Source: Daily_Mail
Vintage Claret? We ask Villa heroes of '82 what they think of O'Neill's side
Martin O'Neill is slowly but surely turning Aston Villa into one of English football's powerhouses. With the side fourth in the Barclays Premier League and a Carling Cup semi-final to come against Blackburn next month, the good times are returning to Villa Park. [LNB]The side is packed with young, hungry English talent and the improvement looks likely to continue. So, what do the Villa heroes who lifted the European Cup in 1982 think of the 2009 side? Neil Moxley found out...[LNB] Glory days: Aston Villa striker Peter Withe and goalkeeping hero Nigel Spink parades the European Cup to fans in 1982[LNB]Nigel SpinkThe hero of the hour during the European Cup final in Rotterdam, when he came on for injured goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer, Spink retired in 2001 after a career spanning two decades and more than 400 league appearances with Villa, West Bromwich and Millwall. He is Steve Bruce's goalkeeping coach at Sunderland having worked with him at Birmingham and Wigan. [LNB]'Sunderland have played them twice this season amd what stuck out for me was the pace in the side. As well as that they have players who can score goals from a lot of different positions and resilience. It is a combination we are all striving for. I think they have a realistic tilt at making the top four. Martin has fielded his strongest team in the Carling Cup, although we were aggrieved to have gone out to them. It would be progress if he lands a trophy. [LNB]'Making the top four would freshen up the league. I think there is a great chance for someone to do it and if it can't be us, then obviously, I'd like it to be Villa.' [LNB]Tony Morley Although ignored by England, Morley was the leading left-sided midfielder in the country. He left Villa in 1983, playing for West Bromwich, in Holland and the United States before retiring in 1990. He coaches school-children in after-school classes and is a summariser on Villa Radio. [LNB]'At the end of the season we will see how good Villa are. That's the time to judge them. People seem to forget that Villa finished second behind Manchester United in 1993.[LNB]'What I like about Villa is the stability under Martin O'Neill and Randy Lerner. I look at all the other top clubs at the moment and they seem to be beset by problems, be it financial, or with the players or with the manager. There's turmoil everywhere, apart from Villa Park. And the owner and manager have to take a great deal of credit for that.'[LNB] Villa thriller: Withe (right) celebrates his winner against Bayern Munich in Rotterdam with strike partner Gary Shaw[LNB]Gary Shaw Crowned the Young European Footballer of the Year, the blond-haired striker had the world at his feet until a knee injury cut short his career in 1988. He works as a coach and has press duties working for Premier League productions. [LNB]'I think Villa are a lot stronger this year and more solid as a unit. But I've got a nagging feeling that they are currently punching above their weight. There is competition for places and the quality of the squad has improved so it's clearly going in the right direction. A lot will depend on what injuries Martin has to deal with.' [LNB]Peter Withe Withe was considered to be in the twilight of his career when Ron Saunders signed him in 1980. It soon turned out that this was the final piece in the jigsaw puzzle. He scored 20 goals during the title-winning season and shinned the winner against Bayern Munich in 1982. After moving to Sheffield United in 1985, he quit the professional game in 1990, managing Wimbledon briefly. He returned to Villa as part of Brian Little's coaching team before managing Thailand and Indonesia. Currently lives in Perth, Western Australia. [LNB]'For me, Gabby Agbonlahor is a big player. He can be frustrating because there are times when he misses chances but he more than makes up with the ones he scores. He's one of those players the opposition never want to leave in a one-on-one situation because he will win any race. He gets into good positions and the service from James Milner and Ashley Young is crucial. [LNB]'I thrived on that kind of service myself and Gabby is profiting. If he stays fit, he could be the difference to Martin.' [LNB]Impressive: James Milner[LNB]Kenny Swain Swain had made his name as a marauding winger before Ron Saunders turned him into one of the best right-backs in the country. He was at his peak during a five-year spell at Villa before ending his career with Nottingham Forest, Portsmouth and Crewe. He works with England's Under 16 and Under 17 sides. [LNB]'If you look at the achievement of that 1982 side, it seems more remarkable with each passing year. I think it's unfair to say Martin O'Neill's side are there yet. For me, Graham Taylor's team of 1990 and Ron Atkinson's of three years' later are the first benchmarks for them to hit. Both of those teams finished second. But they are on the grid with the big boys. And, unlike a few others, their squad is improving. [LNB]'They can cause havoc away from home with their pace. They are a potent force with plenty in the tank. Two of Martin's last signings, for me, have taken them to another level. Stephen Warnock really impressed me at Manchester United the other week. And Richard Dunne is an under-rated defender. I think that with these two additions, the whole squad has raised its game.' [LNB]Ken McNaught Forced to retire at the age of 32 after spells at West Bromwich and Manchester City, McNaught returned to his native Scotland, where he was involved in the management of golf clubs. He lives near Solihull. [LNB]'I don't think there's much doubt that the squad is stronger than it was last season. There's a lot of talk about who wants fourth place and it's up to them to go and grab it. [LNB]'Compared to the people Manchester City and Spurs have to call upon, Villa's squad looks a little light in some areas. A lot could depend on what Martin O'Neill is allowed to do in January. Given some luck with injuries, there's no reason why they can't make that fourth spot.' [LNB] Eye on the ball: Martin O'Neill has watched his side prove themselves as genuine contenders to break into the top four this season[LNB]Gordon Cowans One of the best two-footed midfielders of his generation. He played for Villa in three spells and retired in 1997. He has returned to the club in a coaching capacity and is part of the academy set-up. [LNB]'Villa are becoming a force in the division. There's a good feeling about the place. They are on a great run and when it's like that, you do battle hard to keep it going. You don't want it to end. During our championship-winning year, the trust in each other grew as the season progressed. I can see the same happening with this Villa team. Obviously, they have done nothing yet and I'm sure the gaffer will be telling them that.' [LNB]Des Bremner The heart of Villa's midfield. After leaving the club, he joined rivals Birmingham, staying for five years. He works as a financial advisor. [LNB]'Martin O'Neill has quietly added to the core of the team, strengthened it, year-on-year,' he said. 'It has grown stronger as a unit. It's been a gradual progression and there is a real opportunity for someone to break into that elite, given what is happening at Anfield at the moment. [LNB]'For me, the bonus of the season so far has been the switch that James Milner has made inside. He clearly has great legs and a fantastic work ethic. I've also noticed that he is prepared to go beyond the strikers and that causes big headaches for defenders. I think it's clear, too, that Richard Dunne wants to prove a point to Manchester City. Villa are stronger and more competitive than they have been for a number of years.'[LNB] Arsenal v ASTON VILLA: Martin O'Neill hopeful on Emile Heskey THE MIDLANDER: The good, the bad and the ugly: 2009 Midlands' awardsO'Neill hopes Villa don't come down with the Christmas decorations - againASTON VILLA FC
