The latest in our My Favourite XI series, and time for site editor Chris Nee to deliver his eleven-plus-five-subs. ‘Favourite’, of course, is a different word to ‘best’. These are players who made a personal impact for one reason or another, and for many of us that’s far more important.
Beyond this post, we’ll be asking the rest of the TFT team for their submissions and opening it out to guest authors. If you want to tell us all about your Favourite XI, simply pop an email to blog[at]twofootedtackle.com - chances are we’d be delighted to have you on board.
Previous Favourite XI: Gary Andrews
Next Favourite XI: Simon Head
Goalkeeper: Mark Bosnich (Retired)
Yes, really. Forget Manchester United (twice), Chelsea, Sophie Anderton and below-par punditry, Mark Bosnich is a hero. Only Aston Villa fans will ever really understand what a good goalkeeper he was, and through the 1990s he offered madcap idiocy, brilliant shot-stopping, the best save I’ve ever seen and appalling kicking. Most importantly, he was the central figure in my favourite match of all time, Villa’s against-the-odds Coca-Cola Cup semi-final victory over Tranmere Rovers in 1994.
Right-back: Neil Young (Retired)
I saw as much of AFC Bournemouth as I did Villa when I was growing up, and throughout much of that Neil Young was a fixture at right back. His brother Luke later joined Villa, but it’s Neil who I remember as a solid, reliable full back with plenty of ability helping out the midfield. I also remember him giving Wycombe Wanderers’ left winger the v-sign with the Cherries 2-0 up at Dean Court. Magic moments.
Left-back: Paolo Maldini (Retired)
I’d happily follow in Gary’s footsteps and select Maldini in the centre, but it seems a shame to choose between him and the men I’ve selected in the middle. Maldini was classy, graceful and unrelentingly brilliant, playing his entire career for one of the biggest clubs in the world and never once giving less than his all for the club he loves. Oh, and I played in his boots for a while (from a TV ad - long story).
Centre-back: Paul McGrath (Retired)
Paul McGrath is known simply as ‘God’ around these parts. The best defender I’ve ever seen in the flesh, and a man whose reading of the game and ability to snuff out attacks at the flick of a boot will never be bettered at Villa Park. He was a genius, and with any true genius comes flaws - McGrath has those in abundance, and it’s heartbreaking to see the turns his life has taken over the years. A player that good is worth rooting for in life too.
Centre-back: Olof Mellberg (Olimpiacos)
When Olly Mellberg left Villa, he handed out over 3,000 replica shirts at Upton Park to thank supporters for their…er…support. It was a magnficent gesture that touched a nerve with a hideously hungover fan like myself. That game also marked the end of Gareth Barry’s Villa career and the reaction of fans couldn’t have been more different. Mellberg, the second ever name I got on a shirt, remains idolised, fondly remembered for being good when Villa were not. He gave everything for the team and, most importantly, he had a great beard.
Midfield: David Beckham (LA Galaxy)
Beckham is an enigma. He’s both brilliant and limited, both under-rated and over-rated. He’s loved and hated. I am unashamedly ‘pro-Beckham’. He was, at his best, a world-class passer of the ball with the work ethic to match. He scored great goals in big matches and he has - contrary to popular opinion - a true dedication to the game. His adventures with LA Galaxy have sullied his perception somewhat, but I see no reason to let that taint the good times. England won’t produce a better captain for a generation.
Midfield: Jamie Byatt (Tooting & Mitcham United)
There’s not too much to be said about Busy. He’s a really important player for Tooting and his return from injury has boosted them no end recently. That injury really brought home to me the real world of non-league football, in which players who get injured not only lose out on football, but work. Above all that, he’s a lovely guy.
Midfield: Xavi (Barcelona)
This one doesn’t need explanation. Xavi is quite simply the best controlling midfielder in the world at the moment, and undoubtedly the best I’ve ever seen. Phenomenon, and a genuine joy to watch.
Forward: Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli)
When Serie A returned to our screens on Five a little while ago, Napoli came back with it. Ever since then, Zekey Lavezzi has been a real highlight of watching my beloved Partenopei. He scores goals, he dribbles exceptionally well, he links up superbly with his team-mates and he’s a little bit moody. For Napoli, there are other important players - Edinson Cavani scores for fun, while Marek Hamsik pulls the strings - but Lavezzi makes them exciting and unpredictable.
Forward: Diego Maradona (Retired)
What vague following I do of Boca Juniors, it’s all because of El Diego - being a Neapolitan icon helps too, of course. I predict that few Favourite XIs in this series will not contain the man the author considers to be the best player in the history of football; for me, that’s Maradona. He’s got it all: outrageous talent, incredible charisma (i.e. he’s mad), fundamental character flaws and a career in which he became one of the few who actually reached the heights predicted of him.
Striker: Steve Fletcher (AFC Bournemouth)
If Neil Young’s inclusion might be surprising to even Bournemouth fans who know me, Steve Fletcher’s will not. Fletch is a Cherries legend, with a close link to every high and low at the club for most of my football-viewing life. He’s Bournemouth through and through these days, and the fans love him in return. He’s even got a stand named after him. Super Fletch.
Substitutes:
Shaun Teale (Retired)
Alongside McGrath, Teale was a beast. Quite apart from his footballing quality, he was absolutely hard as nails and bled - literally, sometimes - for the Villa cause. Like Bosnich, he played a role in the best game I’ve ever been to (v Tranmere) and evokes memories of a wonderful time to be a Villa fan and an almost unbeatable back four.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
He’s the best in the world now, and he could be one of the best ever. He’s clearly got the skills, but it’s his balance, grace and vision that really sets him apart from the rest. He loses out on this XI only because Maradona, his compatriot and comparison point, has won the World Cup and is a bit of a loon. If Messi ever comes close to achieving the former, Diego might just be knocked off his pedestal.
Paul Vines (Bromley)
Throughout my first couple of years watching Tooting, it was Vines who stood out as the man who had a little bit of star quality about him, albeit quality that showed itself far too inconsistently. Currently on loan at Kingstonian, Vines left Imperial Fields at the end of last season and his goalscoring has been missed badly so far. Hopefully Sol Pinnock can fill that void.
Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors)
Goalscorer. Hero. Icon.
Kevin Richardson (Retired)
See ‘Shaun Teale’. Brilliant, hard-working and tough midfielder, Villa captain through my formative supporting years and a second-to-none moustache. An under-appreciated Villa man.
Tags: David Beckham, Diego Maradona, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Jamie Byatt, Kevin Richardson, Lionel Messi, Mark Bosnich, Martin Palermo, Neil Young, Olof Mellberg, Paolo Maldini, Paul McGrath, Paul Vines, Shaun Teale, Steve Fletcher, Xavi
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i totally disagree with beckham for many reasons but Messi has one big drawback to be in the greatest ever; Barca.
While we cherish players who stay at clubs their whole career, the style and greatness of Barca will always lead to question; ‘Can Leo ever have success outside the club?’
If he never equals his sucess at Barca with the national team or another club, the question is valid.
For all his faults, Crissy Ronaldo has played in three leagues now and dont rather well Id say.
I think his individualistic style help him in this way.
Messi has been playing tikataka passing since he was 12; he knows no other way.
Im not suggesting that Messi cant be great at Chelsea or Inter, just that he will never be THIS great outside of the familiar rhythms and movements that have been ingrained since he was a child.
You could get quality teammates and world class coach elsewhere but Im not sure an other teams style would get the best out of him (Arsenal would come closest.)
but i digress….