Paul McGrath's Aston Villa 'love story' - how Villa managed his knees & lifestyle and how he repaid

[@neiljennings1114]

Been a villa fan for 40 years this man was and still is one of the best players ever to grace villa park

[@philipbrowne7620]

Peak McGrath at The Villa and they had one hell of team!

[@madman2028]

Been a Leeds fan a bit longer, to me a World Class player and a Gentleman.

[@paulbanner4978]

Lucky enough to see Paul play at villa during his career. Had a Bobby Moore type knack of knowing where the ball was going to land before anyone else. Best defender I've ever seen play, end of. UTV.

[@PaulSmyth]

@hang the dj As much as I was gutted to see him go, Fergie got it spot on. Leaving Manchester United was the wake up call Paul needed. If Fergie hadn't sold him I'm not sure Paul would still be alive today

[@delki69]

@@PaulSmyth that’s a fair and honest comment Jeez we drank a lot with robbo and norman

[@davehopkin9502]

I had the privilege of watch Paul from the Holte end - he never seemed to have to run to the ball, he had the ability to read the game as he could walk there and neet the ball. Live long and happily Paul

[@pjoseph5950]

Me too. What a player

[@dendemano]

He had a yard on most players in his head. He read the game as well as any other player I’ve seen at Villa Park. Always committed to the club and he played with a swagger and a smile. True Villa legend. Ooh ahh Paul McGrath i say ooh ahh Paul McGrath…… UTV!!!!!

[@Martez909]

Superb i mind that chant OOh AAH Paul McGrath

[@richardevans560]

It was more than a yard. Watch those old games and he knows where the ball is going BEFORE the player plays the pass or has even jumped to head it. Like Bobby Moore he was a Rolls Royce of a player who didn't have to rush because he knew exactly what was going to happen. The best defender I have ever seen, now if Villa signed him for £100m with dodgy knees I'd be delighted

[@dendemano]

@@richardevans560 We both clearly agree that he was a legend at Villa. A superb defender and footballer. The irresponsible and crude nature of my attempt, and quite frankly, an unforgivably haphazard, brazen, and churlish use of the notoriously offensive mode of measurement in lieu of the life and death increments and hair width tolerances, as are proffered within the svelte movement of a 15st defender as he crashes into an oncoming offensive player. I have humbly jettisoned my pathetic choice of yards in favour of 1 meter, which is a bit bigger than a yard. I also took your advice and perused a plethora of footage and did indeed reach an alternative conclusion. That you're a smug prick!

[@jamespalmer980]

McGrath for me was the best defender of all time, absolutely magnificent player and reader of the game. The sense of the love he had for Taylor comes through here. Taylor was a lovely kind man and a great manager.

[@garypritchett8136]

Well said my friend, GT was indeed a great man, He got Villa back to where they should be, spent time talking with him one day, told him I followed villa home and away whilst he was manager, he thanked me!!. I was in awe of him. I jokingly said to him, why on earth did he leave us to manage England. We had a few laughs and went our ways. Never forget those moments I spent with him, gutted when he passed away.

[@stevenclarke5606]

He’s an absolute Villa Legend!

[@garyglasgow3003]

We call him GOD because that's how we see him. The greatest player I've had the pleasure of seeing play in the famous claret and blue and I've seen a fair few in 50 years. There will never be anyone better than Paul McGrath 💜💙

[@sararossi9527]

Couldn't agree more. The best defender the Premier League has ever seen! Unbelievable player, put him in a Barcelona shirt and he wouldn't look out of place.

[@weSnooker]

Shane most your fan base don’t know him

[@garyglasgow3003]

@@weSnooker 🤔🤷‍♂️

[@weSnooker]

@@garyglasgow3003 for the villa fans who saw 1982 etc I respect. To the kids young adults who wernt even born and brag about it are tapped

[@jamiesimms7084]

​@@weSnookerthat's wgrm he played for Manchester United

[@97devey]

Without doubt THE greatest player to ever play for Villa. Very fortunate to have seen him play. A giant of a man on and off the pitch.

[@markpotter6594]

The best reader of the game I've seen at villa. The nicest, most modest man you could ever wish to meet. Simply unique!

[@only1icon1801]

Spot on

[@PadraigOg-1959]

Perfect post Mark. Couldn’t agree more and also privileged to see him many times at Villa Park. God bless this special man.

[@markpotter6594]

​@@PadraigOg-1959 imagine if he hadn't had dodgy knees!? He would have been ridiculous 😂

[@PadraigOg-1959]

Despite his dodgy knees he still played 323 games for us! Wow!

[@bk1147]

I honestly believe that Paul was the best defender in my living memory

[@richardevans560]

Maybe the best player. Just unbelievably good. Someone should produce a video of an hour thirty minutes of him in 1992. It would knock people's socks off, the pitches were still bad but he was just briliant.

[@CA_I]

Slight exaggeration the best player ever.

[@MrVillamoose]

@@CA_Iyou never saw him then

[@keithgkelly]

Aston Villa fan because of Paul McGrath all those years back.

[@Antseldonmusic]

One of the greatest to grace the game mcgrath always in our hearts at villa park

[@timwattison4419]

A total Villa Legend. One of the best defenders to ever wear a Villa shirt. Top footballer and a top guy to boot !!! We love you God McGrath 👌

[@jim53627]

Great player for Aston Villa. I remember watching him in the early 90s. With players like Dean Saunders and Dalian Atkinson among others had a great team back then.

[@pearljam619]

Happy Days my friend. Happy Days.

[@Alien_Truth]

He and Shaun Teale had a great partnership then.

[@garypritchett8136]

Yorke, Townsend, houghton, bosnich, Staunton too, great days indeed.

[@martinjames6431]

@@pearljam619 My greatest time as a fan. Just leaving school, loads of mates, loads of sun. If I had a year to relive it would be that one. Walloping the filth in the final. Loved it. RIP Dalian

[@ianscully6652]

@@garypritchett8136brilliant team and almost won the league that year 92/93

[@frankcarrodus7543]

The Ghana Lions story is heart warming and beautiful and all because of this man, the great man himself, Paul McGrath. Up the Villa.

[@stoneelephant]

Just pure poetry in motion on the football pitch. Had the joy of seeing the great man on many occasions both at VP and away . Always majestic . Also proved it on the international stage . So no question of his class .. UPM and UTV

[@dtothebtotheh]

I was at the World Cup in ‘94, our first game against Italy, guy was immense, baggio in his back pocket, probably the best performance I’ve ever witnessed.

[@Martez909]

Aye great performance i mind that game.

[@richarda3514]

Italy got to the final no point, having a blinder of a game for a few games. Typical good lad mentality

[@djwood1239]

Been a villa fan all my life 43years now and had the honour of playing for my boyhood club from the age of 13 to 15 and will never forget that bodymore heath was getting refurbished at the time so had to get changed in the gym and mcgrath was in their every day on his exercise bike while everyone else was training then go and get a rub down off jim walker that was his schedule everyday and he was still the best player on the pitch every Saturday say ooh aah Paul mcgrath say ooh aah Paul mcgrath

[@markovilla1]

I started regularly watching The Villa when I was 18-19 years old and I was incredibly, ridiculously lucky that it coincided with the time that GOD came to the club, and I got to see him every week... I'll never forget it :-D

[@waynewilliams6761]

Love this superman, a proper legend.....

[@garyedmonds8487]

what memories, what a player, what a man.

[@cleehomes]

Was gutted when he left United! Top player and top lad! Great move for Villa!

[@Sarvo25]

This great man and Deano are the reason I support Villa. True legend and player of the year 92/93 in first year of Prem. Not bad for a man with no knees 😁

[@martinjames6431]

For me it was the closest top flight team to my home. Thank God it wasn't the Blue scum,. It was that year though, Aktinson/Saunders partnership. Mcgrath and his portable wall

[@pjoseph5950]

The best 👌

[@DavidJones-bu2vr]

Without question Paul is the greatest player to ever don the claret/Blue shirt. True Villa legend

[@pjoseph5950]

Agreed 👍

[@colmhammond9368]

It was seen MC grath in the villa jersey when I was 7 started me supporting the villa and I've never stopped villa till I die

[@dendemano]

Ooh ahh Paul McGrath, I say ooh ahh Paul McGrath!!! Legend, absolute legend.

[@jaylyn740]

Unbeatable in the air solid as a rock and composed on the ball excellent reading of the game seen him live a few times and he stood out from everyone on the pitch by miles

[@jackwilcox5811]

Such well spoken man, loved on the holte end he is god

[@pjoseph5950]

Right side

[@LifeLongVillan]

Paul McGrath in my opinion is the G.O.A.T of AVFC

[@garypritchett8136]

Was lucky enough to be watching villa home & away for just about all of Macca’s villa career, the greatest player I ever saw. Also I have personally met both Jim Walker and Graham Taylor, the day I spent talking football with G.T for 10 minutes in the sunshine one afternoon will live in my memory forever. Good to see Macca looking so well in this vid, UTV!!

[@markjames4610]

OUR DOUG BLESS HIM LOVED PAUL MCGARTH SAW HIM AS A SON AND ALSO THE GREAT GRAHAM DID AS WELL READ THE BOOKS IM 58 YEARS OLD MY FAVOURITE PLAYER FOR VILLA EVER LIKE MANY UTV

[@Marjopolo302]

Met Paul when I was 13 , still the greatest hero I've met.

[@Scotty-UK]

Legend and one of the greatest of all time, loved him ❤️

[@pjoseph5950]

God

[@johnmunro4952]

Magnificent player. Was a Man United legend,but when he went to Villa he became something truly special.

[@AllPRO786]

He was more of a legend at Villa then Man U

[@pjoseph5950]

Paul Mcgrath is a Villa legend 👏

[@pjduff7577]

One of the best defenders ever , and the measure of how good he was as a player absolutely bossed the midfield against england at Wembley against Robson

[@TroystonB]

Graham Taylor was an incredible man.

[@tonyska]

He certainly was, he did so much for our club.

[@holteender83]

I met paul when i was about 8yrs old at good hope social club i was to scared to approach him my dad took me over got his autograpgh what a legend utv

[@dondamon4669]

Graham Taylor seems like a great man!

[@Astonvilla-tl3us]

Paul mcrath what a player the best man to read the game I have ever seen at villa a true legend and gentlemen 💜💙

[@simonthompson6717]

Best player in my lifetime! True Legend. Thank you God. UTV.

[@namegoeshere6638]

Villa legend. A great player. So grateful I saw him play in person.

[@pjoseph5950]

Unbelievable player. On the piss my lord 🙏

[@jamesfagan7823]

PAUL Mcgrath the best centre have ever

[@markshields5883]

One of the greatest centre backs to play the game

[@pjoseph5950]

💯

[@gtowngtown1601]

Well chilled. What a cool cat.

[@KryptonitetoallBS]

I've been watching football for over 40 years and I've not seen a better central defender than Paul McGrath in the 7 years he played @ Manchester United. When you consider we've had Stam, Pallister, Bruce, Ferdinand, Vidic, and others. For him to then carry on and play another 7 seasons @ Villa is astonishing. Great man👍

[@krt3718]

I remember being truly star struck when first saw Paul from the old L block in the holte end as a 13 year old. Himself and Steve Staunton were so good for villa in their twighlight years in the game. UTV

[@oisinmccool3019]

His reading of the game was fantastic. He'd see that final ball, or 2nd last ball and just get there with an interception, tackle or headed clearance. Brilliant reading of the game

[@pearljam619]

100% of Villa fans call this legend “God” we still sing his name to this very day. Simple fact of the matter is he was blooming brilliant for us and played with his heart on his sleeve. Even with dodgy knees he was absolutely pure class. I can’t stress enough how good he was. He scored the first goal I saw live at Villa Park in 1990 as a 9 year old kid.

[@richardevans560]

I don't call him God because I'm a Christian, but he was the greatest defender I've ever seen

[@mrshifter9582]

We love him, he signed my shirt in the barley mow. We love you Paul. I

[@fLiPukcz]

Paul scored the winner in the first game I ever watched in the Holte, Immotalized in my mind. He is the best defender I have ever seen live.

[@paulgriffiths1062]

As a Coventry fan I absolutely detest " the villa"....but credit where credits due. This man is a legend. Great great player, and such a humble person. FULL RESPECT.

[@lyndonsuch9664]

Respect. Villa fan.

[@georgedeathe4683]

your hate will chew you up and spit you out, and may I say it was a pleasure to sent you down. From which you'll never ever return.

[@DavidJones-bu2vr]

@@georgedeathe4683 Come on Fella - the guy was showing his respect to Paul. Ps I am a villan as well 👍🏻

[@DavidJones-bu2vr]

Yes respect from another villan

[@paulgriffiths1062]

@@DavidJones-bu2vr thanks m8. Appreciated.

[@JP-nb7tm]

I remember the first time we started singing the Kumbi ya Paul McGrath song at Liverpool away. The whole end was bowing to him. Great days. Legend.

[@bk1147]

The way that the villa supporters treated Paul was absolutely wonderful

[@pjoseph5950]

Because they watched him. What a fucking player 👏 God

[@bk1147]

@@pjoseph5950 my favourite ever player Kieran Kelly

[@Round_07]

Saw my first game at Villa Park in 1977. There’s been some great players during that time (Cowans/Little/Shaw etc) but McGrath is the best. Had the pleasure of meeting him after he finished playing and not a nicer man could you meet 👍.

[@EmiMartinezVillaLegend]

We absolutely *LOVE THIS MAN!* 💜💙 *GOD!*

[@deantindall4676]

Simply the best centre half I've ever seen, his reading of the game was second to none, used to get man of the match every week!!. UTV!

[@richardholmes8027]

Aston villa great up there with best defenders ever.

[@johnoshea470]

a living legend

[@tomwilliams1130]

What a legend God macca

[@bk1147]

I'm a brummie Celtic supporter but by far my favourite player!!

[@georgedeathe4683]

Loved the guy Villa legend.

[@jasenjackson2538]

Legend!

[@probuilder4980]

I have a serious man crush on Paul. I dont normally care about people I dont know but its different with Paul. I met him when he was a guest out our football club when I was about 12 and he was brilliant with us. I just love him and wish him all the best

[@MrDominic152]

Now this man is a Villa Legend!! Grealish take note of what you could have been at Villa. Great to see Paul looking so well. #UTV

[@pjoseph5950]

Well said 👏

[@thomasavfc9702]

God bless God utv theyll never be another Paul McGrath utv 👑

[@andrewsmith7098]

An outstanding player deserves all the accolades he gets

[@thefeckineejit264]

The number of people that were willing to support him with his injuries and his demons is a testament to Paul’s true character, I bet if he was an a-hole the support wouldn’t have been there for him......for me he is still the greatest player Ireland has every had!

[@JakobusVdL]

Great interview. Used to love watching Villa and McGraft back in the day.

[@villaman4818]

Best defender in the world for about 3 or 4 years ..

[@mrshifter9582]

We love you Paul.

[@derekhollis197]

A legend!

[@dubbaphatt3368]

Fair play to Graham Taylor for that offer.

[@mrshifter9582]

The best centre half I have ever seen in a villa shirt.

[@JackTheladd]

Pure Villa!

[@Dontbeasheep33]

It’s very rare a pro sportsman who has a problem with alcohol all his sports life can play up to 40 at the highest level.

[@Harrythepot]

I still get number 5 and McGrath on the back of my shirt. Villa legend, they still sing about him every game!

[@xWHEETO123x]

Legend! UTV

[@jirijanecek8126]

THE GOD

[@corkboy4523]

I first saw Paul play around 1981 for st Patrick’s athletic away v Cork United in the league of Ireland in Turners Cross. He was several levels above everyone else on the pitch. He’s a mighty man that’s managed to come through some very rough times. A class act!

[@richardholmes8027]

GREATEST player ive seen down the villa. Just amazing as a 11yr old lad standing on the holte. Him and jim walker were a double act.

[@pjoseph5950]

GOD always. Up the Villa

[@darrenwoolley8433]

My favourite ever Aston Villa player I'm so happy I got to see God play many times for my club. UTV

[@MrHaze1947]

I've never seen this interview. Brilliant for the Villa even with his problems. I remember him when I was a kid and Gary Shaw and all the others. Always will be AVFC forever.

[@michaelfawole9974]

Graham Taylor, what a guy. RIP.

[@EarthlingokIrish]

Best player I ever seen in a Villa Shirt and an Ireland shirt. Superb

[@tonyska]

As a long time Villa fan, Paul was the best. ❤

[@tonyantoniou9271]

This God did not need knees we do in order to bow to his footballing genius !

[@tuckerdaniel2944]

Best player I ever seen in a Ireland jersey and a gentleman 👍

[@paulmersonvillalegend7809]

*PAUL MCGRATH MY LORD PAUL MCGRATH!* *GOD* at our football club we love you Paul. *UP THE VILLA!*

[@joeymcloughlin6123]

One of the best centre halfs I’ve ever ever seen

[@richardevans560]

Lovely interview, it allows him to realise he is a great.

[@robertpowell7228]

Didnt need to train. A REAL villa legend.

[@jason2smooth839]

I have seen players at the villa since 1977 he made the game look easy with bad knees OOH AAH

[@TJ-qx2fk]

still a bigger legend that that player who went to city for 100pence

[@cricketbat09]

Great player. UTV

[@busteramove5]

1 word to describe Paul McGrath, LEGEND

[@johnderwin2119]

absolute legend his book is some read ⚽️

[@ericstevens2554]

This man is a legend ❤

[@starsailor9774]

92/93 Aston Villa at their best would be a match for any team in any era..... God is right.. we tore teams apart 3, 4, 5, 6 goals. McGrath along with Teale were better than modern day any central defensive partnership.

[@PatrickOConnor-k9d]

Just the best

[@docca123]

love him

[@newspaperface]

Forget about villa world cup 90 quarter final Roberto Baggio wasn't mentioned once by the commentators because of this man. Ooh ah Paul McGrath