Vital Villa Interviews 2012: ALBIE1897

ALBIE1897 is next for the Vital Villa interview.

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

1954-55, I hadn`t started school, my Dad was a big Villa Fan, he was born in Aston. My first game was around 1959, we were in the Witton Lane stand as it was known then, I got passed over the fans heads to the front where all the young kids stood.

2) Paul Lambert? Your opinion please?

I`m really optimistic about Paul Lambert, we have had so many bad managers over the years that I started losing a bit of hope last year, I really think that this could be the start of something good.

3) Best and worst moments of last season?

Worst moment was the news of Stan`s illness, the rest of the dross we put up with last season paled in comparison to the news of Stan, get well soon. The best? Beating Chelsea was the only bright spot of a very, very dull season.

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

After the Doug Ellis years, Randy Lerner was like a breath of fresh air when he arrived. He made some mistakes, who doesn`t ?, employing Alex McLeish was the obvious one, but he tried to rectify it with the appointment of Paul Lambert. I still think he is one of the better chairmen around.

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

I would love to see Daniel Sturridge at Villa Park, think he would be great alongside Darren Bent, probably too expensive for us at this moment. We need a complete new defence and a proper leader on the pitch.

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

The defence!!!

7) Favourite current player?

For the first time since 1958 onwards,I cannot think of one player that I can call my favourite, although, Gary Gardner, Darren Bent, Makoun or even Stephen Ireland have the potential to be proper players over the next few years.

8) Favourite all time player/s?

As got to be Gerry Hitchens, use to score for fun, and apparently, was a real gentleman. Still a legend in Italy. Favourite all time defender as to be Paul McGrath, the best reader of a game I have seen in a Villa shirt.

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

I`m going to be realistic and hopefully patient, a top half finish in the league and maybe fifth round in the cups would be progress. I really want to see a Villa team play once again with a bit of panache.

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

Q- Why have I stuck with Villa through thick and thin since circa 1955?

A- The story of the Villa is probably the most interesting in the world of football, the joy you feel when they are successful is unbelievable.

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? Not into celebrities, I cannot understand the concept of putting people on a pedestal only to knock them off again. The sports person I would like to meet, would be Tony Jacklin, as I am a really keen golfer. I would like to ask him how he felt taking on the worlds best when, quite frankly, British golfers were crap.

b) Age Hopefully a young 61

c) Location: Bromsgrove, originally a Brummie.

d) Favourite alcoholic drink: Old Pulteney single malt whisky, amazing.

e) Favourite non-alcoholic drink: Carte Noire filtered coffee.

f) Favourite Film/s: Gladiator, Shawshank Redemption, Saving Private Ryan and the original Dennis the Menace, I almost pee`d myself the first time I watched it.

g) Favourite TV Show/s: Father Ted, MOTD, hopefully Villa will be on more often instead of a few seconds at the end, anything without celebrity in the title!

h) Music?: Most types other than Country and Western ( going down the road, ye ye, yuck more like)

i) Best ever moment in your life: Marrying my wonderful wife and Villa winning the European Cup.

j) Ambitions: To see all my grandchildren grow up to be happy and healthy.

k) Wise words: Just remember, there`s a right way and a wrong way to do everything, and the wrong way is to keep trying to make everybody else do it the right way.- Colonel Potter in M*A*S*H

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

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