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

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  • čas přidán 5. 06. 2024
  • "There is a God of football, his name is Paul McGrath"
    Paul McGrath sits down with Tommy Martin to talk through his career at Aston Villa, managing the injuries to be ready each Saturday and how he feels about being called God by Villa supporters as far as Africa.
    His relationship with Graham Taylor and Ron Atkinson and winning PFA Player of the Year four years after being "written off" at Manchester United.
  • Sport

Komentáře • 192

  • @neiljennings1114
    @neiljennings1114 Před 2 lety +136

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

    • @philipbrowne7620
      @philipbrowne7620 Před 2 lety +3

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

    • @madman2028
      @madman2028 Před 2 lety +3

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

    • @paulbanner4978
      @paulbanner4978 Před 2 lety +6

      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
      @PaulSmyth Před 2 lety +1

      @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
      @delki69 Před 2 lety +1

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

  • @davehopkin9502
    @davehopkin9502 Před 2 lety +24

    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

  • @garyglasgow3003
    @garyglasgow3003 Před 2 lety +90

    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
      @sararossi9527 Před 2 lety +5

      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
      @weSnooker Před 2 lety

      Shane most your fan base don’t know him

    • @garyglasgow3003
      @garyglasgow3003 Před 2 lety +1

      @@weSnooker 🤔🤷‍♂️

    • @weSnooker
      @weSnooker Před 2 lety

      @@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

  • @bk1147
    @bk1147 Před 2 lety +16

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

    • @richardevans560
      @richardevans560 Před 6 měsíci

      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.

  • @dendemano
    @dendemano Před rokem +11

    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
      @Martez909 Před 8 měsíci

      Superb i mind that chant OOh AAH Paul McGrath

    • @richardevans560
      @richardevans560 Před 6 měsíci

      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
      @dendemano Před 5 měsíci

      @@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
    @jamespalmer980 Před 2 lety +40

    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
      @garypritchett8136 Před 2 lety +2

      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
      @stevenclarke5606 Před 10 měsíci

      He’s an absolute Villa Legend!

  • @LifeLongVillan
    @LifeLongVillan Před 2 lety +5

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

  • @97devey
    @97devey Před 2 lety +9

    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.

  • @pearljam619
    @pearljam619 Před 2 lety +36

    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
      @richardevans560 Před 6 měsíci +1

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

  • @keithgkelly
    @keithgkelly Před 2 lety +12

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

  • @timwattison4419
    @timwattison4419 Před 2 lety +7

    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 👌

  • @markpotter6594
    @markpotter6594 Před 2 lety +29

    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
      @only1icon1801 Před 2 lety

      Spot on

    • @user-tt6hn5uk1i
      @user-tt6hn5uk1i Před 5 dny

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

    • @markpotter6594
      @markpotter6594 Před 5 dny

      ​@@user-tt6hn5uk1i imagine if he hadn't had dodgy knees!? He would have been ridiculous 😂

    • @user-tt6hn5uk1i
      @user-tt6hn5uk1i Před 4 dny

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

  • @bk1147
    @bk1147 Před 2 lety +2

    The way that the villa supporters treated Paul was absolutely wonderful

    • @pjoseph5950
      @pjoseph5950 Před rokem +3

      Because they watched him.
      What a fucking player 👏
      God

    • @bk1147
      @bk1147 Před rokem

      @@pjoseph5950 my favourite ever player
      Kieran Kelly

  • @bk1147
    @bk1147 Před 2 lety +2

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

  • @DavidJones-bu2vr
    @DavidJones-bu2vr Před 2 lety +5

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

  • @Antseldonmusic
    @Antseldonmusic Před 2 lety +7

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

  • @holteender83
    @holteender83 Před 2 lety +2

    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
    @dondamon4669 Před 2 lety +2

    Graham Taylor seems like a great man!

  • @markovilla1
    @markovilla1 Před 2 lety +16

    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

  • @dtothebtotheh
    @dtothebtotheh Před rokem +5

    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
      @Martez909 Před 8 měsíci

      Aye great performance i mind that game.

  • @Harrythepot
    @Harrythepot Před měsícem

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

  • @frankcarrodus7543
    @frankcarrodus7543 Před 2 lety +18

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

  • @dendemano
    @dendemano Před 2 lety +3

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

  • @djwood1239
    @djwood1239 Před 2 lety +7

    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

  • @johnmunro4952
    @johnmunro4952 Před 2 lety +5

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

    • @AllPRO786
      @AllPRO786 Před 2 lety +1

      He was more of a legend at Villa then Man U

    • @pjoseph5950
      @pjoseph5950 Před rokem

      Paul Mcgrath is a Villa legend 👏

  • @cleehomes
    @cleehomes Před 2 lety +9

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

  • @TroystonB
    @TroystonB Před 2 lety +4

    Graham Taylor was an incredible man.

    • @tonyska
      @tonyska Před 3 měsíci

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

  • @garyedmonds8487
    @garyedmonds8487 Před 2 lety +17

    what memories, what a player, what a man.

  • @markjames4610
    @markjames4610 Před 2 lety +2

    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

  • @stoneelephant
    @stoneelephant Před 2 lety +5

    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

  • @fLiPukcz
    @fLiPukcz Před rokem +1

    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.

  • @Marjopolo302
    @Marjopolo302 Před 2 lety +7

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

  • @waynewilliams6761
    @waynewilliams6761 Před 2 lety +15

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

  • @jim53627
    @jim53627 Před 2 lety +36

    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
      @pearljam619 Před 2 lety +3

      Happy Days my friend. Happy Days.

    • @chilled1977
      @chilled1977 Před 2 lety +2

      He and Shaun Teale had a great partnership then.

    • @garypritchett8136
      @garypritchett8136 Před 2 lety +2

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

    • @martinjames6431
      @martinjames6431 Před rokem

      @@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
      @ianscully6652 Před 3 měsíci +1

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

  • @KryptonitetoallBS
    @KryptonitetoallBS Před 2 lety +3

    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👍

  • @jamesfagan7823
    @jamesfagan7823 Před 2 lety +4

    PAUL Mcgrath the best centre have ever

  • @user-rv7nb9zi9b
    @user-rv7nb9zi9b Před 2 dny

    What a humble man paul is aswell as a legend for us UTV

  • @gtowngtown1601
    @gtowngtown1601 Před 2 lety +5

    Well chilled. What a cool cat.

  • @colmhammond9368
    @colmhammond9368 Před 2 lety +5

    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

  • @markshields5883
    @markshields5883 Před 2 lety +8

    One of the greatest centre backs to play the game

  • @Sarvo25
    @Sarvo25 Před 2 lety +17

    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
      @martinjames6431 Před rokem

      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
      @pjoseph5950 Před rokem +1

      The best 👌

  • @busteramove5
    @busteramove5 Před 2 měsíci

    1 word to describe Paul McGrath, LEGEND

  • @corkboy4523
    @corkboy4523 Před 2 měsíci

    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!

  • @jackwilcox5811
    @jackwilcox5811 Před 2 lety +10

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

  • @JP-nb7tm
    @JP-nb7tm Před 2 lety +1

    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.

  • @pjduff7577
    @pjduff7577 Před 2 lety +6

    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

  • @darrenwoolley8433
    @darrenwoolley8433 Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @mrshifter9582
    @mrshifter9582 Před 2 lety +2

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

  • @garypritchett8136
    @garypritchett8136 Před 2 lety +5

    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!!

  • @jaylyn740
    @jaylyn740 Před rokem +2

    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

  • @richardholmes8027
    @richardholmes8027 Před rokem +1

    Aston villa great up there with best defenders ever.

  • @Round_07
    @Round_07 Před 2 lety +4

    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 👍.

  • @starsailor9774
    @starsailor9774 Před 2 lety +2

    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.

  • @dubbaphatt3368
    @dubbaphatt3368 Před 2 lety +1

    Fair play to Graham Taylor for that offer.

  • @paulgriffiths1062
    @paulgriffiths1062 Před 2 lety +15

    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
      @lyndonsuch9664 Před 2 lety

      Respect. Villa fan.

    • @georgedeathe4683
      @georgedeathe4683 Před 2 lety +1

      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
      @DavidJones-bu2vr Před 2 lety

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

    • @DavidJones-bu2vr
      @DavidJones-bu2vr Před 2 lety

      Yes respect from another villan

    • @paulgriffiths1062
      @paulgriffiths1062 Před 2 lety

      @@DavidJones-bu2vr thanks m8.
      Appreciated.

  • @tonyska
    @tonyska Před 3 měsíci

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

  • @krt3718
    @krt3718 Před 2 lety +2

    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

  • @tomwilliams1130
    @tomwilliams1130 Před 2 lety +2

    What a legend God macca

  • @thefeckineejit264
    @thefeckineejit264 Před 2 lety +2

    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!

  • @paulmersonvillalegend1192

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

  • @Astonvilla-tl3us
    @Astonvilla-tl3us Před 2 lety +6

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

  • @namegoeshere6638
    @namegoeshere6638 Před 2 lety +5

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

    • @pjoseph5950
      @pjoseph5950 Před rokem

      Unbelievable player. On the piss my lord 🙏

  • @thomasavfc9702
    @thomasavfc9702 Před 2 lety +1

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

  • @Scotty-UK
    @Scotty-UK Před 2 lety +12

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

  • @andrewsmith7098
    @andrewsmith7098 Před 2 lety +2

    An outstanding player deserves all the accolades he gets

  • @Sheepwillbesheep
    @Sheepwillbesheep Před 2 lety +6

    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.

  • @oisinmccool3019
    @oisinmccool3019 Před 2 lety +2

    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

  • @mrshifter9582
    @mrshifter9582 Před 2 lety +1

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

  • @johnoshea470
    @johnoshea470 Před 2 lety +5

    a living legend

  • @joeymcloughlin6123
    @joeymcloughlin6123 Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @simonthompson6717
    @simonthompson6717 Před 2 lety +6

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

  • @villaman4818
    @villaman4818 Před 2 lety +10

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

  • @georgedeathe4683
    @georgedeathe4683 Před 2 lety +1

    Loved the guy Villa legend.

  • @deantindall4676
    @deantindall4676 Před 9 měsíci

    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!

  • @richardevans560
    @richardevans560 Před 6 měsíci

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

  • @MrDominic152
    @MrDominic152 Před 2 lety +3

    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

  • @jasenjackson2538
    @jasenjackson2538 Před 2 lety +3

    Legend!

  • @ericstevens2554
    @ericstevens2554 Před měsícem

    This man is a legend ❤

  • @tonyantoniou9271
    @tonyantoniou9271 Před 2 lety +3

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

  • @pjoseph5950
    @pjoseph5950 Před rokem +1

    GOD always. Up the Villa

  • @derekhollis197
    @derekhollis197 Před 2 lety +1

    A legend!

  • @mrshifter9582
    @mrshifter9582 Před 2 lety +1

    We love you Paul.

  • @xWHEETO123x
    @xWHEETO123x Před rokem +1

    Legend! UTV

  • @jirijanecek8126
    @jirijanecek8126 Před 2 lety +6

    THE GOD

  • @JackTheladd
    @JackTheladd Před 2 lety +3

    Pure Villa!

  • @paulmersonvillalegend7809

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

  • @probuilder4980
    @probuilder4980 Před 4 měsíci

    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

  • @Martez909
    @Martez909 Před 8 měsíci

    Paul Mcgrath was a class act. I was lucky to see Villa in 1993. Holte end vs QPR. Atmosphere was electric. Villa won 4-1 goals from Dalian Atkinson, Dean Saunders and Steve Staunton and Les Ferdinand scored for QPR. I always remember thinking Paul McGrath was the man of the match though. He just seemed to be in complete control of the game.

  • @MrHaze1947
    @MrHaze1947 Před rokem

    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.

  • @EarthlingokIrish
    @EarthlingokIrish Před 8 měsíci

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

  • @TJ-qx2fk
    @TJ-qx2fk Před 2 lety +12

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

  • @robertpowell7228
    @robertpowell7228 Před 2 lety +3

    Didnt need to train. A REAL villa legend.

  • @jason2smooth839
    @jason2smooth839 Před 2 lety

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

  • @JakobusVdL
    @JakobusVdL Před 2 lety +1

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

  • @creativitycell
    @creativitycell Před rokem +1

    7 seasons! Wow! I swear I thought he only played 3 max! 😮😮😮

  • @johnderwin2119
    @johnderwin2119 Před 2 lety +2

    absolute legend his book is some read ⚽️

  • @markfireflymiller8289
    @markfireflymiller8289 Před 2 lety +1

    The word legend is banded about too much in football but, in this case it's an understatement!!

  • @newspaperface
    @newspaperface Před 2 lety +1

    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

  • @cricketbat09
    @cricketbat09 Před 2 lety +1

    Great player. UTV

  • @docca123
    @docca123 Před 10 měsíci

    love him