You cannot afford to rely on history, you have to make it.
Martin O'Neill
Showing posts with label AVFCOfficial. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AVFCOfficial. Show all posts
Monday, 10 September 2018
Friday, 13 January 2017
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Graham Taylor OBE
“Very few of us have any idea whatsoever of what life is like living in a goldfish bowl,
except, of course, for those of us who are goldfish.”
Graham Taylor
Graham Taylor
It was 1995 at a London Welsh RFC dinner that a business partner ironically also named, Graham Taylor, arranged a table at the London Hilton on Park Lane for group of us. Our guests that evening were Graham and Rita Taylor, who at the time were living the aftermath of EURO 92 and the failure to qualify for USA’94 that previous summer. The two Graham’s were friends since the football mad had been at Aston Villa where had managed up to receiving the England call. The friendship only broken on January 12th 2017 when the footballing man was taken from us far too soon. Yet the man I first knew during those darker times now looks set to leave a legacy for those who didn’t know him so well in no doubt about his qualities as a human being. As well as the esteem with which he was held by those in the footballing game.
During life, he was armed with a deep understanding of people, the game of football, the issues that involve players and the challenges of club staff. Coupled with an innate pursuit of excellence that few associated him with until they worked up close and personal with him. The testament being awarded the OBE for services to the game which he secreted to me in a Heathrow Hotel when I was trying to get his view on football agents. An area where he had very strong thoughts and was passionately concerned about. In fact, directness was the way he dealt with most things in life, both the good and the bad. Yet concerned for people and singularly dedicated to his family; wife, Rita, daughters, Karen and Joanne and the grandchildren.
But like a man of his generation and from working class roots in Worksop, Taylor never feared a heavy work load or tough looking challenge. Over more recent years as a pundit he revelled in the workloads and radio schedules all offering him that continued involvement with the game that at one time had become fragile. Which in July 1992 he must have believed was all over when England were dumped out of the European Championships in Sweden. Especially as the Premier League had just been invented and his star was diminished since leaving the First Division heights with a strong reputation at Aston Villa. Though there was an improvement in the 1994 World Cup qualifying campaign initially it all unravelled at the end of 1993 against Holland in Rotterdam and then San Marino at Wembley. All of which became indelibly marked on the national psyche when the Channel 4 fly on the wall documentary – The Impossible job – brought him into the vernacular with the phrase – “Do I not Like that”.
The latter the downside perhaps of Taylor’ amicable nature towards a media which was intending originally to make a positive story about qualification for USA’94 initially and delivered a close-up of what really goes on pitch side when England lost out. Showing the non-footballing public – who would not have been aware of what goes on I the dugout - the gory details. Let’s not forget this was pre-Sky Sports where now there are cameras everywhere and all at angles capturing all sorts of unacceptable phrases. But the consequences for Graham Taylor ensured a lifelong infamy and a certain unemployability in the game for the immediate post England term. Accompanied by a public outcry about lack of National success once again and ensuring his own mood was sombre for some time after he left the Wembley tunnel that last time. For there were few who could match his love for all things England – be it in football, cricket, athletics or any other sport. Resulting in a fall from grace that had only five years prior seen him taking his Villa side to runners-up spot behind Liverpool.
The added complication of ending Gary Lineker’s career in that final match against Sweden, when he substituted the England striker, also ended the dream of equalling Sir Bobby Charlton’s goal scoring record. Only adding the negative news already in full flow on the Red Tops. Even if in truth Lineker didn’t look likely to score even if he had stayed all night and played through the midsummer solstice. But in what was deemed a courageous move the facts recorded a defeat for Taylor and an end to the EURO 92 campaign. Yet outstanding the measure of Lineker on hearing the sad news was one of genuine sorrow on Twitter for a man he no doubt at one time must have genuinely disliked. But that was the essence of Graham. A totally likeable man even if you didn’t agree always with his footballing view.
At Watford I often attended in matches where Graham and Elton John had built that football dream that we all learned about through sat and Greavsie. And some days at the pre-match drinks, even during his second coming, it would be a who is who in the director’s area and all joined together by the enthusiasm of their club manager. Who had stirred the Hornets’ nest from the very first day he arrived in 1977 and led them to the FA Cup Final in 1984. Under his management and some very talented players the club moved from Division Four to the First over six seasons. No mean feat for a man so tagged with the label of the long ball. A term always to deride the successful style of play. Totally ignoring the names Luther Blissett and John Barnes within whom lay a serious level of talent and ability. In his second coming to Watford in 1996 he was accompanied by Blissett and at a later stage, Kenny Jacket, both of whom were vital parts that success in the 1980’s.
A team that also included many others who became household heroes; the likes of Steve Sims, Pat Rice, Ross Jenkins, Dave Johnson and Gerry Armstrong. Many of whom would attended gatherings at his home where you could other legends just as easily. The likes of Peter Bonnetti coming to mind which highlighted the respect the former Lincoln City player had within the game. The reason undoubtedly being his personality and an intense love for the beautiful game to almost an academic level. Always reluctant to talk too much about himself and empathetic to those in his company. In fact, he took interest in other people and their families. So, it is no accident that our second daughter was named after his granddaughter Rhianna and never would a Christmas pass without a card from Graham and Rita - a lasting testimony to their generosity and friendship.
Intermixed at times with some football chin wagging or quick fact checking about some job he might have been approached about. Or vice versa. Including the Republic of Ireland where whispers had reached him during the interregnum prior to the arrival of Giovanni Trapattonni that there was some interest and he sought my counsel. As always exchanges with Graham were direct, highly informative, courteous, and full of that unique wisdom he had gained from his life experiences. The post England era the most troubled for him as his faced the aftermath of The Sun’s hurtful front page headline. Undoubtedly that alone took its toll although he recovered for the most part. But it was never fully forgotten. Nor should it have been given the nasty content.
Yet it never clouded his dealings with football people, as he used to like to say. But certainly, made him more sceptical of the press. A sad thing for him given his father was a newspaper man at Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph and as he had so willing to help any journalist seeking his thoughts. It was that media familiarity too that enabled his rehabilitation take place almost unnoticed and a transition from exile back to front line punditry. Probably camouflaged by the treatment meted out to his successors at Lancaster Gate and subsequently at FA HQ in Soho Square. All of whom received less personal abuse perhaps but much the same pain and softened by more mega salaries that were not proffered in Grahams’ era. A benefit he was happy to enjoy when he made the return to Aston Villa in 2002 having never managed in the Premier League.
However, it was a return that started at a revamped Molineux when he was convinced to return to the game in late 1995 to work for Sir Jack Hayward at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Coming close to winning promotion in his first season with precious few changes to the club squad and unluckily losing out to Bolton Wanderers in the return leg at Burnden Park. At the beginning of his second season he turned to a former Villa favourite, Tony Daley, whom he capped for England, to make the move but any progress was marred by injury. Daley failing to deliver for Wolves alongside the other names he brought in; Dean Richards, Steve Froggat and Don Goodman. Leaving Graham unable to ignite the renewed playing squad and the added background noise increasing when Taylor tried to sell club legend Steve Bull to Coventry. The combined pressure to his resignation in November 1995.
During those days at Wolves he also bought the little-known Robbie Keane and I always remember Graham describing the young Dubliner’s bright eyes as the one thing that stood out from their first ever meeting. It was one of the many links this man from Worksop continued with Irish players over the years. Most notably fulfilled with Paul McGrath at Aston Villa and a player whose career was prolonged by the vision of Taylor and physio, Jim Walker, about training. Mostly based on protecting McGrath’s deteriorating knees with a balanced of rest and bike training. The programme allowing the Inchicore man to be part of that infamous Giants Stadium victory over Italy in USA 1994. A real surprise given an FAI doctor had told me in Sevilla in 1988 at a World Cup qualifying match that the former Manchester United player would have to retire early his knees were so bad. But that never happened until 1998.
It was Taylor who offered Villa as the refuge for McGrath when Alex Ferguson broke the Kevin Moran, Bryan Robson, Norman Whiteside and McGrath drinking club in the mid-nineties. The mutual affection the two men shared was always clear when Paul spoke and reflected the breadth of Taylor’s personality as well as his man management skills – always going beyond just the football. I also remember being at Vicarage Road one day when agent Mel Stein was in to extend a deal for Irish international David Connolly, a player Taylor inherited on his return to Watford. And faced with a stack of videos Graham was canvassing for an opinion on the Irish winger and I saw my life flash before me. But with Graham opinions were all worth something and he was earnestly seeking to learn other people’s views - if they had them – before happily making the decisions himself.
The net result for Connolly was a move to Excelsior in Holland which proved better in terms of playing minutes and his longer-term career. As it was for the skilful former Finn Harps and Derry City goal scorer Kevin McHugh, who Graham brought on trial to Aston Villa for a few weeks. As always, he cared about these player’s welfare and recognising McHugh’s talent just felt that at the age he was a stint in the second team to get more experience was just coming at the wrong age for him. On that occasion getting Taylor’s feedback for Finn Harps was a lesson in people management and player welfare that many could – and should – emulate. The game is filled with too many damaged hopes and shattered illusions of young players who travelled to England in search of footballing fame.
Steve Staunton was the last of the Irish stalwarts to play at Villa on Taylors return in 2002 and the Drogheda man came back on a free transfer from Liverpool after his loan spell at Crystal Palace. The two-stayed close and Taylor pro-offered Stan advice often and more particularly when he was sacked as the Ireland manager only half way through his deal with the Football Association of Ireland. As both men, had walked the same line at a stage in their lives albeit the Irish man had much less experience on the bench given his extended playing career. Almost twice the years Taylor had played given his early retirement from injury at the age of 27. But that was Graham - always generous with his time and advice - to those who sought it. But it was the scarred people’s perception of him as a person for many years which came with a level of abuse that had little to do with football.
His term at England was not as bad as people believe in terms of results, or indeed in comparison to some of his successors. Yet Graham’s tenure was unforgivable simply for failure to qualify for USA’94 and the result against San Marino. Triggering that testy relationship with the media that has since ended the term of almost every England manager ever since. Starting with his immediate successor Terry Venables after Euro 96, then Glenn Hoddle after the France 98, and then Sven Goran Erickson and Steve McClaren. The latter being tagged as the Brollie Man. And highlighted again last summer with Roy Hodgson’s demise within hours of England’s’ exit in EURO 2006. However, the experience that Taylor and his family lived through post 1993 would suggest that the job is still an impossible one. Perhaps more sensible to offer it to International names who may be less emotionally involved in the fate of England. Which will be the big test for Gareth Southgate who would not be dissimilar to Taylor in some ways to his thoughts on the game or commitment to detail.
In 2002 Taylor chose to join the Premier League at Aston Villa after Doug Ellis made him an offer that ensured his role at the club would extend from just being a board member. Yet the longer-term aspirations Graham called for at the club - after finishing 16th in his first season - were not on his Chairman’s agenda. So, Taylor then stepped down and left a cub where he had also built a reputation. By this time, Graham had become softer on the eye for the most part and there was no more of the vitriol he had lived through after 1994. As a result, Graham became a regular pundit for the BBC and his voice illuminated many a game on the radio. Now as we reflect on his loss it is good to hear his life being recalled in its fullest glory by many friends. As indeed it should be.
For Rita, Karen and Joanne there are no unknowns with their husband, father and grandfather as Graham was a loving and kind man. But for the public there will be some new insights and this recognition is not only right – but natural justice.
For those who knew him well – and there are many – there is little consolation for his shockingly sad early passing and the loss of a truly good man. But it is refreshing that finally his life’s work can be seen in a more complete form. His humanity applauded, a love of family lauded and his contribution to the beautiful game so highly valued.
"So goodbye yellow brick road
Where the dogs of society howl
You can't plant me in your penthouse
I'm going back to my plough"
Sir Elton John
OSM - All rights reserved
Thursday, 12 January 2017
Graham Taylor OBE 1944 - 2017
Graham Taylor is widely regarded as Watford’s greatest ever manager and, despite a turbulent and ultimately doomed spell in charge of England, became one of football’s most respected figures during a career that spanned almost 50 years.
Taylor was born on September 15th, 1944 in Worksop in Nottinghamshire to his mother Dorothy, a postwoman, and father Thomas, a sports reporter for the Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph and from whom he first learned his love of the game.
Taylor joined the youth ranks at Scunthorpe but transferred to Grimsby in 1962, the club where he reverted from an inside-forward to full-back and went on to play 189 league matches.
In 1968, Taylor was bought by Lincoln for £4,000 and he played 151 games for the Imps, captaining the side before retiring in 1972 due to a serious hip injury.
A premature end to a respectable, if unspectacular, playing career gave Taylor the chance to pursue a long-held interest in coaching, having already qualified as the youngest-ever Football Association staff coach aged 21.
He took the manager’s job at Lincoln and guided the club to the Fourth Division title in 1976.
Taylor had gained a reputation as one of the country’s brightest young coaches and in 1977 was approached by Watford chairman Elton John, who had initially wanted Bobby Moore, but turned to Taylor on the glowing recommendation of England manager Don Revie.
Taylor was not immediately convinced. After all, Watford were languishing in the Fourth Division, from which he had just earned promotion, and when John stated his ambition for the Hornets to be playing in Europe, Taylor rolled his eyes.
Hoping to dampen the pop star’s lofty expectations, Taylor said it would cost the club almost a million pounds.
Five seasons and three promotions later, Watford had finished second in the First Division, ahead of Manchester United, and qualified for the Uefa Cup.
It was one of the most rapid and remarkable surges English football has ever seen. Inspired by the young winger John Barnes and a lethal striker in Luther Blissett, Watford beat Arsenal twice, Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton.
They finished runners-up, second only to Bob Paisley’s Liverpool, while Blissett ended the campaign top scorer with 27 goals in the league, 33 overall.
Taylor forged a team that was not only successful on the pitch but engaging off it, a ‘community club’ in the true sense of the phrase in a way that would be unrecognisable today.
Players regularly visited supporters at work, free of charge or any marketing motive, and when Taylor first arrived he took to the streets of Watford to ask fans for their views. At a time when football was plagued by hooliganism, the club stood as a beacon of cohesion and local harmony.
Taylor steered Watford to the third round of the Uefa Cup the following season as well as the FA Cup final, where they lost to Everton, but despite establishing their status in the First Division, they could never match the heady heights of 1983.
Taylor sought a new challenge at Aston Villa, whom he led to second place in 1990, an achievement that prompted the FA to come calling.
Early scepticism about Taylor’s lack of major trophies eased when England lost just once in his first 21 games at the helm but things quickly turned sour at Euro 92 when a surprise 2-1 defeat to Sweden ensured the team failed to make it out of their group.
Taylor was heavily criticised for his decision to substitute Gary Lineker with the score at 1-1 and the Sun’s reaction was particularly vicious, their headline ‘Swedes 2 Turnips 1’, accompanied by a picture of Taylor’s head as a turnip. It became the enduring emblem of his tenure.
On the pitch, an ageing and injury-afflicted England then failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup following a miserable campaign that included crucial defeats to Norway and Holland.
Key absentees and unfortunate refereeing decisions certainly played their part but Taylor never extracted the maximum from his most talented players and later admitted the job came too soon in his coaching career.
A television documentary called ‘An Impossible Job’, granted behind-the-scenes access to Taylor’s final months in charge, revealed in graphic detail the strain he had endured.
After a brief period at Wolves, Taylor returned for a second spell at Watford, where he recovered his old touch with back-to-back promotions to the Premier League.
This time, however, the Hornets could not avoid relegation and Taylor announced his decision to retire in 2001 — although not before becoming only the third manager to oversee 1,000 league games in England, following Brian Clough and Jim Smith.
He was tempted out of retirement and back to Aston Villa in 2002 but it was a short stay and a move Taylor later admitted he regretted.
In retirement, Taylor spent his time working as a television and radio pundit for the BBC while also helping Watford through a period of financial difficulty.
He served as the club’s chairman from 2009 until 2012 and a stand at Vicarage Road was renamed the Graham Taylor Stand in his honour in 2014. Taylor remained a cherished contributor to the town’s charity and community events and he was made an Honorary Freeman of the borough in 2001.
Graham leaves his wife Rita and two daughters, Joanne and Karen.
#RIP
#Grismby #Lincoln #Watford #AVFC #Wolves # England
Monday, 13 June 2016
Is O'Neill the Sorcerer's Apprentice
Martin O’Neill it is, seemingly, for the Republic of Ireland vacancy barring any mishap, change of mind, or appearances of other interested candidates. Or indeed the fact that O’Neill may not even want the post. Albeit newspaper reports this week indicate that the former Northern Ireland international may have met the Football Association of Ireland interviewing duet, Dokter and Houghton. However, it maybe just a formality as other reports scream that Ipswich Town’s Mick McCarthy is rather keen too. But has yet to be spoken to by the interviewers.
Although the return of McCarthy is hard to fathom in many ways, beyond perhaps the obvious – that much enhanced pay scale that now rates to the FAI position – as he already lived the dream in 2002. Coming close to Jack Charlton’s record from 1990 and almost getting Ireland to the quarterfinals. Proving just a penalty too far for Mick’s squad in Japan over a decade ago. To relive a lesser dream now seems unusual rare, unless your name is Gus Hiddink, who has no fear about returning to former clubs once, twice or even three times.
O’Neill’s name though has been long touted as the preferred choice for the FAI, even on previous occasions. But the decision was impossible for very understandable personal reasons at the time for him to take the role. Though in 2006 he did resurface at Aston Villa where he lasted four years and handled speculation along the way that he was England boss in waiting material. Or indeed even Liverpool bound soon after Rafa Benitez was axed at Anfield.
But as Brian Clough once said about O’Neill “If he'd been English or Swedish, he'd have walked the England job."
On the field though Martin achieved some magic with Villa and in the 2008/09 was at one point on target to clinch a top four Premier League place. However as it is with football those dreams fell apart when a loss in the UEFA Cup led to a lengthy losing streak in the League which ended the hopes long harboured at Villa Park of a return to the Champions League.
His premature departure - virtually at the start of the 2010 season - earned him no friends as he left the Villains very much in the lurch in pre-season. And without any added silverware if the analysis were to be fulsome, his reputation was somewhat tarnished. As winning was something he had regularly done at Celtic during his five year tenure. Then reappearance at Sunderland at the end of 2011, in the wake of previous Gaffers Niall Quinn, Roy Keane, Ricky Sbrigia, Steve Bruce and Eric Black seemed uncharacteristic.
However it was a club he had supported seemingly all his life and in some way that made sense of his choice.
Time though was to prove that dreams and success are very different things and O’Neill parted company with Sunderland in the spring of 2013. Again without any silverware or additional personal honours from those gained at Wycombe Wanderers and Leicester City – in his early days of management - in the last Century.
But it is as a player that Martin O’Neill’s achievements cannot be faulted, twice a Champions League medal winner, First Division winner of the equivalent of the Premier League today, twice a League Cup Champion and then Super Cup winner in 1979. All achieved with the modest outfit put together by Brian Clough at the City Ground under the name Nottingham Forest. A team that went out and redistributed most of the trophies in Europe for about five years.
Their classic rivalry with the mighty Liverpool in the late 1970’s stuff of legend. As was there first European title won in Munich in 1979 against Malmo.
A feat repeated at the Santiago Bernabeu the following year against the might of Kevin Keegan’s Hamburger SV, albeit both matches were won by just a single goal, they were still won. Still one of the teams to ever retain the European Cup trophy the others being Ajax, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Benfica, Liverpool, AC Milan and Inter Milan. Exalted company it has be said, especially considering where Nottingham Forest is today in the 21st Century.
O’Neill was also part of a Northern Ireland team that reached consecutive World Cup Finals in 1982 and four years later in Mexico. Playing only in the qualifying campaign for 1986. The appearance in Spain being the most renowned as they beat the hosts - against all pre-tournament odds - and were rewarded with a quarterfinal stage in Madrid. Losing out to France one Sunday afternoon that July, understandably unable to repel the might of Michel Platini, Dominique Rocheteau, Alain Giresse, Jean Tigana, Marius Tresor, and Genghini at the Estadio Vicente Calderon.
But it was a memorable party at the Alameda Hotel that night. The team able to go home with heads held high having reached beyond their own dreams and Gerry Armstrong’s cracking goal in Valencia the abiding memory.
In Mexico four years later it was a different story and O’Neill was to miss out due to a chronic knee injury. Perhaps fortunate as passage forward that time was never going to be easy. Particularly at altitude and after drawing with Algeria in the first game, leaving the vital meeting with Spain all about payback for 1982. Then followed by a 3-0 loss to the Brazil.
On leaving Forest in 1981 O’Neill became somewhat of a journeyman with spells at Manchester City, Norwich City, Notts County, Chesterfield, Fulham and Swindon. Never able to recreate that magic of the Clough era from earlier years. Where a group of "has beens" and "unknowns" marched on Europe.
Clough and Peter Taylor gathered from Liverpool one Larry Lloyd; Frank Clark from Newcastle; John McGovern from Leeds United, then Birmingham's Kenny Burns; Banks understudy Peter Shilton; local lad Ian Bowyer, non-league find Gary Birtles, and also the irrepressible John Robertson already in house. Boosted then by the shrewd purchase in 1979 of the first million pound player, Trevor Francis. The team’s strength simply being the sum of all the funny individual parts all playing a passion game.
Of all the players in those two Champions League final teams, O’Neill remains the only one who has managed with any consequence. Holding the on-going spirit of those Clough days as his reference, and one of the few that still bears those secrets. Roy Keane perhaps another. Although the Clough of the 1990's was sadly not the same as the one that dominated Europe two decades previous.
Albeit Cloughie could still obviously spot a class player from a 100 paces.
Whether this record constitutes grounds for O’Neill to be an International manager, and one who brings success, is anyones guess. The only factor in favour being he is now older and further down his career path that a part time jobs might seemingly work better. As such partnerships when taken earlier in the managerial apprenticeship, like Mark Hughes at Wales, Steve McLaren at England, don’t work. Or with Nigel Worthington at Northern Ireland another case in point.
The FAI also wiser from their time with the playing legend that was Steve Staunton, during his time as Irish boss.
Younger managers prefer the day to day action of club football and the long intervals at National level are very frustrating. At one time too the national jobs attracted lesser pay-packets. But those days have also changed. Especially at the FAI where they now offer princely sums for a managerial post and a backroom team. All rather disproportionate for a national side ranked 60th or so in the FIFA World Rankings.
But it is more as a pundit that O’Neill has gained household fame. Perhaps also as a former undergraduate of Law at Queens University, where he studied during his time at Distillery. Even though he never completed his studies the cerebral reputation has always followed him, as he is always thoughtful and unique in his perspective at times. A bonus which has kept him at the forefront of TV punditry when out of the managerial game.
Undoubtedly that legacy of the Clough era - a man who thought, lived and worked football – also shared very clear views on how the game should be played with his apprentices. Many traits which O'Neill has inherited. Very particularly about the passing game. One very close to Clough’s heart.
"If God had wanted us to play football in the clouds, he'd have put grass up there."
OSM - All rights reserved
Monday, 28 September 2015
Villain Grealish Chooses England
Jack Grealish has opted to play for England rather than the Republic of Ireland.
The 20-year-old played for the Republic at Under-21s level but turned down a call-up to the senior squad for a friendly against England in June.
Birmingham-born Grealish qualifies for the Republic through his grandparents.
"It was not an easy decision as Ireland has a special place with me through my family," he said. "But I have decided to represent the country of my birth."
Grealish made his professional debut while on loan at Notts County against MK Dons in September 2013.
His first Villa appearance was in May 2014 as a substitute in a defeat by Manchester City.
England manager Roy Hodgson had made it clear to Grealish that he wanted him to represent his side.
However, Hodgson did not pick him to play against the Republic in June, with the England boss saying "it would have been inflammatory at the last minute if he chose us and played".
Saturday, 30 May 2015
Arsenal v Aston Villa - FA Cup Final
Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck will miss the FA Cup final after failing to recover from a knee injury.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mathieu Debuchy (both hamstring) and captain Mikel Arteta (ankle) are in contention after returning to training.
Shay Given is fit for Aston Villa's first Cup final in 15 years after recovering from a groin injury.
Aly Cissokho (groin), Kieran Richardson (calf) and Jores Okore (knee) have also trained but Ciaran Clark (knee) is out.
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey scored an extra-time winner last season as they beat Hull 3-2 to win their first trophy in nine years.
And the Welshman is hopeful of adding another trophy to his collection as Arsenal look to become the first team to retain the Cup since Chelsea in 2010.
Ramsey said: "To score a winner in the FA Cup final, it's everybody's dream and I managed to live it.
"To finally win something after all those years and the pressure that has been put on this club was such a nice feeling of relief to finally win something.
"We never do it easy. We've experienced what it's like now, going a few goals behind early in the game, but we still believed in ourselves and our ability to get through it.
"Hopefully it will be a bit easier this time and we won't have to put so many people through that.
"Villa are a good team, very solid and of late they've been in really good form, so we'll have to be aware of that."
Villa could have Christian Benteke available for the last time, as speculation continues to link him with a summer move.
But manager Tim Sherwood is confident of keeping Benteke, and teenage midfielder Jack Grealish, who could start after impressing in the semi-final win over Liverpool.
"Grealish has coped with the pressure up until now, when he is asked to step up he has ticked the boxes," he said.
"The bigger the stage, the better he's been. There isn't any bigger stage than this one, so I'm hoping he performs - otherwise we'll sell him!
"He is great, he loves playing. I don't think he gets nervous. He doesn't look the type. He's a terrific player and we're happy he's on our side.
"I think he realises it because he is around Aston Villa fans - Jack has never seen the club win a trophy.
"Even if he tries to get away from it, it's impossible with his family walking around with Villa shirts on every day."
Arsenal and Aston Villa have been drawn together in the FA Cup 10 times, with Arsenal winning seven and Aston Villa three.This is the first time these sides have met in an FA Cup final.
The last FA Cup meeting between these sides was in the fourth round in 2012, when Arsenal came back from two goals down to win 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal have reached the FA Cup final for the second successive year, after failing to reach this stage in the previous eight seasons. It is their 19th FA Cup final - a record for any side.
Only three clubs have lifted the FA Cup on more occasions than Aston Villa, who have won the trophy seven times. Their seven FA Cup wins came between 1887 and 1957.
This is Aston Villa's first FA Cup final since 2000, when they lost 1-0 to Chelsea at Wembley.
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