In a new summer feature series, supporter Colin Abbott meets up with a series of ex-stars to discuss their time with Villa. Next up we chat to Gordon Cowans.
In three spells as a Villa player Gordon Cowans won everything from the Southern Junior Floodlit Cup to the League Cup, League Championship, European Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
Only two players in the club's history - Charlie Aitken and Billy Walker - have appeared more in the famous claret and blue colours.
And Cowans, who made a total of 527 first team appearances, has served at the club over the course of five decades.
Q] How did you come to sign for Villa?
A] The club first showed an interest when I was 10 and playing for my school team in Mansfield.
Villa's scout Neville Briggs recommended me and the club offered my parents the role of running the hostel for their apprentices on the Chester Road.
I signed apprentice forms in June 1974, the same month Ron Saunders arrived as manager.
Q] Who were your boyhood heroes?
A] The famous Manchester United trio of Best, Law and Charlton were my favourites.
George was a genius and could ghost past players; Denis was instinctive and a natural scorer; Bobby was a roving midfield player who could score from any distance.
Q] What was your most memorable match?
A] It can only be winning the European Cup. As a player it doesn't get any bigger than that.
Bayern Munich were phenomenal and had world-class players throughout the side but getting beaten never entered our heads.
We pressed them all over the pitch. We were lucky at times but we won.
Q] Who was your most difficult opponent?
A] It was a Spanish midfielder called Juan Lorenzo, who played for Anderlecht.
I came up against him in the European Cup semi-final and although he wasn't the best I'd played against, that night in Brussels I couldn't get near him.
He was clever on the ball and was technically very good.
Others worth mentioning have to be Maradona, during my time in Italy; Johan Cruyff and Johan Neeskens of Barcelona and also Michel Platini and Zbiginew Boniek of the great Juventus side of 1983.
Q] Who was the best player?
A] Well that's a difficult one to answer.
Tony Morley was fantastic on the wing for us, a naturally gifted wide man.
I was fortunate to play behind two great partnerships - Brian Little with Andy Gray and later Peter Withe alongside Gary Shaw.
Dennis Mortimer was not only a captain and leader but a fantastic player and my best partner.
Years later I struck up a good understanding with David Platt and I can't speak highly enough of Platty.
Q] What was your worst injury?
A] I broke my leg in a pre-season tour of Spain in 1983.
We were playing a Mexican side and I went for a short ball from Gary Shaw.
Their centre-half Andreus Manso came straight over the top of me with no intent to play the ball.
I somersaulted and when I looked down at my leg it was at 45 degrees and it hurt like hell.
While I was on the floor another one of their players booted the ball straight at me. Unbelievable!
Q] What was it like to play for your country?
A] I was proud and very privileged - it was an absolute honour.
I played seven consecutive games for England and then broke my leg but I would have loved to have played more times for the national team.
Q] How did you come to leave Villa?
A] The final time was when Ron Atkinson was manager.
Big Ron offered me a one year contract but he couldn't guarantee I'd play every week, more like half of the games.
With me nearing the end of my career and taking into account my age I made the decision to leave as I needed to be playing.
Sitting on the bench just picking up wages wasn't for me.
Q] Do you still see your team-mates?
A] Yes there are always a few of us at Villa Park matches.
We are still, after all these years, a tight-knit group and we meet up from time to time to go for a drink.
Q] Are you still involved in football?
A] I'm coaching the U21 development squad.
In old money, that's the reserves!
Q] Can you share a funny incident?
A] At the Bodymoor Heath training ground during pre-season we had to stand in bowls of surgical spirit, which toughens the skin and prevents blisters.
After one training session David Geddis was lying in the bath soaking with his eyes shut.
Tony Morley noticed this and he dared Eamonn Deacy to throw one of the bowls over Dave's head.
Eamonn did it! This spirit was purple and Dave's blond hair started turning a red/pink colour.
He went ballistic, and despite not having a stitch on, he chased Eamonn down the corridors and through the canteen!
Then he got changed and went into Birmingham to get his hair sorted out.
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