Vital Villa Interviews 2012: StennyVilla

StennyVilla is next for the Vital Villa interview.

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

Since childhood. My grandfather (born in 1854 and I therefore never knew) was a leading confectioner who regularly supplied the Villa boardroom with its matchday spread in Villa's early years through to the 1920's. He also presented a huge christmas cake to future British PM Neville Chamberlain when he was Mayor of Birmingham in 1915 - for some of the troops in the First World War. My Mum used to walk around the pitch as a girl in the 1920s selling a tray of sweets and goodies. That was all enough for me - and the fact that Villa Park was immense and the first ground I ever went on, other than Bloomfield Road, Blackpool, my hometown. It also helped that the third game I ever saw, and my first Villa game was a 4 0 away win at Blackpool in 1962-3.

2) Paul Lambert? Your opinion please?

Not my first choice, but on my list of wants. Like the venerable Fear, I would have loved Ian Holloway, and liked Martinez too - but I know there are always question marks against anyone. As it is, with all the managerial merry-go - round, we should be delighted to get him. His gruff and brief interview style, may be just that, and this may look better when he gets closer for Villa fans now he is our man. What matters is his impact on the pitch, and he, like the players, starts with a clean sheet, but with my confidence he can deliver.

3) Best and worst moments of last season?

As a match the 0 0 draw at Wigan when the away support finally gave vent to its frustrations was memorable.The first half at Blackburn just one week later was a positive contrast. Mostly, everything was just truly forgettable.

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

Still has my support, but he has limited potential to take us to the heights given the stupid financial imperatives of today's game.

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

A new Stan, a new Dwight, a new Morley, a new God, a new Laursen, and a new Sid would do for starters. Abroad seems better value providing you can get decent characters and commitment. Scandinavians have served us well in the past

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

All the ones everyone says - Hutton, Dunne, Warnock et al. However, all the youth should be given a chance to show what they can do with a better set up around them.

7) Favourite current player?

Stan has been a great captain and is a top bloke.

8) Favourite all time player/s?

See above under new signings required. However, my favourite all time player is a split between God, Dwight, and Brian Godfrey who was the Lionheart behind the start of our rise back from the dead (the old 3rd Division) and had a galvanising influence on the pitch and on the fans

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

Premier Mid-table, but playing better football and changing our expectations and image.
FA Cup: Win it if we get lucky
Carling: Win it if we get lucky

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

I'd like to get in the Tardis and ask when did Villa last win the FA Cup.
Answer - 2013

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? The Boss (Bruce), Eddie Izzard, Rory Stewart (charismatic MP for the Borders who has walked across Afghanistan, been Governor in Iraq etc etc etc ), Tony Benn, and Brian Godfrey to thank him if he was still here.

b) Age 59

c) Location: Blackpool

d) Favourite alcoholic drink: Doris's 90th Birthday Ale (from the Crown at Hesket Newmarket)

e) Favourite non-alcoholic drink: I like to drink in the atmosphere at Villa Park when it's buzzing for a mid-week game that matters, under the lights.

f) Favourite Film/s: DVD of Villa's 1 0 win in Rotterdam ( I was lucky enough to be there)

g) Favourite TV Show/s: Would I Lie to You, Gavin and Stacey, The Street (not Coronation - the series on last year).

h) Music?: Kinks, Leonard Cohen, Bruce, Dylan, Beck Goldsmith, Amy Macdonald, and Holte End chants of yesteryear.

i) Best ever moment in your life: Usual family highspots

j) Ambitions: To get to see games on all 92 Current League grounds and all 42 Scottish grounds (an impossible task for me it seems - currently stuck on about 75, but different new grounds visited always get balanced by new ones opening). Most have been just watching Villa (the advantage of our descent to the depths) along with my support of Stenhousemuir which has taken me to around 30 Scottish grounds to date. I have also watched the steady rise of the Cod Army through to the dizzy heights of the Football League this season. Other ambitions are to continue walking the Lakeland Fells and Dales forever.

k) Wise words: Knowledge, intelligence, wizard, Ernie.

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

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