Andy Townsend discussed Brian Little, Unai Emery, Jack Charlton, Luciano Pavarotti and more on the latest episode of The Official Aston Villa Podcast.
The former Villa captain joined hosts Kate Tracey and Alan McInally at Bodymoor Heath for EP13 of the popular podcast, reflecting on his time at the club in which he won League Cup on two occasions in both 1994 and 1996 - the latter seeing him become the last skipper in claret and blue to lift silverware.
He described the side he played in under Little following his appointment as Villa boss in late 1994 as "probably the best team that I’ve seen here", comparing it to Emery's current crop.
Aston Villa Podcast EP13
The former Republic of Ireland international said: “You were never quite sure what Brian was thinking. You were never totally sure.
“When Brian came and he brought Gareth (Southgate) in, and Mark Draper came, and some of those boys coming in, I remember actually thinking: ‘I might be surplus, here.’
“I never thought for one minute there was no way he was getting rid of me. I thought he might, because I don’t think anyone really knew.
“I was very grateful and very thankful to be part of what turned out to be a really good team.
“I think in many ways, that team is probably the best team that I’ve seen here, and I think this current one is very, very similar.
“The football that Unai’s got these boys playing at the moment is brilliant, the football that Brian had us playing was really good.
“That team had the right blend of energy, of legs and experience. A bit of everything. I thought Brian pieced that together really well.
“That team was the best Villa team that I played in, that Brian Little team, because it had just the right balance everywhere.”
An insightful, hour-long episode also sees Townsend delve deeper into his international career, the highlight of which was a run to the quarter-finals of the 1990 World Cup in Italy, under Jack Charlton.
The former Leeds United defender's brief encounter with opera legend Luciano Pavarotti was described, while Townsend also revealed his current favourite player in Emery's side.
All that and more packs a fascinating 13th instalment of Villa's official podcast, available to watch, listen to and download now.
The Official Aston Villa Podcast is here!
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