Heroes & Villains – Aston Villa
Hero – Paul McGrath (1989 – 96)
Paul McGrath was sold by Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 1989 after being unable to cope with McGrath’s drinking.
United’s loss was Aston Villa’s gain, as the Irishman went on to play over 250 appearances in the next seven years.
In his time at the club, McGrath won the League Cup twice (in 1994 and 1996). He also went to both the 1990 and 1994 World Cup with the Republic of Ireland.
McGrath was nicknamed ‘God’ by Villa fans who also celebrated ‘Paul McGrath Day’ in 2015! His name is still sung by the Villa faithful over 20 years after leaving the club.
Villain – Peter Enckelman (1999 – 2004)
Possibly unfair, I have opted for Peter Enckelman as the Villain for the Villains!
My reasoning is that all Aston Villa fans must have hated him after his momentary slip in a Derby against fierce rivals Birmingham City.
Olaf Mellberg threw the ball back to Enckelman after no other team mate was free to get to his throw-in. His goalkeeper took his eye for the ball for a second and it rolled under his foot and into the back of the net.
Enckelman made 52 appearances in five years for the club but the signing of Peter Schmeichel during his time at Villa Park restricted the amount of first-team action for the Finn.
Sadly for Enckelman, he will always be remembered for that momentary lapse in concentration at St Andrew’s on 16th September 2002.
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