Trainers and Managers through Villa's History Trainers and Managers through Villa's History During the 1880s and 1890s many clubs became limited liability companies with directors taking sole charge of team affairs. The trainer supervised player training but some boards felt that these men were lacking in management skills, and several appointed a secretary-manager. So was the case with Villa. Former player George Ramsay was appointed as Secretary/Manager in 1886, to be the day-to-day representative of the directors. His duties not only involved looking after the players but also included controlling recruitment and transfers, supported by a specialist trainer. Ramsay remained in this post until May, 1926. W. J. Smith took over as Secretary in 1926 and in May, 1934, the Team Manager system took over.

The Period of the Trainers (under a Secretary) 1886 (and earlier?) to 1892 : Will Gorman 1892 to 1893: Dick Oxenbould 1893 to 1915 : Joe Grierson 'Poached' from the frighteningly-titled Middlesbrough lronopolis club.ï¿½ He had the single honour of training every one of Aston Villaï¿½s League Championship winning sides before the Great War. Under trainer Grierson, the League was conquered six times and the FA Cup four times in a run of success which it took a World War to halt. Not until Shankly and Paisley led Liverpool to the peaks was that level of domination eclipsed anywhere in the world. Former Villa playing legend John Devey was an assistant to Grierson after Devey's playing retirement in 1901. The onset of the First World War saw the departure of Grierson. 'Poached' from the frighteningly-titled Middlesbrough lronopolis club. He had the single honour of coaching every one of Aston Villaï¿½s League Championship winning sides before the Great War.

Under trainer Grierson, the League was conquered six times and the FA Cup four times in a run of success which it took a World War to halt. Not until Shankly and Paisley led Liverpool to the peaks was that level of domination eclipsed anywhere in the world. Former Villa playing legend John Devey was assistant to Grierson after Devey's playing retirement in 1901. <Close This View> 1919 to 1926 : Alf Miles (former Villa player) 1926 to 1935 : Harry Cooch (former Villa player) Information kindly provided by Harry's great nephew, Keith Brailsford. Assistant trainer from 1919, Harry Cooch had been Villa's goalkeeping understudy to the great Billy George between 1901 and 1908. Such was George's consistency, however, that Harry was able to gain only 25 first-team appearances.

Despite this, in the Villa News & Record (in September, 1906) Harry was described as "a worthy comrade to the Villaï¿½s international goalkeeper, and many regard him as little inferior to the first team player.ï¿½ He possesses all the attributes for smart custodianship, being of especially fine physique,ï¿½ and combining activity with sound judgement." Harry officially became club trainer to the Villa on the death of Alf Miles in 1926, but Harry had been acting as club trainer for some time after the onset of Milesï¿½ illness. Harry was reported in the Sports Argus as Trainer to the England International Team for the sixth time on September 29th 1934 versus Wales . The match, won 4-0 by England , was when Sir Stanley Matthews made his England debut.

With the sudden decline of the Villa, in the Villa News & Record of 02-11-1935 it was stated: "Harry Cooch, whose health has for some time been indifferent, will have a lesser responsibility in taking charge of one or other of our teams" ï¿½ he was described as ï¿½Caretakerï¿½ pending the arrival of a new manager, McMullan having just been shown the door. Harry lived in the ï¿½Cottageï¿½ at Villa Park from 1925 until his death aged 65 on 5th December 1944. In his Obituary in the Villa News & Record dated 9-12-1944 it stated: "Two years ago he had a serious illness which necessitated an operation but he was soon up and about again and as active as ever.

Ever of a cheery disposition, it was always a delight to meet and talk with him, for he got quite a lot out of life that many more missed, and our dressing room corridor, where he could usually be found, will be all the drearier and colder now that his sunny presence has gone from it." The Period of the Team Managers (Manager's names in bold indicate some progress at the club under that manager) 01-06-1934 to 31-10-1935 : Jimmy McMullan Captain of the 1928 ï¿½Wembley Wizardsï¿½ (the Scotland team that beat England 5-1 at Wembley). Beginning his career with Partick Thistle, his major sojourn was with Manchester City. In May, 1933 he became player-manager of Oldham Athletic before being selected by Villa as their first Team Manager.

<Close This View> Captain of the 1928 ï¿½Wembley Wizardsï¿½ (the Scotland He began his career with Partick Thistle, his major sojourn being with Manchester City .ï¿½ In May, 1933 he became player-manager of Oldham Athletic before being selected by Villa as their first Team Manager with a sad result. After McMullan's departure, the board restored control over team affairs until the appointment of Jimmy Hogan. 01-08-1936 to 01-09-1939 (WW2) : Jimmy Hogan Jimmy Hogan was an internationally-renowned coach who restored Villa to the First Division after they had already been relegated, and conveyed his coaching methods to the likes of Massie and Houghton, who were to be Villa managers after WW2. Houghton brought him back to Villa Park in 1953 (when in his 70s) to coach Villa's youngsters, including Ron Atkinson and Peter McParland. He finally left Villa in 1959.

ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ The following is mostly from an article in Guardian Unlimited, 22-11-2003: ï¿½[In 1953] English football's castle crumbled. On a dank afternoon at Wembley, Hungary finally ended England 's unbeaten home record against continental opposition. But it was worse than that. The defeat was by a humbling 6-3 and not only had the "Magic Magyars" shown themselves to be superior in everything from ball skills to tactics, they opened England 's wounds even wider by dedicating the historic victory to an Englishman. Sitting in the stands was a 71-year-old, white-haired little Lancastrian surrounded by athletic-looking young men. His name was Jimmy Hogan and the youths were Aston Villa juniors he was still coaching.

If ever there was a prophet without honour in his own country it was Hogan and, poignantly, shortly after the game ended, the president of the Hungarian Football Association, Sandor Barcs, said: "Jimmy Hogan taught us everything we know about football." English FA officials were doubly mortified. The match had seen Ferenc Puskas and his superb team humiliate England ; now they were hearing that Hogan had planted the seeds not only of a Hungarian football revolution but one that had spread across the whole of Europe . Hardly any wonder that many years later England 's captain, Billy Wright, told me: "There were people who were of a mind to call Jimmy Hogan a traitor." In fact Hogan was a patriot and admirer of the way English football had been played before his work, and that of his Austrian friend Hugo Meisl, showed its flaws. His coaching was based on ball mastery which in 1953 was seen to be deficient in the English players, just as it is today.

Throughout his long career he never asked anyone to do anything that he himself could not achieve, but his standards both of skill and morality (he was a devoted Roman Catholic) were so high that when he did return to England to manage Aston Villa and Fulham in the 1930s and coach at Celtic, the senior players, feeling inferior, argued that they had no need of his teaching. Curiously, Hogan himself had taken up football in the early 20th century without family encouragement. His parents had left Ireland to find work in the Lancashire cotton industry. Jimmy's father wanted him to become a priest but football won the argument. In a fairly modest career he played for Burnley, Bolton, Fulham and Swindon as a skilful inside forward. It was a summer tour of Holland that persuaded him to take up coaching. Bolton easily beat Dordrecht and he vowed to go back and "teach them how to play". In his early 30s he did indeed return to become the youngest-ever British coach to take up a permanent position on the continent. He soon realised that the continental players had a different attitude from those in England .

They said it was up to them to get themselves fit, what they expected of the coach was not the typical British notion that stamina would win in the end and that being deprived of the ball all week would make them all the more hungry for it on Saturday. They demanded to know how to improve their ball skills and how to use them to produce effective teamwork. Hogan was teaching Total Football generations before Johan Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer brought that term into the game's language. In an adventurous career, he taught thousands of young players in Holland and even Africa . In many cases he helped them develop into outstanding internationals and, in some instances, become world famous coaches, including the West German manager Helmut Schoen whom he coached at Dresden and who called him "a shining example for the coaching professionï¿½. The outbreak of the first world war found him coaching in Austria . On the day war was declared he was woken at dawn and thrown into prison. He remained an internee for the duration but was allowed to go to Hungary where he worked with the MTK club who formed the basis of the national team that would develop into the great side of the 1950s.

However, when the war ended he returned to England and was told that men who had suffered financially as a result of the war could claim ï¿½200 from the FA. He was almost destitute but when he went to London the secretary, Frederick Wall, opened a cupboard and offered him a pair of khaki socks: "We sent these to the boys at the front and they were grateful." The unsubtle message was: "Traitor." The highlight of his career was working with Meisl to produce the Austrian Wunderteam who lost by only 4-3 to England Stamford Bridge in 1932. Even so his message that English football was about to be overtaken was ignored. In the end he came back to Britain as a manager [to Villa] but returned to his real love, coaching. At Celtic one of his pupils was Tommy Docherty, who says Hogan was his greatest influence, as does Ron Atkinson, who was taught by him at Villa, and the Irish and Villa winger Peter McParland who was among the "boys" with him on that portentous day at Wembley.

After the 1953 defeat the English press campaigned to have Hogan involved in restoring English football but, wrongly, he was considered too old. He died in 1974 aged 91, still a patriot but with good cause to be bitter. Jimmy Hogan was an internationally-renowned coach who restored Villa to the First Division after they had already been relegated, and conveyed his coaching methods to the likes of Massie and Houghton, who were to be Villa managers after WW2. Houghton brought him back to Villa Park in the 1950s (when in his 70s) to coach Villa's youngsters, including Ron Atkinson and Peter McParland. The following is mostly from an article in Guardian Unlimited, 22-11-2003. [In 1953] English football's castle crumbled. On a dank afternoon at Wembley, Hungary finally ended England's unbeaten home record against continental opposition. But it was worse than that.

The defeat was by a humbling 6-3 and not only had the "Magic Magyars" shown themselves to be superior in everything from ball skills to tactics, they opened England's wounds even wider by dedicating the historic victory to an Englishman. Sitting in the stands was a 71-year-old, white-haired little Lancastrian surrounded by athletic-looking young men. His name was Jimmy Hogan and the youths were Aston Villa juniors he was still coaching. If ever there was a prophet without honour in his own country it was Hogan and, poignantly, shortly after the game ended, the president of the Hungarian Football Association, Sandor Barcs, said: "Jimmy Hogan taught us everything we know about football." English FA officials were doubly mortified. The match had seen Ferenc Puskas and his superb team humiliate England; now they were hearing that Hogan had planted the seeds not only of a Hungarian football revolution but one that had spread across the whole of Europe.

Hardly any wonder that many years later England's captain, Billy Wright, told me: "There were people who were of a mind to call Jimmy Hogan a traitor." In fact Hogan was a patriot and admirer of the way English football had been played before his work, and that of his Austrian friend Hugo Meisl, showed its flaws. His coaching was based on ball mastery which in 1953 was seen to be deficient in the English players, just as it is today. Throughout his long career he never asked anyone to do anything that he himself could not achieve, but his standards both of skill and morality (he was a devoted Roman Catholic) were so high that when he did return to England to manage Aston Villa and Fulham in the 1930s and coach at Celtic, the senior players, feeling inferior, argued that they had no need of his teaching. Curiously, Hogan himself had taken up football in the early 20th century without family encouragement. His parents had left Ireland to find work in the Lancashire cotton industry. Jimmy's father wanted him to become a priest but football won the argument.

In a fairly modest career he played for Burnley, Bolton, Fulham and Swindon as a skilful inside forward. It was a summer tour of Holland with Bolton that persuaded him to take up coaching. Bolton easily beat Dordrecht and he vowed to go back and "teach them how to play". In his early 30s he did indeed return to become the youngest-ever British coach to take up a permanent position on the continent. He soon realised that the continental players had a different attitude from those in England. They said it was up to them to get themselves fit, what they expected of the coach was not the typical British notion that stamina would win in the end and that being deprived of the ball all week would make them all the more hungry for it on Saturday. They demanded to know how to improve their ball skills and how to use them to produce effective teamwork. Hogan was teaching Total Football generations before Johan Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer brought that term into the game's language. In an adventurous career, he taught thousands of young players in Holland, Austria, Hungary, France and even Africa.

In many cases he helped them develop into outstanding internationals and, in some instances, become world famous coaches, including the West German manager Helmut Schoen whom he coached at Dresden and who called him "a shining example for the coaching profession". The outbreak of the first world war found him coaching in Austria. On the day war was declared he was woken at dawn and thrown into prison. He remained an internee for the duration but was allowed to go to Hungary where he worked with the MTK club who formed the basis of the national team that would develop into the great side of the 1950s. However, when the war ended he returned to England and was told that men who had suffered financially as a result of the war could claim ï¿½200 from the FA.

He was almost destitute but when he went to London the secretary, Frederick Wall, opened a cupboard and offered him a pair of khaki socks: "We sent these to the boys at the front and they were grateful." The unsubtle message was: "Traitor." The highlight of his career was working with Meisl to produce the Austrian Wunderteam who lost by only 4-3 to England at Stamford Bridge in 1932. Even so his message that English football was about to be overtaken was ignored. In the end he came back to Britain as a manager [to Villa] but returned to his real love, coaching. At Celtic one of his pupils was Tommy Docherty, who says Hogan was his greatest influence, as does Ron Atkinson, who was taught by him at Villa, and the Irish and Villa winger Peter McParland who was among the "boys" with him on that portentous day at Wembley. After the 1953 defeat the English press campaigned to have Hogan involved in restoring English football but, wrongly, he was considered too old. He died in 1974 aged 91, still a patriot but with good cause to be bitter.

<Close This View> 01-08-1945 to 31-07-1949 : Alex Massie (former Villa player) Massie entered management with Villa after retiring as a player with the club in 1945, the War having interfered with his playing career. It was Massie that brought in the famed Trevor Ford from Swansea , a player that restored pride in the club in an otherwise largely inauspicious period for the Villa. Massie's departure was as a result of the board over-ruling Massie's preferred style of play. Massie entered management with Villa after retiring as a player with the club, the War having interfered with his playing career. It was Massie that brought in the famed Trevor Ford from Swansea, a player that restored pride in the club in an otherwise largely inauspicious period for the Villa. Massie's departure was as a result of the board over-ruling Massie's preferred style of play. <Close This View> After Massie's departure, the board restored control over team affairs until the appointment of George Martin.

01-12-1950 to 31-08-1953 : George Martin Brought in from Newcastle United, Martin had shortly before sold goalscorer Tommy Thompson to Villa, and then (for Villa) bought the great Danny Blanchflower from Barnsley . These two players were the main quality of the Villa side in the early 50s in another inauspicious period for the club. Brought in from Newcastle United, Martin in turn brought with him their goalscorer Tommy Thompson, and then the great Danny Blanchflower from Barnsley. These two players were the main quality of the Villa side in the early 50s in another inauspicious period for the club.

<Close This View> 01-09-1953 to 30-11-1958 : Eric Houghton (former Villa player) A legend as a Villa player with his hard shooting, Eric finished his playing career with Villa after WW2, and eventually managed Notts County (where he managed the likes of ex-Villa and England star Frank Broome,ex-England star Tommy Lawton, Jackie Sewell and the very young Ron Wylie), returning in 1953 to take over from George Martin as Villa's manager. His finest hour in this capacity came in 1957 when his Villa team, built on the ethics of teamwork and endless stamina, upset both the odds and the media by beating the Busby Babes in the FA Cup Final, thereby denying them the double and preserving Villa's record as the last team to do it, sixty years earlier. In the league, however, the fifties was a decade of continual struggle and Eric eventually paid the price when he was asked to resign.

In his autobiography "Going For Goal", Peter McParland recalled how Eric broke the news: "We had just beaten Hearts in a floodlight friendly when the Boss walked into the dressing room and, with tears in his eyes, told us he was leaving the club. It came as a great shock to all of us. He had not said a single word to any of us about going, though he had known for 24 hours. But it was typical of him to keep back the news so that those players bidding for a first team place would not be upset. "All the players liked Eric. He's a real gentleman. In fact he's too nice a chap to be a football manager. A Villa fanatic, he lived, slept and dreamed of Aston Villa seven days a week. Whenever he was called on to do a party piece, he would always stand up and sing his Villa song 'An Old jersey of Claret and Blue'.

After he left, he was offered several thousand pounds by one Sunday newspaper for his story, but Eric refused to get involved in any mud-slinging against the club he loved." ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ He left behind him a wonderful crop of young players that had been brought through under his and Jimmy Hoganï¿½s guidance. Fortunately for Villa, the club had not seen the last of Eric Houghton. He returned to give sterling service as a director and eventually became the club's only permanent senior vice-president. In that role he did a wonderful public relations job for the Villa, as anyone who met him would testify. Mostly from an article written by Stephen Pennell. A legend as a player, Eric finished his playing career with Villa after WW2, and eventually managed Notts County (where he managed the likes of ex-Villa and England star Frank Broome,ex-England star Tommy Lawton, Jackie Sewell and the very young Ron Wylie), returning in 1953 to take over from George Martin as Villa's manager.

His finest hour in this capacity came in 1957 when his Villa team, built on the ethics of teamwork and endless stamina, upset both the odds and the media by beating the Busby Babes in the FA Cup Final, thereby denying them the double and preserving Villa's record as the last team to do it, sixty years earlier. In the league, however, the fifties was a decade of continual struggle and Eric eventually paid the price when he was asked to resign. In his autobiography "Going For Goal", Peter McParland recalled how Eric broke the news: "We had just beaten Hearts in a floodlight friendly when the Boss walked into the dressing room and, with tears in his eyes, told us he was leaving the club. It came as a great shock to all of us. He had not said a single word to any of us about going, though he had known for 24 hours. But it was typical of him to keep back the news so that those players bidding for a first team place would not be upset. "All the players liked Eric. He's a real gentleman. In fact he's too nice a chap to be a football manager.

A Villa fanatic, he lived, slept and dreamed of Aston Villa seven days a week. Whenever he was called on to do a party piece, he would always stand up and sing his Villa song 'An Old jersey of Claret and Blue'. After he left, he was offered several thousand pounds by one Sunday newspaper for his story, but Eric refused to get involved in any mud-slinging against the club he loved." Fortunately for Villa, the club had not seen the last of Eric Houghton. He returned to give sterling service as a director and eventually became the club's only permanent senior vice-president. In that role he did a wonderful public relations job for the Villa, as anyone who met him would testify. <Close This View> 01-12-1958 to 30-06-1964 : Joe Mercer Former Arsenal and England star Joe Mercer had earned valuable experience as manager of Sheffield United,and was brought in in the middle of the 1958/59 season to try to avert relegation. In this he failed, but built a promising foundation, particularly in the development of youth, working from the foundations laid by Houghton and Hogan.

By the early 60s, Villa became known as the "Mercer's Minors" as a riposte to the "Busby Babes". Dogged by ill-luck in his last two seasons, overwork and (finally) ill-health, he was brutally removed from his post in the summer of 1964, having been pilloried by some previously adoring fans. A generally popular and decent man, the former Arsenal starï¿½s subsequent success at Manchester City probably reflects that he would have been Villaï¿½s answer with better executive management to back him up. Perhaps Mercerï¿½s Villa career, and the handicaps he had to work under, were best summed up in a quote he gave several years later: ï¿½We were too concerned with solvency at Villa Park .ï¿½ Former Arsenal and England star Joe Mercer had earned valuable experience as manager of Sheffield United, and was brought in in the middle of the 1958/59 season to try to avert relegation. In this he failed, but built a promising foundation, particularly in the development of youth, working from the foundations laid by Houghton and Hogan.

By the early 60s, Villa became known as the "Mercer's Minors" as a riposte to the "Busby Babes". Dogged by ill-luck in his last two seasons, overwork and (finally) ill-health, he was brutally removed from his post in the summer of 1964, having been pilloried by some previously adoring fans. A generally popular and decent man, the former Arsenal starï¿½s subsequent success at Manchester City probably reflects that he would have been Villaï¿½s answer with better executive management to back him up. Perhaps Mercerï¿½s Villa career, and the handicaps he had to work under, were best summed up in a quote he gave several years later: ï¿½We were too concerned with solvency at Villa Park.ï¿½ <Close This View> 01-07-1964 to 31-05-1967 : Dick Taylor Former assistant to Joe Mercer at Villa and Sheffield United.

He was more attacking-minded in his thinking than his former boss, but he also lacked financial backing to do much and could only watch as the star players left unreplaced, and that (plus injuries to important players like Deakin) caused Villa to slide to relegation.Former assistant to Joe Mercer at Villa and Sheffield United. <Close This View> 01-07-1967 to 30-11-1968 : Tommy Cummings 01-12-1968 to 01-01-1970 : Tommy Docherty This tough but cheery former Scotland , Glasgow Celtic, Preston and Arsenal star was brought in by the new hierarchy at Villa in an attempt to stop the downward trend that had been the cause of "the Revolution" now sweeping through Villa Park . In this he did not succeed (as the club were infamously relegated to the old Third Division at the end of the season) but supporters had detected the beginnings of a new spirit at the club under his management.

This tough but cheery former Scotland, Glasgow Celtic, Preston and Arsenal star was brought in by the new hierarchy at Villa in an attempt to stop the downward trend that had been the cause of "the Revolution" now sweeping through Villa Park. In this he did not succeed (as the club were infamously relegated to the old Third Division at the end of the season) but supporters had detected the beginnings of a new spirit at the club under his management. <Close This View> 01-01-1970 to 06-05-1974 : Vic Crowe (former Villa player) With co-former-Villa-player Ron Wylie as his assistant, Crowe had the formidable task of turning round the club's fortunes but were too late to prevent relegation to the old Third Division at the end of the 1969/70 season. In 1970/71, however, though they missed out on promotion, the team fought its way to the Football League Cup Final at Wembley and might have won the Cup against the Spurs. This was after a famous 2-leg victory over Man United in the semis.

1971/72 brought promotion back to the Second Division in record style, and the youth team won the FA Youth Cup with wonderful young players Gidman and Little (amongst others) beginning to break through into the first team, where Bruce Rioch was hero supreme. The first season back in the Second Division resulted in being quite close to a promotion place, but the second season in that division was disappointing, resulting in the sale of Rioch at his wish to play in the top flight. The disappointment of that season caused Crowe and Wylie the loss of their jobs. Vic Crowe, with co-former-Villa-player Ron Wylie as his assistant, had the foridable task of turning round the club's fortunes but were too late to prevent relegation to the old Third Division at the end of the 1969/70 season. In 1970/71, however, though they missed out on promotion, the team fought its way to the Football League Cup Final at Wembley and might have won the Cup against the Spurs. This was after a famous 2-leg victory over Man United in the semis.

1971/72 brought promotion back to the Second Division in record style, and the youth team won the FA Youth Cup with wonderful young players Gidman and Little (amongst others) beginning to break through into the first team, where Bruce Rioch was hero supreme. The first season back in the Second Division resulted in being quite close to a promotion place, but the second season back was disappointing, resulting in the sale of Rioch at his wish to play in the top flight. The disappointment of that season caused Crowe and Wylie the loss of their jobs. <Close This View> 04-06-1974 to 09-02-1982 : Ron Saunders As a manager Saunders first tasted success at Norwich , taking them to Division Two winners in 1972. A short spell at Manchester City followed, before he joined Villa in 1974. He managed Villa to promotion from Division Two (1975), League Cup (1975 & 1977) and Championship (1981) success before walking out on the verge of the club's greatest achievement after a disagreement with the board.

He moved on to manage Birmingham City and then WBA. Saunders built, in fact, not one Villa team but three, but in each case using something of a similar formula. For example, for Gidman, Carrodus, Little and Gray of the 1977 team, read Swain, Bremner, Shaw and Withe in 1981. But in both those teams, the ï¿½engineï¿½ was Evans, Mortimer and Cowans. The common theme of all Saundersï¿½ teams was the capacity of the players to play for one another, and one other major ingredient - to be pretty quick greyhounds! Speed of thought and action was a pre-requisite to be successful in Saundersï¿½ teams. Saundersï¿½ teams played as they should - as a team. None of the players signed had previously been household-names, but they were all very good players who just happened to come together at just the right time, with a good balance of youth and experience.

To think that Saunders achieved what he did, losing some very good players to injury on the way (Robson, Pejic, Leonard, Cropley and Little), and also the loss of Gidman and Gray to other clubs, was nothing short of magnificent. But perhaps there was also a bit of that old Villa luck in the likes of Cowans, Mortimer, and Evans coming together between 1975 and 1977, and they sticking with it at a time when patience and loyalty were becoming rare characteristics amongst footballers. This dynamic trio were the core around which the rest of the team hung ï¿½ and the likes of Gary Shaw, Tony Morley, Des Bremner and Peter Withe were to complete that championship-winning team. Dennis Mortimer was an inspirational captain, and it is remarkable that he was the only one of the three core players not to be capped by his country. As a manager Saunders first tasted success at Norwich, taking them to Division Two winners in 1972. A short spell at Manchester City followed, before he joined Villa in 1974.

He managed Villa to promotion from Division Two (1975), League Cup (1975 & 1977) and Championship (1981) success before walking out on the verge of the club's greatest achievement after a disagreement with the board. He moved on to manage Birmingham City and then WBA. Saunders built, in fact, not one team but three, but in each case using something of a similar formula. For example, for Gidman, Carrodus, Little and Gray of the 1977 team, read Swain, Bremner, Shaw and Withe in 1981. But in both those teams, the ï¿½engineï¿½ was Evans, Mortimer and Cowans. The common theme of all Saundersï¿½ teams was the capacity of the players to play for one another, and one other major ingredient - to be pretty quick greyhounds! Speed of thought and action was a pre-requisite to be successful in Saundersï¿½ teams. Saundersï¿½ teams played as they should - as a team.

None of the players signed had previously been household-names, but they were all very good players who just happened to come together at just the right time, with a good balance of youth and experience. To think that Saunders achieved what he did, losing some very good players to injury on the way (Robson, Pejic, Leonard, Cropley and Little), and also the loss of Gidman and Gray to other clubs, was nothing short of magnificent. But perhaps there was also a bit of that old Villa luck in the likes of Cowans, Mortimer, and Evans coming together between 1975 and 1977, and they sticking with it at a time when patience and loyalty were becoming rare characteristics amongst footballers. This dynamic trio were the core around which the rest of the team hung ï¿½ and the likes of Gary Shaw, Tony Morley, Des Bremner and Peter Withe were to complete that championship-winning team. Dennis Mortimer was an inspirational captain, and it is remarkable that he was the only one of the three core players not to be capped by his country.

<Close This View> 09-02-1982 to 18-06-1984 : Tony Barton [Tony Barton was previously assistant to Ron Saunders.]Barton's death [in 1993] was a surprise, but not a shock. He had suffered from ill-health for some time and although he had appeared fit and well at the European Champions anniversary dinner in April 1992, he underwent serious heart surgery a few months later, which left him unable to work. The financial problems brought about by the collapse of his employers, multiple sclerosis charity ARMS would not have helped. It was all a long way off the day when Tony Barton became an Aston Villa immortal. The background to Barton's finest hour is well documented [the surprise resignation of Ron Saunders and Tony Barton carrying on to lead the team in winning the European Cup in 1982], but the full extent of his influence on that team may never be known. Barton is said to have been responsible for the signing of several outstanding players who he had scouted for Villa, but asked for their names not to be published as he was not working for the club at the time.

Suffice to say that they formed the heart of both of Ron Saunders' great teams. Defending the championship is reckoned to be harder than winning it, and with hindsight it can be seen that during 1981-82 Villa had more than just die opposition on the pitch preventing them from doing themselves justice. Indeed Ron Saunders, it appears, was beginning to want the same control over other club matters that he deserved with the team and things cane to a head in February 1982. It is often overlooked just how perilous the position was at this point, with relegation still a possibility, but Barton steered the team to mid-table safety and the greatest prize in football. Barton's style of management was ideally suited by the way in which the Bendall's ran the Villa, yet things changed with the arrival of Ellis. Those associated with the club during the glory years were being gradually removed and Barton found himself sacked by a man who "would not tolerate anything but success". Six seasons and three managers were needed to get the club back to the position Barton left it in. That was the end of Tony Barton in big-time football, yet he kept involved in the game.

He became manager of Northampton , where he suffered his first heart attack. As assistant to Chris Nicholl at Southampton he was instrumental in keeping them in the first division. Falling out with Nicholl over playing styles Barton moved to Portsmouth , where he helped them to avoid relegation only to be let down by chairman Jim Gregory. Finally he joined the ARMS charity, but was left out of pocket when it collapsed ... From an article written by David Woodhall. [Tony Barton was previously assistant to Ron Saunders.] Barton's death [in 1993] was a surprise, but not a shock. He had suffered from ill-health for some time and although he had appeared fit and well at the European Champions anniversary dinner in April 1992, he underwent serious heart surgery a few months later, which left him unable to work. The financial problems brought about by the collapse of his employers, multiple sclerosis charity ARMS would not have helped. It was all a long way off the day when Tony Barton became an Aston Villa immortal.

The background to Barton's finest hour is well documented [the surprise resignation of Ron Saunders and Tony Barton carrying on to lead the team in winning the European Cup in 1982], but the full extent of his influence on that team may never be known. When speaking to him during what may have been the last interview he gave, he told me of several players who he had scouted for Villa, but asked for their names not to be published as he was not working for the club at the time. Suffice to say that they formed the heart of both of Ron Saunders' great teams. Defending the championship is reckoned to be harder than winning it, and with hindsight it can be seen that during 1981-82 Villa had more than just die opposition on the pitch preventing them from doing themselves justice. Indeed Ron Saunders, it appears, was beginning to want the same control over other club matters that he deserved with the team and things cane to a head in February 1982. It is often overlooked just how perilous the position was at this point, with relegation still a possibility, but Barton steered the team to mid-table safety and the greatest prize in football.

Much as I retain an enormous respect for Ron Saunders, I still don't think we could have done it without a change of manager. Barton's style of management was ideally suited by the way in which the Bendall's ran the Villa, yet things changed with the arrival of Ellis. Those associated with the club during the glory years were being gradually removed and Barton found himself sacked by a man who "would not tolerate anything but success". Six seasons and three managers were needed to get the club back to the position Barton left it in. That was the end of Tony Barton in big-time football, yet he kept involved in the game. He became manager of Northampton Town, where he suffered his first heart attack. As assistant to Chris Nicholl at Southampton he was instrumental in keeping them in the first division. Falling out with Nicholl over playing styles Barton moved to Portsmouth, where he helped them to avoid relegation only to be let down by chairman Jim Gregory. Finally he joined the ARMS charity, but was left out of pocket when it collapsed ...

<Close This View> 16-07-1984 to 14-09-1986 : Graham Turner Appointed on the strength of his miracle working at Shrewsbury , Turner found the pace of the top-flight something else entirely. Appointed on the strength of his miracle working at Shrewsbury, Turner found the pace of the top-flight something else entirely. <Close This View> 22-09-1986 to 08-05-1987 : Billy McNeill Former Glasgow Celtic playing icon - a member of their team that won the European Cup in 1967, the first British team to do so. His one season as manager of Villa led only to relegation. Former Glasgow Celtic playing icon - a member of their team that won the European Cup in 1967, the first British team to do so. His one season as manager of Villa led only to relegation.

<Close This View> 18-05-1987 to 14-07-1990 : Graham Taylor (1st period) Another recovery from relegation, this time with Graham Taylor at the managerial helm, and which nearly produced a championship win in 1989/90. The former manager of homely Watford, Taylor 's commendable purchase of Platt, Yorke, Neilsen and McGrath, the return of Gordon Cowans and the re-emergence of Tony Daley, left a rich vein of talent at the club on his departure, in 1990, to manage the England It is fair to say that Taylor did much that was right to re-set the player development aspects in the club, as well as leaving behind the core talent that he had brought in. He also showed that he had the ability to bring in less than high calibre players and yet make them better players. Another recovery, this time with Graham Taylor at the managerial helm, and which nearly produced a championship win in 1989/90.

The former manager of homely Watford, Taylor's commendable purchase of Platt, Yorke, Neilsen and McGrath, the return of Gordon Cowans and the re-emergence of Tony Daley, left a rich vein of talent at the club on his departure, in 1990, to manage the England national team. It is fair to say that Taylor did much that was right to re-set the player development aspects in the club, as well as leaving behind the core talent that he had brought in. He also showed that he had the ability to bring in less than high calibre players and yet make them better players. <Close This View> 22-07-1990 to 28-05-1991 : Jozef Venglos Impressed by the studious Czech's stewardship of his national side at Italia 90, Ellis promptly hired him. Nicknamed Dr No by the fans due to his reluctance to sign anyone. Venglos resigned after just one season at the club in which Villa came 17th. Impressed by the studious Czech's stewardship of his national side at Italia 90, Ellis promptly hired him.

Nicknamed Dr No by the fans due to his reluctance to sign anyone. Venglos resigned after just one season at the club in which Villa came 17th. <Close This View> 07-07-1991 to 10-11-1994 : Ron Atkinson (former Villa player) This former Villa reservist and successful manager of WBA, Man United and Sheffield Wednesday was a highly popular choice of manager. Atkinsonï¿½s signings were made with the intention of not only achieving success, but also to provide great entertainment. Atkinsonï¿½s players included Paul McGrath (inherited from Taylor ï¿½s time), Steve Staunton, Ray Houghton and Andy Townsend ï¿½ all of whom were stars in Jack Charltonï¿½s successful Irish international team. The quicksilver Welsh international attacker Dean Saunders was also brought in. The supporters were not disappointed, and with a Premiership runners-up spot and a League Cup win under his belt (on both occasions the other contender being Manchester United), it is unfortunate that Atkinson could not maintain the support of his chairman, Doug Ellis.

This former Villa reservist and successful manager of WBA, Man United and Sheffield Wednesday was a highly popular choice of manager. Atkinsonï¿½s signings were made with the intention of not only achieving success, but also to provide great entertainment. Atkinsonï¿½s players included Paul McGrath, Steve Staunton, Ray Houghton and Andy Townsend ï¿½ all of whom were stars in Jack Charltonï¿½s successful Irish international team. The quicksilver Welsh international attacker Dean Saunders was also brought in. The supporters were not disappointed, and with a Premiership runners-up spot and a League Cup win under his belt (on both occasions the other contender being Manchester United), it is unfortunate that Atkinson could not maintain the support of his chairman, Doug Ellis. <Close This View> 25-11-1994 to 24-02-1998 : Brian Little (former Villa player) Another popular choice of manager, Little had been a great player with Villa, and had recently acquired good managerial experience, latterly with Leicester City .

But with this new manager came a clearing out and re-stocking of players, and many of the old favourites were soon on their way - even including McGrath. One of Little's greatest successes (apart from another League Cup win) was the acquisition of Gareth Southgate, and the transformation of him into a central defender. After three quite good seasons near the top of the Premiership, again the seams began to wear, and Little left the club in a somewhat strange, silent manner. Another popilar choce of manager, Little had been a great player with Villa, and had recently acquired good managerial experience, latterly with Leicester City. But with this new manager came a clearing out and re-stocking of players, and many of the old favourites were soon on their way - even including McGrath. One of Little's greatest successes (apart from another League Cup win) was the acquisition of Gareth Southgate, and the transformation of him into a central defender. After three quite good seasons near the top of the Premiership, again the seams began to wear, and Little left the club in a somewhat strange, silent manner.

<Close This View> 25-02-1998 to 24-01-2002 : John Gregory (former Villa player) Gregory had come from lowly Wycombe Wanderers after being Littleï¿½s assistant at Villa, yet had pulled Villa up from a lowly league position after taking over from Little. His team went on to lose only one league match in the next 20 games, made the best-ever Villa start (12 games undefeated) at the start of 1998/99 and until Christmas had led the Premiership with an all-English team. This challenge fell away, however. Sadly, the urge for league success started to manifest signings that became of dubious relevance, and although Villa again lead the Premiership for a while in 2001/02, the feeling was that the squad was not coming together properly. Villa had also reached the FA Cup Final in 2000, but did not figure very well in that match against Chelsea For reasons known clearly only to Gregory, he resigned in early 2002.

Gregory had come from lowly Wycombe Wanderers yet had pulled Villa up from a lowly league position after taking over from Little. His team went on to lose only one league match in the next 20 games, made the best-ever Villa start (12 games undefeated) at the start of 1998/99 and until Christmas had led the Premiership with an all-English team. This challenge fell away, however. Sadly, the urge for league success started to manifest signings that became of dubious relevance, and although Villa again lead the Premiership for a while in 2001/02, the feeling was that the squad was not coming together properly. Villa had also reached the FA Cup Final in 2000, but did not figure very well in that match against Chelsea. For reasons known clearly only to Gregory, he resigned in early 2002.

<Close This View> 05-02-2002 to 14-05-2003 : Graham Taylor (2nd period) (John Deehan and Stuart Gray held the fort in the short interlude before Taylor) A lot had happened in the football world since Graham Taylor's previous appointment, and it is probably true to say that technically he was not as well equipped as he had been before. He was also subject to the Chairman's (Ellis's) own agenda of getting the club back on track, yet at the same time offloading many costly players that had come in the Gregory era. It was a difficult time, and Taylor made the exit without waiting to see the matter getting worse. A lot had happened in the football world since Graham Taylor's previous appointment, and it is probably true to say that technically he was not as well equipped as he had been before. He was also subject to the Chairman's (Ellis') own agenda of getting the club back on track, yet at the same time offloading many costly players that had come in in the Gregory era. It was a difficult time, and Taylor made the exit without waiting to see the matter getting worse.

<Close This View> 20-05-2003 to 19-07-2006 : David O'Leary This long-term Arsenal centre-back and Irish international joined Villa after leaving Leeds United, a club that had fallen into financial crisis. With Leeds (O'Leary's first managerial appointment after serving as assistant there under George Graham), O'Leary's teams had never finished out of the top 5, and had qualified for the European Championship. After a promising first season with Villa finishing 6th, it was downhill from then on, and O'Leary's departure was hastened by Mr. Ellis' refusal to see that perhaps he was also a big problem behind Villa's situation. When Randy Lerner purchased Aston Villa in 2006, O'Leary was obliged to leave, and (of course) Ellis was replaced as chairman of the club, by Lerner. Ellis remainedï¿½ as honorary president. This long-term Arsenal centre-back and Irish international joined Villa after leaving Leeds United, a club that had fallen into financial crisis.

With Leeds (O'Leary's first managerial appointment after serving as assistant there under George Graham) O'Leary's teams had never finished out of the top 5, and had qualified for the European Championship. After a promising first season with Villa finishing 6th, it was downhill from then on, and O'Leary's departure was hastened by Mr. Ellis' refusal to see that perhaps he was also a big problem behind Villa's situation. They both should have gone. <Close This View> 04-08-2006 to 09-08-2010: Martin O'Neill Former star and European-Cup winning player under Brian Clough, and proven manager at Leicester and Celtic. Aided by substantial funds by the Mr. Lerner, the club's new outright owner, O'Neill lifted Villa to three successive sixth places after his first season, and also gained two Wembley appearances in his final season. However, his mercurial approach meant that several players were sidelined not long after arriving, and, over time, tactical decisions and style of play became more questionable. Mr.

O'Neill did help to restore solidity and pride in the club during his tenure, and there were some very memorable wins including the equalling of the club's record away win (6-0) that had stood for nearly a century and the club's first win over Manchester United in the League for 14 years. He resigned after deciding he was not getting his way with regard to the transfer policy. Former star and European-Cup winning player under Brian Clough, and proven manager at Leicester and Celtic. Aided by substantial funds by the Mr. Lerner, the club's new outright owner, O'Neill lifted Villa to three successive sixth places after his first season, and also gained two Wembley appearances in his final season. However, his mercurial approach meant that several players were sidelined not long after arriving, and, over time, tactical decisions and style of play became more questionnable. Mr. O'Neill did help to restore solidity and pride in the club during his tenure, and there were some very memorable wins including the equalling of the club's record away win (6-0) that had stood for nearly a century and the club's first win over Manchester United in the League for 14 years.

He resigned after deciding he was not getting his way with regard to the transfer policy. <Close This View> 08-09-2010 (effective 20-09-2010) to 01-06-2011: (Stop-gap manager - since O'Neill's departure - Kevin McDonald, reserve team coach.) Gerard Houllier Successful manager of Liverpool 1998 to 2004 and subsequently in French football including being technical director to the French national side (a post he also occupied before joining Liverpool ). One of the shortest stays in Villa's history. Joining to take over from interim manager McDonald, his termï¿½ finally ended after this gentleman's sad re-occurrence of heart problems. He came into the job at the most unfortunate time and had to deal with a split dressing room situation and players' attitudes that were not as they should have been. This - combined with an alleged lack of sensitivity to the touchability of Villa fans - combined to raise a big voice against him, particularly when the team slipped to the relegation zone. However, he continued to engineer a good outcome, and with the help of the signing of Bent, piloted a recovery.

At this point his health problem set in, but the team continued its recovery under his general direction. Successful manager of Liverpool 1998 to 2004 and subsequently in French football including being technical director to the French national side (a post he also occupied before joining Liverpool). One of the shortest stays in Villa's history. Joining to take over from the interim manager Kevin McDonald, the third managerial appointment in one season finally ended after this gentleman's sad re-occurrence of heart problems. He came into the job at the most unfortunate time and had to deal with a split dressing room situation and players' attitudes that were not as they should have been. This - combined with a lack of sensitivity to the touchability of Villa fans - combined to raise a big voice against him, particularly when the team slipped to the relegation zone. However, he continued to engineer a good outcome, and with the help of the signing of Bent, piloted a recovery. At this point his health problem set in, but the team continued its recovery under his general direction.

<Close This View> 17-06-2011 to 14-05-2012: Alex McLeish Manager of Rangers and Scotland Birmingham City . Hence a controversial move across the town after leading City to League Cup triumph but also relegation. His period with the Villa was quite unsuccessful and drab. His period even saw a substantial reduction in attendances at Villa Park. Manager of Rangers and Scotland before joining Birmingham City. Hence a controversial move across the town after leading City to League Cup triumph but also relegation. His period with the Villa was quite unsuccessful and even saw a substantial reduction in attendances at Villa Park. <Close This View> 02-06-2012 to 11-02-2015: Paul Lambert Another Scottish manager, and former Scottish international midfielder. Lambert came from Norwich City after guiding them into the Premier League and a satisfactory first season, finishing in mid-table. This manager left short of completing three seasons and creating a number of the club's worst records in its history. His tenure was not entirely unsuccessful, having recruited a few players at bargain prices, but he also purchased players that came and went very quickly.

Another sad period with few memorable moments that left Villa at the brink of relegation. Another Scottish manager, this time coming from Norwich City after guiding them into the Premier League and a satisfactory first season, finishing in mid-table. 14-02-2015 to 25-10-2015: Tim Sherwood Former captain of the Blackburn Rovers Championship winning side of the 1990s. A young (46) and almost inexperienced manager - with only half-a-season at Spurs as his real qualification. But what he achieved at Spurs was quite a phenomenal turnaround, turning them from dour play into an attacking team and scoring around 40 goals in that period. Thought of as someone with a personality that can upset - but honest. Sherwood not only removed the threat of relegation but substantially raised Villa's goal tally and took Villa to an FA Cup Final. The next season, after losing his best four players, a new squad was assembled but mostly not as Sherwood wanted. A poor run of one win in 10 league matches resulted. On the day he was sacked, Sunderland's win against Newcastle took Villa to the bottom of the table.

02-11-2015 to 29-03-2016: Remi Garde (Stop-gap manager Kevin McDonald, reserve team coach.) French professional football coach and former player. During his career he won several honours, including the 1997ï¿½98 FA Premier League when with Arsenal (30 games over 3 years), and was capped by the France national team. Manager at Lyon between 2011 and 2014. Perhaps through little fault of his own, having inherited a fragile playing squad of insufficient character, his success level in 2015-16 was no better than the previous manager (only 2 wins added). Not being given any additional players in the January 'window' (despite apparent promises when he joined) certainly did not help the situation. He left with Aston Villa almost certainly relegated to the second tier, being 12 points adrift from safety with 7 games to go. Stop-gap manager Eric Black, Garde's former deputy, was in charge until end-2015-16 season.

02-06-2016 to 03-10-2016: Roberto di Matteo: A man with no lengthy managerial experience, but did have a period as manager at West Brom and getting them promoted to the Premier League, and (after leaving Albion) was appointed as assistant manager at Chelsea. Late in the 2011-12 season he was promoted to manager and helped Chelsea (his former playing club) to become the European Champions, as well as FA Cup winners. These achievements seem not to have been good enough for the club owner, as di Matteo was dismissed during the following season after 8 months in charge. He then spent an undistinguished year at Schalke. There followed an undistinguished four months at Villa, when Villa managed one win from 12 games overall and signs that despite a virtually new and expensive squad, the errors and shortcomings of the previous season had not been erased. His assistant Steve Clarke was appointed interim manager. 12-10-2016 to date: Steve Bruce: A man, like McLeish, who had a history of managing Birmingham City, but that was nearly 10 years prior.

Over 16 years he had a wealth of experience with clubs striving for promotion, and this was clearly the talent being looked for in this appointment. Another Scottish manager, this time coming from Norwich City after guiding them into the Premier League and a satisfactory first season, finishing in mid-table. <Close This View> Villa Players Who Became Managers of Major Teams Clem Stephenson (Succeeded Herbert Chapman at 1920s success team Huddersfield Town) George Stephenson (Huddersfield Town, following his brother Clem) Billy Walker (Sheffield Wednesday, Notts Forest) Eric Houghton (Villa) Phil Woosnam (Atlanta Chiefs (USA), NASL) Danny Blanchflower (Northern Ireland)

Question: Which man other than Billy McNeill and Martin O'Neil has managed both Aston Villa and Celtic?
Answer: DR JOSEF VENGLOS