Stuart Young

What is your name?
Stuart Young

How old are you?
22

What is your gender?
Male

What do you do for a living?
Resin Floor Layer (PolaFlooring)

What is your level of education?
Dropped out of school. Got lucky with my current job and grabbed the oppurtunity with both hands.

Do you hold any religious beliefs?
Nope.

Do you wish for your entry to be anonymous or under a pseudonym?
Not fussed, would be nice if you could mention www.avillafan.com.

What Stand do you sit in?
K4 of the Upper Holte End.

How long have you been going to Villa Park?
For as long as I can remember now. I remember one of my first games was against Leeds on a sunny day. I'm pretty sure we beat them 2-0.

Can you describe some of your favourite goals?
Two goals have always stood out for me. Dalian Atkinson against Wimbledon. I'm pretty sure everyone knows about this goal - it was voted the greatest Aston Villa Premier League goal. The way he just ran past all those players and kept his calm to put it in the back of the net - priceless.

Another one for me would be Savo Milosevic's goal against Leeds in our 3-0 League Cup win. Everyone knows Savo's reputation but he will always be remembered for that goal.

Can you tell us about your favourite players?
My all time favourite player has always been Paul McGrath. As a youngster I looked up to him as my idol. The way he just made everything look so simple. He never had pace - he didn't do anything fancy. Just simple and was a rock in the backline.

Another would have to be Andy Townsend. I loved the way he commanded the midfield and always looked 110% commited. I also played football against his son when I was younger and Andy came up to me after the game to shake my hand and told me I had a good game.

What are your favourite Villa-related moments?
Beating Coventry that got them relegated will always be one for me. 2-0 down and come back with a spectacular goal from Paul Merson to win 3-2 and send them down. The atmosphere that day was simply electric and noone can argue that it was a quality game of football.

Another would be the victory against Birmingham City at St Andrews this season. I haven't been able to get to there ground since they've come up and the atmosphere from the Villa boys was great. £45 was a lot to pay for a ticket but seeing your side beat your rivals on there own turf is just priceless.

Away days with Villa are always pretty special too. The way all the fans become one and everyone gets on with eachother.

What would be your best-ever eleven players (plus 5 subs) and why?
I'm going to do this in my time as a Villa fan and not the days of the European days when I wasn't born.

1. Mark Bosnich - In his day he was the best goalkeeper in the league. Not a lot got past Bozzie and you could always guarantee to get your entertainment value from him.

2. Fernando Nelson - Nelson wasn't at Villa for very long but I loved his attitude. He would come in do a good job and you wouldn't hear another word from him. Was always sorry to see him leave.

3. Alan Wright - Little Alan Wright - what can I say about him. What a player. And despite him being one of the smallest players in the league, he was never bullied off the ball or backed out of a tackle. And he didn't score many but when he did, they were always great goals.

4. Paul McGrath - No team would be complete without this man in your team. Best defender to ever play in the league - no questions asked.

5. Olof Mellberg - I would have loved to see Olof play alongside God. These two together in their prime - I don't think any other defensive partnership could come close to these pair.

6. Gareth Barry - or should I say Mr Aston Villa. This lad has been around forever and hes still got plenty left in him. Its great to finally see him in a England shirt. Would love to see him finish his career here.

7. Ian Taylor - Down to earth guy and always gave 110% to the cause. Was Villa through and through and always wore the shirt with pride.

8. Andy Townsend - Another who always gave his all. What a great captain he was.

9. Dwight Yorke - A lot of fans didn't like the way he left the club, or the fact he played for Small Heath. But have we ever replaced him? I don't think so.

10. Dean Saunders - Wasn't at villa long but scored loads and when him and Dwight were on top form, not many were touching them.

11. Paul Merson - The magic man himself. He could turn a game on its head in minutes. I will never forget when he scored that volley in the last minute at Everton.

Subs:

David James - I think he began to turn his career around at Villa Park. Was a shame to see him leave.

Gareth Southgate - We made him the player he was, the international defender. He could ohave been a Villa legend.

Tommy Johnson - This may be a unusual choice for many but Tommy was always a favourite of mine. His cheeky smile and the way he played the game. I loved him.

Lee Hendrie - Lee got a lot of stick at Villa for rumours he was a bluenose. Could anyone question his colours for the way he played for our club. I will never forget his debut at QPR when he got sent off.

Tony Daley - His hair stands out for me. But the way he used to run down the wings was great, he would take anybody else on and no matter how many kicks he took he would always get back up.

Why are you a Villa fan?
Well mainly because its in my family blood like most. Although my dad is a bluenose and he did try and get me to be a fan offering to buy me season tickets for life etc, but there was always only one club for me - my local club - Aston Villa FC.

Can you tell us about some important moments in your Villa supporting life and where they were?
My first game away from Villa Park stood out for me. I think we played Celta Vigo or someone like that in the Inter Toto cup at the Hawthorns. Until that moment I never thought about going to away games, that soon changed.

The last game of the 2006-07 season when the European Cup winning team came onto the pitch. The atmosphere that day was simply amazing and it felt like Aston Villa were Champions of Europe. What I would give to live that day we lifted that cup.

What incidents have you been present at (on/off field)?
When I was younger I was coached by Villa staff in the Academy (formely known as Stumps). I then got a tour around the ground, getting to sit in the baths in the changing room and even having a peek in then chairman Doug Ellis's office.

When you mention incidents I cant help but think you're talking about trouble. If it is the case then I've seen a lot of it at Villa Park on and off the field. Who would forget the Dion nutted Savage incident? Or in the same game when Joey Gudjohnsson got sent off?

Then you have the game that sent Coventry City down, the temperature was at boiling point and didn't you know it when you got out of the ground.

Can you tell us any interesting/little known fact about yourself in connection with Aston Villa?
Well if you were to ask my family, my girlfriend or even friends they would tell you that even at the age of 22 I eat, sleep and drink Aston Villa. I talk about the club as if its a member of the family and you can guarantee - even if I'm in America, I would talk about Villa on a daily basis.

What has been your worst ever Villa-related moment?
When I was just a young kid, Villa played Birmingham in a pre-season friendly and as a young kid I was terrified for my life. Seeing grown men run round with knives - the police wouldn't help us because we were Aston Villa and we were treated like criminals that night.

Why do you continue to support the club?
As the saying goes, Aston Villa is my religion and Villa Park is my church. You would never swap your religion would you? So you don't swap your colours either. Villa 'til I die!

What changes would you make to any aspect of Aston Villa in order to improve the experience?
I would like some money spent at the club so we can begin to win things again, the future is looking rosy again. I would fill in all the corners at the Villa and invite some of the 'older' boys back down to get some of the classic chants going.

Make Villa park into a fortress.

Is there a defining moment in your life as a Villa fan?

What memorable moments can you tell us about?

Are there any family influences?
Yes I have a massive family with my grandparents being Irish - they had 10 kids. Who all have kids so I have a lot of aunties and uncles. There's 1 or 2 that support West Brom, and my dads side are Blues but otherwise my whole family are Villa.

Where did you grow up/do you live and has that influenced you?
I grew up in Kingstanding, Birmingham - which is a pretty much Aston Villa area. It had no influence on who I supported but its nice to have people with similar interests living close.

What have been the influence of clubs/fans (if any) in those areas?

How and why did you come to support Aston Villa?
As I said already, a family influence mainly and the fact they are my local side.

What is your first memory of the club?
Will never forget when I got my 1993 Mark Bosnich goalkeeper kit. I felt so proud, I used to go to school with the whole kit on, including the socks pulled up to my knees.

What would you do to improve the overall Villa Park experience?
I wouldn't improve anything. I love the whole Aston Villa experience. Maybe a full attendance every week and some decent singing pubs around the ground on a matchday but that's about it.

Do you have a Villa-related claim to fame?
I've been in the Evening Mail a few times in the crowd. Last one being when we were at St Andrews this season. My mom said I was on Sky Sports before also at a game.

How do you see the club progressing?
I firmly believe its just a matter of time before we start to win trophies again. I cant wait to go on a European tour either - will be my first with the Villa.

How long have you supported Aston Villa?
My whole life.

Do you �follow� any other clubs?
Not really, I tend to have a bit of a soft spot for Celtic, but its only really Aston Villa for me.

What teams in other sports do you support?
None, I'm a football fan through and through.

What hobbies and interests do you have outside of supporting Aston Villa?
Well I run a Aston Villa fansite as you know, otherwise i like socialising with friends in pubs and clubs. I love holidays, going to gigs and of course my car.

Do you go Home, Away, both or are you an armchair/pub supporter? Why?
Home and Away - would like to go to every away game, but the game this day and age is just to expensive so its not possible.

Is there an established family history following the Villa and what does the future hold?
Well my uncles used to go to the Villa and still do, now I do with my brother and cousins. So who knows?

What Villa-related pictures have meaning for you?
I always love pictures of the stadium. I think we have one of the best stadiums around and that always makes me smile.

Have you ever been �inside� the ground and if so, what impressed you the most?
I did a tour a few years back and loved the place but my girlfriend works at the Villa and she said they have redone everything. New leather chairs etc. As for being in the ground I love it. I love how the Holte End is the main stand and how Trinity Road stands out. The only thing I would do is sort the North Stand out if anything, however I believe they have plans to do that.

What are your views on the past, present and future of Aston Villa?
You cant argue with Villa's past really. We are one of the most successful footballing sides in the country. The present now looks good. It feels like once again we can achieve things that some of us thought we may never see in our lifetime. I believe that we will be challenging for honours if the hard work being put into the club continues.

Do you possess any memorabilia that is particularly special to you and could you explain its meaning?
Yes I have a signed 1994 Aston Villa League cup final shirt signed by the winning team - well the first trophy Villa had won in my lifetime so it meant so much to me. And I also have a teamsheet signed by every player to play in the 1957 FA Cup Final with a winning medal. My grandad gave it me because he supports Birmingham so this also means a lot to me.

Do you have any special emotional attachment to a part of the club?

What are the views of your friends and family to your supporting Aston Villa?
I think most of my family just see it as a normal thing as they all do the same. I think sometimes my mom worries when we go to high profile games etc. She always phones to make sure I'm home safe.Aww bless her.

Has supporting Aston Villa affected your lifestyle? If so, how?
You ask most people who know me and they will tell you just how much Aston Villa mean to me. I love Villa that much I encouraged my girlfriend to get a job there. I'm always getting the newest shirts, checking for the latest news. Until recently I would say Aston Villa was my life. After personal problems I now realise that Villa pay a massive part of my life but there's so much more to life.

Have you ever supported/followed another club? If so, what made you change your allegiance?
No I'm against people swapping sides. Once you choose your colours you don't change. You wouldn't change your religion now would you?

Do you feel that away games are for the fan or the family?
Away games are more the fan. Simply because you never know whats awaiting you. I would never take my family with me.

What changes have you seen that are for the better/worse (prices, atmosphere, obscenities, TV, fans etc)?
I think TV has wrecked football single handedly. I love a Saturday 3pm kick off which you don't see many of these days. Prices have also gone up, which isn't good for your average football fan.

If you use a pseudonym on the internet, what is the meaning/reason behind the name choice?

Do you have anything else to add?

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