Vital Villa Interviews 2012: griffgriff

griffgriff is next for the Vital Villa interview.

1) When did you become a Villa fan and why?

I first became a Villan I'm guessing either 4 or 5 yrs old - which was 1961/62. My Grandad was a season ticket holder and he took me and my cousin and we sat in the stand where the Doug Ellis is now - the one BEFORE the world cup stand (bloody hell i'm getting old!) Don't remember the match, just that I was in total awe of the surroundings and the atmosphere in this Cathedral - I was well and truly hooked!

2) Paul Lambert? Your opinion please?

No opinions on Paul Lambert yet, he has done a good job with Norwich up to now, but with all due respect to Norwich we are a massive club and expectations are high so I hope he can live up to them........A word of caution though, every Scots manager we have had during the 50 years I have been a supporter has been a disaster!........onwards and upwards! lol

3) Best and worst moments of last season?

I didn't enjoy any of last season and think the lowest point of all has to be the news on Stan and the ONLY plus was the sacking of Macbeth! (tragic King)

4) Your opinion of Randy Lerner and the board, can a decent season next season make up for last season?

Think the jury is still out on Randy and his sidekick, I read your mate Swiss Cottages report which said that he was doing ok but I didn't agree with some big points in that report - but then again I have had to learn the harmonica and sit outside Argos with my dog to be able to get enough money for a cup of tea! lol.............It does seem like he is beginning to listen to the supporters though

5) Which player/s should Villa sign this summer?

Difficult to know what players we should go for, we need so many! A back 4 is a must - that Selassie for the Czechs looks ok Wesley Sneijder? lol but what about Honda - the Japanese kid who's playing in Russia, he's a good playmaker and was the best player on the park when England played them a couple of seasons ago?

6) Which player/s should Villa get rid of this summer?

I'd get rid of Collins, Dunne, Hutton and Bannan, and I would give Gabby, Shay Given and a couple of others till Christmas to prove their worth to Aston Villa

7) Favourite current player?

Favourite player currently HAS to be Stan Petrov - not because he's ill but because he is a leader on the pitch, and I would put him up there with the likes of Brian Godfrey, Andy Townshend and King Dennis Mortimer

8) Favourite all time player/s?

My all-time favourite WAS for years Charlie Aitken, then one year for my birthday I got an embossed Villa autograph book, and wanted Charlie to be the first name in it, so I waited patiently after the match for him to come out in his car, and when he did I said 'Charlie, Charlie can I have your autograph?' and he looked up into my beaming face and said in his thick Scottish brogue 'f*** off!' and he drove off. But since then my choice would be Peter Withe with Andy Gray right up there too!

9) What do you expect us to do/finish this season assuming a decent transfer window with £25m or so spent?

With that much to spend I think between 6th and 8th shouldn't be beyond us, and I expect us to do well in the cups too, with possibly a semi-final in one of them........if not a final appearance!

10) You can ask yourself any question you want to about Villa and what is your answer?

Q - why have Villa never been able to kick on after winning the European Cup?
A - lack of ambition by the chairman, who wanted a nice little earner for himself!

11) Just to change the theme slightly, a snap shot of you outside of football, answer or ignore at your leisure:
(based on our WHO ARE YOU thread!!!)

a) Which celebrity/s would you most like to meet and why? think the celebrities that would most like to meet me would be Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Aniston, Megyn Price, Rachel Riley - and all for the obvious reason - because I'm gorgeous! lol

b) Age 55 next Wednesday

c) Location: Rubery

d) Favourite alcoholic drink: Cider (but gave up alcohol 9 months ago)

e) Favourite non-alcoholic drink: Coffee

f) Favourite Film/s: The Truman Show, Life of Brian, O brother where 'art thou?

g) Favourite TV Show/s: 8 out of 10 cats, Mock the Week, Would I Lie To You?, Have I Got News For You, and rarely seen Sean Lock sitcom called 15 Storeys High - brilliant!

h) Music?: Everything from Mozart to Massive Attack

i) Best ever moment in your life: I'm supposed to say the birth of my children here, but in truth it was in Rotterdam 1982 - never ever feel that again!

j) Ambitions: Happiness - and a massive lottery win

k) Wise words: Isn't Assange a stupid name for an Aussie!

now your turn, how to submit an interview: click here

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