Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: J P Fear 
Date:Monday October 8 2007
Time: 1:00PM
UK time is: 06:52:52
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Blues Captain Not The Bad Guy
Birmingham City captain Liam Ridgewell (shudders, that just sounds wrong doesn't it?) has spoken to the Sunday Mirror about his move and his relief that Villa fans seem to understand why he went. He is also happy that Villa didn't try to make him out to be the bad guy!
He told the paper:
'I've tried really hard to go about my business, do things quietly, and give as much respect as I could to both clubs. I've not really met any fans to get feedback because I've kept myself to myself and stayed in with my missus and little one. We've stuck together and not listened to the radio or read anything. You hear stories about what some players go through when they move clubs from one part of the country to another, never mind across the city, and you wouldn't wish that on anyone.'
'I'd like to think Villa fans saw that I tried week in and week out and put my heart on my sleeve for them in every game I played. I'm doing the same for Birmingham now and I hope I'm getting the same respect from the supporters here. I was so lucky that Martin O'Neill helped me leave Villa on good terms. They understood my situation and that the move was good for both parties. Villa could have made me out to be the bad guy but they didn't and I was so glad they were like that. I needed to move for football reasons, to go somewhere I could play regularly, and I think everybody accepted that.'
Be interesting to see the reception he gets when Blues visit Villa Park. I liked the guy, from reserves to first team, he always gave 100% and only moved because he couldn't secure a regular first team place. It is unfortunate where he had to go (!) but he is a professional footballer and has to go where the offers are. I'll find it difficult to clap a captain of Blues but would certainly never boo the guy - well, maybe if he scored against us!!!!!!
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Your Comments
At the moment we are booing our own players so god knows what sort of reception he'll get!
Jon.H
I won't boo him, he wanted first team football, and he was one of the only players that weren't in the squad and came round the pitch at the end of last season against shef utd and applauded the fans.....fair play. he werent good enough for us so we shouldnt get on his back for not playing for us??? who cares if he plays for small heath. UTV
*Holte*End*Star*
He does look as though he may live in a caravan.
tarzan
Good luck to him - and thanks for the games he played - not sure about all the pens though.
Gordonsleftboot
Hopefully he will keep conceding the pens and Tarzan, that should have been Cave not caravan.
Villan444
good luck to him.
Stig
Well I will boo him. Believe me he is fast becoming a Blues legend (yes after 8 games! - that qualifies when you haven't got much history) & if he scores against us he will be the first to run off in celebration. Good luck to him but for 180 minutes a season he is the enemy. Although I do enjoy winding up Blues with the old "your best player is a Villa reject!"
Let the Revolution B
I will give him a warm reception. Personally I think he will also show the same sort of respect if the unthinkable happens and he actually scores. But Fear you are right in highlighting the fact that we still boo our own players. I put an article on the forum asking if we were crap fans, a few days ago. Saturday showed just how crap we actually are. I was embarrassed by the actions of some supposed Villa fans. To boo a player when he comes on is a disgrace. The sad thing is, these same morons are the ones who ask why we haven't attracted any big names. Maybe it is because we don't deserve it.
voiceoftheholte
Of course he'll get the boo's and jeers, he'll be wearing the royal blue of our hated cross city neighbours. That fact is surely accepted. He knows it, and expects it. I like him, always have, and good luck to him with regards to his move to St Andrews. Anyway, lets not get concerned about booing rival players, lets worry about this sickening and pathetic display of booing our own. Sod Ridgewell, he's a nose, boo him all you like, just lay off the lads wearing the claret and blue.
glensider
Mind you Villa Supporters are a fair minded bunch and will surely cheer him "The Ridge" when his defencive clearence is sliced into the Trinity Road Stand :-)
col8
Or when he upends Ashley Young and gives us the boost of an important spot kick. Yes, Ridge can still have his uses.
glensider
I think booing players be they ex Villa or Villa's own is pathetic and endemic of the modern mindset of many.
Question as Ridgewell is doing so well for Blues and couldn't get near O'Neill's thinking, does that make Blues so bad compared to us, or does it make Davies and Knight such better quality they are worth such monies paid and nearly paid, or has O'Neill got it wrong again.
I go for the first one :)
avfc48
Good luck to the lad. He'll always be a "Villan" in my book whoever he plays for. Lets give him hearty AV reception when we play Blues at home.
villacross
Relax-he won't score. We are going to skewer SHA, as one would skewer a bit of beef destined for the BBQ. We'll clap, Ridge will wave, and then the destruction of our rivals will begin.
gwyllum18
TARZAN IS JUST JEALOUS BECAUSE HE LIVES IN A SHOE!!
Sexy one!
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