'Kamara can go under the radar... but he gives us so much'
Is Boubacar Kamara Aston Villa's best player?Our fan contributor Richard Sutherland certainly thinks so - and here's why...
Find more from Richard Sutherland at The Villa Park Podcast, external
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Belfast Telegraph
11 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
NI and Aston Villa legend Peter McParland laid to rest in home city of Newry
The former forward, who won 34 caps and holds the record for most goals scored for his country at World Cup finals, was laid to rest following Requiem Mass in his home city of Newry yesterday. Mourners who gathered in St Mary's Church on Chapel Street were reminded of the five goals the last surviving member of the 1958 squad scored during the international tournament to help his country reach the quarter-finals. The parish priest recalled how the retired sportsman, who passed away peacefully on May 4 at the age of 91, had a deep affection, which was passed down to him, for 'The Villans'. 'His father worked in Birmingham during the Second World War and sent many reports home. In those days you wrote letters, and he would send home reports of Aston Villa, fuelling Peter's affection for the club,' the cleric said. McParland was an iconic figure for Aston Villa, scoring 121 goals in 341 appearances. He scored twice in the 1957 FA Cup final, helping the club secure a 2-1 win over Manchester United, which was the last time the club lifted the coveted trophy. Hailing the deceased as an 'outstanding man', the priest spoke of the footballer's journey from being scouted to spending just one day with Leeds United. 'He was only a teenager when he was signed in Dundalk after someone watched him play in Newry. In his first game for Dundalk against Bohemians, he scored twice,' the cleric continued. 'In 1951, Leeds offered him a month's trial, but he was homesick, and he said to his family: 'They didn't call me for Mass in the morning. I'm going home.' And he did. He stayed for a day with Leeds. 'He got a job in the railway company in Dundalk and continued playing for Dundalk. He went on a trip to Birmingham to play with Newry Shamrocks and he was spotted by a Villa scout. 'They alerted Villa and paid Dundalk the princely sum of £4,000.' The priest added: 'In 1957, Aston Villa were mid-table of the league. Manchester United had charged through the league and were favourites to win the FA Cup, where they would play Aston Villa. 'After six minutes, Peter headed a ball towards the goalmouth and the goalkeeper fumbled the ball. Peter charged on, and the ball, Peter and the goalkeeper finished in the back of the net. 'He went on to score a second goal and Villa won the FA Cup.' In his later years, the NI footballer played in Canada and the United States and joined Glentoran in 1968, spending three years as player-manager, winning the Irish League at the first attempt. After retiring from playing in 1971, he went on to coach in Libya, Hong Kong, Cyprus, and Kuwait. The priest reflected on how Peter was a guest of honour at Aston Villa's 150th anniversary celebrations in January this year, and quoted him saying: 'My ambition was to play for Aston Villa and I achieved it. I loved playing for the club. It was my life.' Prayers were offered for Peter's wife, Carol, who was unable to attend the funeral due to illness. Condolences were also offered to his children, Nicholas and Paul, his four grandchildren, and his siblings, before Peter's ashes were buried in the adjoining cemetery.
Scottish Sun
14 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Outcast Jack Grealish shock target for Everton as Toffees line up marquee signing for new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium
The 29-year-old is desperate to break back into the England team GREAL DEAL Outcast Jack Grealish shock target for Everton as Toffees line up marquee signing for new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JACK GREALISH has emerged as a shock transfer target for Everton. The Toffees are keen for a marquee signing as they prepare to move into their new Bramley-Moore Dock home. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Jack Grealish is reportedly a summer target for Everton Credit: Getty 4 The City star is desperate to play in next summer's World Cup Credit: Alamy 4 Grealish was controversially overlooked for Euro 2024 Credit: Getty Grealish has endured two tough seasons at Manchester City. The £100million man has found game time hard to come by under Pep Guardiola. He featured just 20 times in the Premier League last term, scoring once. According to the Daily Mail, Everton are tracking Grealish's availability. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL GROUND BREAKING Premier League stadiums of the future with eight clubs splashing out £6bn Grealish is on £300,000-a-week at City and any deal would likely be a loan. The England winger's contract runs until June 2027. Everton's new Friedkin Group owners are reportedly keen to make a splash this summer. And Grealish's short-term future increasingly looks set away from the Etihad. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK The 29-year-old has been left out of City's Club World Cup squad. Guardiola takes his men to the US later this month for the revamped 32-team tournament. Man City drop Jack Grealish transfer hint as they launch stunning new kit for Club World Cup Grealish requires game time if he is to break back into the England fold. The ex-Aston Villa star was controversially left out of last year's Euros. And with just 12 months until the World Cup, he is reportedly keen on a move to secure that. 4 England boss Thomas Tuchel has indicated Grealish won't be considered for the Three Lions until he is playing regularly. Tuchel said: "He's a unique player. "But he needs minutes and minutes and minutes, and he simply does not get them. "He needs to make himself available by playing."
Daily Mail
15 hours ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Everton emerge as shock contenders for Jack Grealish as new owners look to make statement signing ahead of move to Bramley-Moore Dock
Everton are monitoring the situation with Manchester City 's soon-to-depart Jack Grealish. Inside Sport understands that no talks have taken place between the two clubs, but that the Merseyside outfit is aware of Grealish's availability. Any potential move would be likely to be in the shape of a loan deal, with the former Aston Villa man's £300,000-a-week wages an issue with the Premier League 's profit and sustainability rules continuing to trigger headaches across the competition. However, bringing the England international to Bramley-Moore Dock would be seen as a serious statement of intent for the club's new owners, the Friedkin Group. David Moyes has long been an admirer of Grealish, and heaped praise on the winger in during his time at Villa. 'He is a really good player and probably the best player in the Premier League at this time,' Moyes said in 2021. David Moyes has long been an admirer of Grealish, and in 2021 called him 'the best player in the league right now' 'He has done such a big job at that club and is probably the best player in the league right now.' There are expected to be no shortage of suitors for Grealish, both at home and abroad. The news comes just days after it was reported that the 29-year-old is set to be excluded from City's squad for the upcoming Club World Cup. Grealish and his representatives will instead be permitted to focus on finding him a move away from the Etihad Stadium, as he seeks to force himself into England 's World Cup plans. Asked about Grealish' situation this week Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel claimed Grealish will need to feature more frequently to have any hope of featuring next summer. 'He's a unique player but he needs minutes and minutes and minutes, and he simply does not get them.' Tuchel said. 'He needs to make himself available by playing.'
