorke, as a kid i loved bosnich, mainly kos i was a keeper lol, tho other the yrs i alwayz had lots of respect for mark delaney, was true villa, and alwayz gave everything in the tackle, was a shame he had a few injuries kos he was one of the prem's most under rated players in my opinion
My hero was always Dwight Yorke, he could do know wrong in my eyes. At least until the day he signed for Man.u. :(
I also had a soft spot for stevie staunton. Think he will go down as being a Liverpool and Villa legend.
As for the present team, i might just put some money on Mr.Guzan being a villa legend over the next 10 years!
Andy Lochead , Brian Little , Sid Cowans, God McGrath.
No one since just 10 years of mediocrity.
MON will be next in line
Gabby! ;D
my villa heroes have been bosnich, daley, angel and my all time favourite Mark Draper, the guy never put a foot wrong in my eyes! For the future hopefully Young, i hope we keep advancing so he wont need to switch clubs to find glory. Isnt Jolean Lescott supposed to be a massive villa fan? Young english, good head on him, he could be a new villa hero why cant we put in a cheeky bid!
getting on abit now but still staming along
andy lockhead
peter withe
paul mcgraw
martin laursen
Hey Taglor Tony Daley was my Favorite aswell, for exactly the same reason as you.
i used to run against Birchfield, but i Ran for Corby AC.
How old are you and what events did you do.
Anyway, i also thought Dean Saunders was great and Dalian Atkinson.
What about Gary Shaw his career cut short too soon and Chris Nichol not many players score all 4 goals in 2 - 2 draw. I was at that game it was something else.
Andy Lockhead
Bruce Rioch
Andy Gray
Denis Mortimer
David Platt
oh one other that really does not need listing...
God himself .... you know who I mean
Peter Crouch's biological dad Ian Ormondroyd. Like a free ticket to the circus.
Gidman
Sid
Shaw
McGrath
Young
For me it has to be Bouma at the moment simply because he's not had anyone to really compete for his position but still puts in a great and solid performance.
Laursen has been great but having only really played one full season he can't really warrant being called a hero - yet!!
Future - Curtis is the best prospect at the moment.
My first hero was Alex Cropley, then Brian Little quickly followed by Gary Shaw. Since then Cowans, McGrath, Saunders, Yorke, Merson. Out of the current team Young will be a great but just ahead is Laursen for pure guts and determination.
Thomas the thunder- bolt Hitzlesperger will always be a favourite but not quite sure he acheived hero status
for me - Young has the potential to be a world class player - The most exciting thing that Villa have had for many years. He comes across as a good model professional as well unlike our old captain
My hero, after Gary Shaw was always the baldy that was Chris Price. Loved the guy, not sure why but always remember him jumping on the fences at the front of the Holte with Platt and nearly falling over. Legend.
One of my Villa heroes has to be Alan Wright one of the most underated fall backs. Was always consistent and never let us down.
Think If we can hold on to Curtis Davies he will be the next Villa legend in 2 or 3 years.
I reckon over the next couple of years the whole squad could be hero's, manager and all. When we won the league and European Cup everyone in that team played for the team first and themselves second. We had everything a team needed,, flair,grit etc etc and the fans loved every player, still do we can remember their names as if it was yesterday. I think thats what MON is building again we've no prima donna's,no freeloaders but a team of players who could get very good together, believe in each other and could achieve a lot. If they do then in 20yrs we'll still be remebering them as heroes every one of them.
And Gareth never a hero to me never turned it on in the big games he'll be picking the splinters out of his backside wondering where it went wrong.
It aint gonna be Petrov, thats for sure.
OK I have to admit I have skimmed through the comments but I can't see Andy Gray anywhere (yes the white one!) - are you lot having a laugh?
Taglor, you surprise me I had you down as a fat bloke.
In the interests of winning a t-shirt, I reckon Damo will go for Paul McGrath with Sid Cowans a close second.
Off topic, but if anyone is listening to commentary on tonight's game, could you please keep me informed. Maybe in the forum would be best. Thanks in anticipation
UP THE VILLA ;)
Tony Morley for me, always has been, always will be.
Dean Saunders, Yorke, and Bosnich will be my first Villa Heroes (started being a believer in '90).
The new hero after Mellberg will have to be Martin Laursen to me, I mean, you can see he is giving it the all every match -no matter what the score is. I love players who wear their heart on the out of their shirts.
Paul Merson and Dion Dublin :)
Tony Daley, Shawn Teale , Ian Taylor , Earl Barrett , God , Deano & Dalian , Spink , Bosnic ....................................................All hero's to me .
Donut - gotta say although he had a short shelf life, that guy in my opinion did more than any other to win us the league then particularly the European. That one season in 1981 - God he might not have had the tricks but I would say for pure exhilaration and quality goals only Ronaldo last season has surpassed his effectiveness as a winger.
tony mc andrew for bredding gardner, gabby, ridgy, cahill and the next crop that are needed to fill out the squad list.
He has given us quality youngstes. some play some have been cashed in.
So.. Tony McAndew.
mcgrath the reason I follow Villa and of course you have to mention mellberg
can i include ron saunders....won us the league (and the euro champs really) , better still i seem to remember he relegated blues and albion when he was there (but someone will put me right i'm sure).
playerwise
stump mccloud
charlie aitken
brian little
angy gray
alan evans
olaf the beard
god of course
incidentally . alan evans was on talksport the other day....he's a driving instructor in the West Country
of the currnt crop i would suggest non of em
Damian will go for Stu Taylor as I think the article is about current players. Excellent backup last year when Carson wasn't playing, never complained, he just got on with it. Now it seems he's relegated to 3rd choice, and I haven't heard any Sore type gripes from him.
Yorke, Taylor, Southgate Ehiogu, Richardson Townsend. Perhaps I was more prone to hero-worship back then.
Super Olof.
Martin Laursen is already a hero.Ashley Young is going to win us many games.
I know it's not really Villa related, but Matt Le Tissier was always my favorite. Oh to have someone like him to follow.
My favorites
Eamon Deacy. How did he ever become a top footballer and he won a championship and European cup. How?
Alex Cropley. Cut short by injury
Gary Penrice. He did score one goal for us.
Chris Nicholl. For that goal against Everton in the League cup final
andy 5759...do you think it's current players and not all time legends then? I get your thinking.
andy (author of the thread)...could you please clear up if you mean current squad or all time please ?
If it is the current squad, and in the interests of winning a rather nice t-shirt, i reckon Damo would go for Ashley Young.
I'll stick with Paul McGrath if it's all time though.
Just been on the forum and Damo reckons (hearsay only) that we are 1-0 down at half time to a team that i couldn't even find on google !
It's lookin' good boys...it's really lookin' good ! (irony !)
UP THE VILLA ;)
Off topic and hardly an exclusive but I've heard that Nick Shorey will sign for us, possibly tomorrow afternoon if they can get it done in time but more likely Friday. Like it or not, it's a signing and wouldn't be a bad one IMO. Not sure how reliable my source is as not had anything from them in the past - we'll wait and see!!!
i think no1 is ian taylor but what about boateng before his outburst was a favourite of mine remember when gazza elbowed him and gazza broke his own arm or when that sh*te steven gerrard two footed him on his knee and should of ended his career but boateng got up to have ago ;D but for up and coming players i think gardner he is great got good attitude for game never backs out of a challenge and he also gave me a escort to the motorway after we beat inter milan 3-0 and he was great to speak to and is villa through and through
bosko balaban lol oj
peter withe
paul mcgrath
and for a while mark bosnich was my hero
James Meagan - he wasn't bad you know, eccentric but the boy had some talent. I remember the last time he played (before he went back to being a grocer) standing in the Holte End and watching him going on these mazey runs past one, two three players from right back across the middle. Noone knew where he was going.
Ah, the nostalgia... thanks guys - plenty of heroes there.
Not putting him in that space but does any one recall the pantomime days of Ian Olney, with the whole Holte shouting at him to get onside? Eventually, it'd register what was being said and he'd turn round and sprint a couple of yards. Well, maybe not 'sprint' Real 'he's behind you' stuff... happy days.
Being a Aussie its gotta be big Mark 'Bozza' Bosnich all the way! He's the reason i started supporting this great club way back then. Had such a presence btween the sticks. Then hated him when he went on 2 utd. Fall from grace was very spectacular. Funny thing is he now back here with a short term contract with the filthy central coast mariners a-league team. Being from newcastle they r our mortal enemies and we play them in season opener next fri nite. Cant wait UTV!!!!
I still love Barry wathing him in a scouse shirt is gonna be horrible
My Dad R.I.P
1. McGrath
2. Merson
3. Dion
4. Der Hammer
5. Barry - even if he is a scouse now... >:(
Now GABBY
Probably would cut his testicles off for the cause and despite not being the most talented... runs and runs and is rewarded with a few goals
its a goal shaun teale the man dubbed john wayne gets of the horse ties it to the post gets out his gun pulls the trigger and fires the bullet what memories i think next holte hero davies or maloney if hes given half the chance
super tommy johnson what a player quality remember his perfect lob 4-4 against leicster
Why has nobody mentioned Curtis Davies?
New Captain?
I think he'l be England Captain one day.
There is always 1 player that has to be the anchor man!! A reason for fans to turn up, sing songs, to talk about...
barry is a big part of the club, with him gone they need to put someone in the spotlight of than MON & the General ...let him soak up some attention.... other than that someone that can consistantly perform for Villa (like Barry!)....so i say "Laursen" put the hand up!!
If they dont get the HERO we will have to buy him....
the General says MON can buy who they want but if thats the fact they would be at Villa by now.... he wouldnt of wanted players coming in close to seasons start, getting settled etc..
the general is a smoke screener... 8)
Savo!!!!
god lets hope the robbie savage rumour is true,,its gathering pace now,as leicester are also sniffing around,,but im sure that when mon gets to speak to him,he will be ours,,hope we get him soon,,he needs time to bond..also has anybody else heard the rumour that mon mite be bidding for dean windass and nicky barmby,,lets hope we get all three,there all brits and shouldnt be to old to play in the CL in 2011
i think i know what system we will play this season..
brad 1
davies laursen knight
gabby petrov coker sidwell young
carew delfounso
bench..brad 2,marlon,maloney,osbourne,gardner,routledge,salifou
that just leaves a few kids and taylor so you can see why we need,savage,windass and barmby...shame ljungberg is swedish
oh my heros,,well its tony morley,,followed by gary williams,alan evans,kenny swain and steve froggat
Some heroes I remember over the years are Gary Shaw and David Platt.
Gary Shaw because I once saw him in Good (No) Hope Hospital when he broke his arm. I say Platt because I was in Spain as a young lad watching Italia 90 and was chuffed when he scored against Belgium. Back then (and probably now) a Villa player scoring in a World Cup was a big deal.
This seasons hero would probably be Big Johnny Carew, as mentioned by a few on here, I love his attitude on the pitch and his willingness to teach Gabby a few tricks. You can tell the team love him by the way they mob him when he scores.
Go on the Big Man!!!
Show my age now....Charie Aitken.......
RON SAUNDERS,,BRIAN LITTLE AND THE MAN HIMSELF P.M
Paul Mcgrath, then Ian Taylor and Then Mighty Olof....have a feeling my next Villa hero will be Laursen and then Ashley if we can keep him here!!
Bobby Thompson
Andy Townsend.
He was my first Villa hero and still the greatest.
A real role-model and great captain. VILLA LEGEND
JPA - never complained and gave 100%.
Mellberg - Because he has a beard and so do I(plus his quote)
Mcgrath - no explanation needed.
Bosnich - he was quality.
The next legend - Carew