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There have been many great players to play at Villa Park, but who is the greatest?
Aston Villa is a club with a rich history, and with such a long history of success in several different eras, will come several different players that contributed or stood out to fans as being the best talent they saw play. This begs the question, who is the best player to have ever put on the famous claret and blue shirt in the West Midlands?
In terms of history, it doesn’t get more historic than the year 1982 for Villa fans. A team riddled with quality from head to toe. Included in this squad were the likes of Gordon Cowans, Dennis Mortimer, Tony Morley, Allan Evans and Peter Withe. With all having claims for being deemed the greatest player to have ever played for the club.
“Oh, it must be…it is! Peter Withe”
A quote which is synonymous with Aston Villa culture. Withe’s goal against Bayern Munich in 1982 is arguably the most important goal ever scored in claret and blue. On top of that, he scored 73 more goals in 182 appearances.
Over the years a big, imposing striker at Villa Park has been well received and Withe is arguably the template for this. His 20 goals (joint top scorer) in the 1980-81 season also ensured the West Midlands side the First Division title that season with the forward being imperative to this squad.
Withe described leaving Villa as the “biggest wrench of my career”. The combination of passion and ability has secured his place as a legend amongst the fans.
Gordon Cowans debuted for the club at the age of 17 in 1976. He quickly became a regular in the first team and was a part of the 1977 League Cup winning squad against Everton.
The midfielder was voted the 1979 PFA Young Player of the Year, further outlining his immense talent and ability from an early age.
He had three spells at Villa accumulating 453 appearances and 49 goals for them. His honours included a First Division title in 1980-81, the European Cup in 1982 and the European Super Cup in 1983.
These players provide priceless history to Aston Villa and are the most decorated individuals to have put on the shirt, but are either of them or their teammates the greatest to play for the club?
The argument would not be complete if you failed to mention the player often regarded as ‘God’ by the fanbase. Paul McGrath signed for Villa in August 1989. In his first season, the side came close to winning the league but fell just short to Manchester United.
In the following season, the Villans struggled as Graham Taylor left and they fought against relegation, however, McGrath continued to impress. In the inaugural Premier League season (1992-93) under Ron Atkinson, Villa would once again finish second.
In this season, McGrath was awarded the PFA Player of the Year award for his performances in this squad. His honours in a Villa shirt didn’t stop there; winning the League Cup in both 1993-94 and 1996-97. He was a player riddled with knee injuries and would often struggle to walk after games. However, from his performances and the trophies he brought to Villa Park, McGrath will forever be referred to as ‘God’ by Villa fans.
The modern era for Aston Villa has been less decorated for the West Midlands outfit. Despite reaching several finals they have failed to bring back anything to add to the trophy cabinet in major cup competitions.
A player however that has stood out and could likely be added to the conversation for greatest ever player is none other than the current club captain, Jack Grealish.
On the 2nd March 2019, Villa were 13th in the Championship and eight points off the Play-Off spots with Grealish returning back from injury. The club then went on an inspiring ten-game winning streak with the midfielder installed as the captain for these games.
He led them to the Play-Offs and the rest is history. His heroics don’t stop there, often regarded as a one-man team in the 2019/20 season the 25-year-old’s goal against West Ham on the dramatic final day of the season ensured their Premier League safety for another year.
Fast forward to the present day, he is surrounded by genuine quality and is enjoying a historic year. A Play-Off final trophy isn’t as valuable as a European trophy, however, reinstating Aston Villa as a Premier League club is priceless for fans.
They have Jack Grealish, a fan himself, to thank for it. Trophies have eluded Grealish thus far as he has experienced disappointment in both an FA Cup final and a League Cup final. However, with his long-term future looking like it is at Villa Park and the team seemingly in good shape moving forward, there is plenty of time.
The list of possibilities for the greatest of all time is endless; Dennis Mortimer, Olof Mellberg, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Jonny Dixon, Tom ‘Pongo’ Waring, William ‘Billy’ Walker and so on.
Ultimately, the argument is subjective due to fans largely watching different eras. Although ability-wise, Grealish is a once in a generational talent and a genuine superstar, if he adds silverware to his already legendary Aston Villa career, he will have a strong case to be deemed the greatest player to have ever put on the claret and blue shirt.
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