Memries of Villa

[grafikhaus]

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Memries of Villa

Going way back to 1893, we have met Villa 130 times in all competitions.

Recent-ish results:


Full list

The most recent meeting between The Blades and The Villains came on January 4th, 2014 in the Third Round of the FA Cup at Villa Park. Goals from Jamie Murphy and Ryan Flynn secured a 2-1 win in a Cup run that would eventually end in defeat against Hull City in the semi-final.

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http://sheffield-central.com/a5.htm​

Three years earlier – on 8th January 2011, Villa – managed by Gérard Houllier - won 3-1 at Bramall Lane, again in the Third Round of the FA Cup. Villa’s first goal was scored by Kyle Walker (on loan from Spurs). Also featuring for Villa were Ashley Young, Barry Bannan, Brad Friedel and Mark Albrighton.

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In the Premier League, we met Villa on 11th December 2006. The game ended in a 2-2 draw with our goals coming from Stephen Quinn and Danny Webber.

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The return match was played with just two games remaining of our ill-fated 2006-07 season in the Premier League – and with 47,551 fans celebrating Villa’s 25th Anniversary of winning the European Cup – United were overwhelmed 3-0 with goals from Agbonlahor, Ashley Young and Patrick Berger. Eight days later, the Blades lost 1-2 to Wigan and our brief tenure in the Premier League was over.

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[grafikhaus]

On 8th January 2005 Neil Warnock’s Blades met Villa yet again in the Third Round of the FA Cup at Bramall Lane. Second-tier United beat Premier League Villa 3-1 with a goal on his debut from Danny Cullip and a brace from Andy Liddell.

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On 28th January 1996 we met Villa again in the FA Cup, but this time in the fourth round. A poor Bramall Lane crowd of just 18,749 saw the Blades lose 0-1.

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On 27th January 1993, the teams met in the Premier League at Villa Park. We lost 1-3 with our goal coming from Deane and Villa’s scorers included Paul McGrath and Chris Kamara.

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As recently as the 1987-88 season, both the Blades and Villa were in the third tier. On 26th September we played out a 1-1 draw in the League at Villa Park in front of a crowd of just 14,761. The return game on Boxing Day 1987 also finished 1-1 and drew a crowd of 15,809.

In the 1970-71 season, the Blades finished runners-up to Leicester City in the Second Division to win promotion back to the top flight. Meanwhile, Villa finished fourth in the Third Division.

On 25th January, 1975 I made my first visit to Villa Park in a fourth-round FA Cup game. We lost 1-4 but this season finished in spectacular fashion, with the Blades narrowly missing out on a place in Europe.

My personal favourite memory of Villa came in an evening match at Hillsborough on 23rd April 1975. Villa were going for promotion from the Second Division back to the top flight (they finished runners-up to Manchester United). The visitors brought thousands of fans in the 23,605 crowd (Wednesday were rock-bottom, on their way back to the third tier, fourteen points adrift and their home crowds were pitiful). I stood on the kop – at least 90% Villa fans and, as the final whistle went, Villa’s fans staged a mass pitch invasion to celebrate their 4-0 win and promotion. Naturally, I joined in and, making my way band onto the centre spot, had a piss. It would have been rude not to .

In Villa’s team that night was Chico Hamilton.

Men to watch

After a slow start, manager Steve Bruce has seen his team climb the table and they sit in 5th place on equal points with the Blades (37).


Jack Grealish, Conor Hourihane and Albert Adomah

Top scorers (2017-18)

Albert Adomah (11 goals)

Conor Hourihane (5 goals)

Scott Hogan (3 goals)

Villa are currently in 7th place in terms of form over the last six games with eleven points from 18. United are in 22nd place with four points from the last 18. Source.

To date, our League results against Villa read:

Home: P: 61 W: 27 D: 17 L: 17 F: 113 A: 87

Away: P: 61 W: 8 D: 12 L: 41 F: 55 A: 148

 

[I should coco]

As recently as the 1987-88 season, both the Blades and Villa were in the third tier. On 26th September we played out a 1-1 draw in the League at Villa Park in front of a crowd of just 14,761. The return game on Boxing Day 1987 also finished 1-1 and drew a crowd of 15,809

Something wrong with your dates, I think - Silent Blade or Revolution ?

Villa went down in 87 and played 87/88 in the 3rd. We went down in 88 and played 88/89 in the third, so we never met.

We did draw at Villa Park in the 2nd as I was there. Colin Morris pen IIRC.

 

[YorkBlade]

My favourite in recent memory was a home match. The Andy Liddell 3-1 win at the Lane with (I think) Alan Wright playing centre-back and man marking that useless lump Carlton Cole, good times!

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Most of my family are Villa supporters, and I’ve mentioned before that the March 1991 2-1 win was my first game (featuring Chris Wilder, numerous Villa players that would go on to play for us, and a streaker). Would have also gone to the 2-0 win and 2-0 loss at home in the following year, plus the grim 1-0 loss on my first trip to Villa Park (all I remember is the stick Bosnich got from us, and Whittingham’s winner in front of us).

Other memories:

• The coldest game in the Cup where diving Milosevic was pelted with snowballs
• Andy Liddell’s greatest game of his career
• Stephen Quinn’s first goal for us (?)
• The horror show in our penultimate Prem game, where we’d seen the Fulham-Liverpool result and pre-match could sense the effects. Polite applause for Gordon Cowans before kickoff.
• Flynnaldo!

 

[Silent Blade]

Something wrong with your dates, I think - Silent Blade or Revolution ?

Villa went down in 87 and played 87/88 in the 3rd. We went down in 88 and played 88/89 in the third, so we never met.

We did draw at Villa Park in the 2nd as I was there. Colin Morris pen IIRC.

You are correct, we never played Villa in the third tier and that 1987/88 season both us and Villa were in the 2nd tier.

We have not won a league match at Villa Park since 1966

 

[Silent Blade]

I hadn't realized until just now that I had never saw us play against Villa until Boxing Day 1987 despite having been a committed Blade since 1970. I missed the 2-1 home win in February 1976 because I was at boarding school

 

[Bladesman]

You are correct, we never played Villa in the third tier and that 1987/88 season both us and Villa were in the 2nd tier.

We have not won a league match at Villa Park since 1966

That bodes well for us.

 

[Deleted member 875]

I hadn't realized until just now that I had never saw us play against Villa until Boxing Day 1987 despite having been a committed Blade since 1970. I missed the 2-1 home win in February 1976 because I was at boarding school

A bit like me with Everton. Been a Blade 35 years and still have yet to see us play Everton, just always seem to miss them when they are at Bramall Lane. They are one of 6 or 7 teams in the top four divisions that in yet to see, and Goodison Park is one of about a dozen grounds I’m yet to visit

 

[Silent Blade]

That bodes well for us.

And we lost 68 league matches against them which is far more than any other teams we have played

 

[Bladesman]

And we lost 68 league matches against them which is far more than any other teams we have played

I feel better already.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Charlie Bell played centre forward one year.

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

He only scored two... for SUFC that is.
Were you there too?



ff to 21.20

 

[Grappler]

I was at the cup game in January 2014, great atmosphere, we took around 6,500 from memory, totally filled every available pub near the ground, we were in fine voice for the whole game, sang "Benteke is wank, Benteke is waaaannnnk, we've got Chris Porter, Benteke is wank" until our throats were sore.

Ryan Flynn's finest moment probably.

Great day out.

 

[Trigger Blade]

Most of my family are Villa supporters, and I’ve mentioned before that the March 1991 2-1 win was my first game (featuring Chris Wilder, numerous Villa players that would go on to play for us, and a streaker).

I don't recall you mentioning it before, but coincidentally, that was also Trig Jnr (TE)'s first game too and it got him hooked. I did a My First Football Match piece for Flashing Blade in an Adrian Mole style, mainly involving grown up innuendo around the streaker through a child's eyes

I was at the cup game in January 2014, great atmosphere, we took around 6,500 from memory, totally filled every available pub near the ground, we were in fine voice for the whole game, sang "Benteke is wank, Benteke is waaaannnnk, we've got Chris Porter, Benteke is wank" until our throats were sore.

Ryan Flynn's finest moment probably.

Great day out.

Wasn't it just. I hadn't intended to go, but was persuaded to, just for the day out, by Trig Jnr (TY), who has a Villa supporting mate. We started off in the Aston Social Club, right under the elevated Aston Expressway, which was quite lively before the game, a bit dead afterwards. It never crossed my mind we might win and it was only into injury time where I believed it might happen.

Your Benteke memory reminds me of how we try and protect the ones we love. When the Trig Jnrs were young, I did try and protect them from strong language, but on this occasion and now in his early thirties, it was Trig Jnr (TY)'s turn to protect me. I genuinely couldn't tell what the Benteke chant was, so I naively asked " what are they singing?". His reply:- "they don't think he's very good Dad and Chris Porter is better...."

 

[BushBlade]

I was at the cup game in January 2014, great atmosphere, we took around 6,500 from memory, totally filled every available pub near the ground, we were in fine voice for the whole game, sang "Benteke is wank, Benteke is waaaannnnk, we've got Chris Porter, Benteke is wank" until our throats were sore.

Ryan Flynn's finest moment probably.

Great day out.

Apparently we got quite a decent offer for Flynn on the back of that cup run, turned it down and gave him a new contract.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I don't recall you mentioning it before, but coincidentally, that was also Trig Jnr (TE)'s first game too and it got him hooked. I did a My First Football Match piece for Flashing Blade in an Adrian Mole style, mainly involving grown up innuendo around the streaker through a child's eyes

I’d enjoy reading that if you have still got a copy?

I think I was told that the streaker ran into the arms of substitute on the day Tony Agana...

Villa’s line-up included Cowans, McGrath, and Gage.
https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1990-1991-sheffield-united-aston-villa/

 

[Grappler]

I don't recall you mentioning it before, but coincidentally, that was also Trig Jnr (TE)'s first game too and it got him hooked. I did a My First Football Match piece for Flashing Blade in an Adrian Mole style, mainly involving grown up innuendo around the streaker through a child's eyes



Wasn't it just. I hadn't intended to go, but was persuaded to, just for the day out, by Trig Jnr (TY), who has a Villa supporting mate. We started off in the Aston Social Club, right under the elevated Aston Expressway, which was quite lively before the game, a bit dead afterwards. It never crossed my mind we might win and it was only into injury time where I believed it might happen.

Your Benteke memory reminds me of how we try and protect the ones we love. When the Trig Jnrs were young, I did try and protect them from strong language, but on this occasion and now in his early thirties, it was Trig Jnr (TY)'s turn to protect me. I genuinely couldn't tell what the Benteke chant was, so I naively asked " what are they singing?". His reply:- "they don't think he's very good Dad and Chris Porter is better...."

Oh and I can remember getting on the coach, outside the ground, to come back to Sheffield, and the news went round that the pigs had drawn 0-0 with the mighty Macclesfield, massive cheers and laughter from everyone.

 

[Tony]

Charlie Bell played centre forward one year.

Was at that game. He was about 8' tall and 5'6" when he jumped. Charlie lived on the Wybourn, used to catch the 93 to town in the mornings.

 

[vorpal blade]

FA cup, one given Sunday, SUFC v Aston Villa, Jan 1996

..... it had been snowing in Sheffield the day before - so the players led by Gordon Cowans (citation required [but he had had an illustrious Aston Villa career]* HINT!) - with their meteoroLOGICAL hats on** decide there is NO CHANCE that the game will be played so go out on the piss on Satdi Neet.


Can anyone guess what happened next?


Yes, you're right ! a hundred odd blades turn up on the Sunday morning with shovels to clear the snow from the pitch and the match goes ahead.


I wouldn't say the Sheffield United players weren't fit and proper persons when they represented us live on TV that day but I have it on good authority that Don Hutchison *** was brought off in the first half because he was literally crapping himself.

Can anyone guess which team won the match?


GLOSSARY

* I mean nought by this
** They didn't actually possess meteorological hats
*** For any millenials, 'literally' means - it really happened.


I hope nobody who reads this was daft enough to clear the snow from the pitch just to give a few millionaire footballers the chance of a win bonus.

 

[Revolution]

I’d enjoy reading that if you have still got a copy?

I think I was told that the streaker ran into the arms of substitute on the day Tony Agana...

Villa’s line-up included Cowans, McGrath, and Gage.
https://www.worldfootball.net/report/premier-league-1990-1991-sheffield-united-aston-villa/

The streaker ran from the Kop and got to the other penalty area, where she distracted Deano and an attack broke down.

That was my 18th birthday.

 

[Silent Blade]

The streaker ran from the Kop and got to the other penalty area, where she distracted Deano and an attack broke down.

That was my 18th birthday.

And kissed Agana who was sat on the bench!

 

[oldblade]

Something wrong with your dates, I think - Silent Blade or Revolution ?

Villa went down in 87 and played 87/88 in the 3rd. We went down in 88 and played 88/89 in the third, so we never met.

We did draw at Villa Park in the 2nd as I was there. Colin Morris pen IIRC.

I think you must be getting confused with another team.

Villa went down to the second division in 1987, not the third. And the second division is where we already were, although we went down at the end of the 1987-8 season and Villa went back up to the first division at the end of the same season.

They have only ever spent 2 seasons in the third division and both of those were in the 1970s.

 

[dublin 10 blade]

My first away match in FA cup ,
Da took me down with a load of his mates from Felbrig in Norfolk Park
Lost 4-1 , they had an excellent team and where just about to be promoted
Other than that Kyles goal v us in the cup as well
Just checking list of matches above ,
1975 wow that long ago

 

[Woodwardfan]

Was at that game. He was about 8' tall and 5'6" when he jumped. Charlie lived on the Wybourn, used to catch the 93 to town in the mornings.

So was I and I used to play footbsll with him and David Ford on Park Hill. Good lads.

 

[I should coco]

I think you must be getting confused with another team.

Villa went down to the second division in 1987, not the third. And the second division is where we already were, although we went down at the end of the 1987-8 season and Villa went back up to the first division at the end of the same season.

You are correct and at my age I'm easily confused by facts and reality.

I blame grafikhaus for saying 'in the third tier'.

 

[oldblade]

You are correct and at my age I'm easily confused by facts and reality.

I blame grafikhaus for saying 'in the third tier'.

It's not surprising. We were going up and down the leagues rather a lot in the 1980s!

 

[Baaaaaaa Blades]

remember in the pub before hand near Villa Park in 2007, great atmopshere and allot of drinking in the sun! one guy was dressed as Warnock and had a fantastic fake nose !!


walking towards the match we discovered a draw would be enough or failing that dont loose 3 or 4 -0 !!!

they went onto p#ss all over us and 3-0 looked good on us !! remember inparticular Killgallon having a night mare and was really suprised he kept his place for the Wigan game but of course did when Jags could of played there but hewent to RB for some strange reason!!

 

[Revolution]

Went to the 1993-4 game at Villa Park with a Villa supporting pal from University. Stood in the Holte End. No danger with the Villa fans: they were sympathetic to our plight, with United never looking like scoring. We lost 1-0 with Guy Whittingham scoring late on. That was the first in a nine game run where United scored the grand total of one goal - an own goal by Steve Clarke as we beat Chelsea 1-0 - and included 3 0-0 draws. We were regretting selling Deano.

Had a Balti in the evening as we met up with some Wolves and Birmingham fans we knew. Birmingham were at home on the same day which made it an interesting evening to say the least.

 

[bornablade]

Went to the 1993-4 game at Villa Park with a Villa supporting pal from University. Stood in the Holte End. No danger with the Villa fans: they were sympathetic to our plight, with United never looking like scoring. We lost 1-0 with Guy Whittingham scoring late on. That was the first in a nine game run where United scored the grand total of one goal - an own goal by Steve Clarke as we beat Chelsea 1-0 - and included 3 0-0 draws. We were regretting selling Deano.

Had a Balti in the evening as we met up with some Wolves and Birmingham fans we knew. Birmingham were at home on the same day which made it an interesting evening to say the least.

I think that 1993/94 season saw us lose the same number of games as Liverpool but it was the draws that killed our season. Maybe Wilder understands that and gives him the reason to go all out for a win.