An article can be written about notable managers from the nineties and early two-thousands who seemingly disappeared or saw their careers take a downturn.
Alan Curbishley is a prime example. What happened to him? Did his time at West Ham really turn out that poorly?
David O’Leary also comes to mind, likely still reminiscing about his ‘babies’ at Leeds United.
Brian Little is another noteworthy mention, alongside John Gregory, who had a successful stint in the Premier League but later ended up at Maccabi Ahi Nazareth after a puzzling five-year break from coaching.
Interestingly, three of these four coaches managed Aston Villa within a decade.
Was it a curse or just coincidence? Regardless, Little and Gregory had memorable spells at Villa Park, leading some of the best teams in that era. While Gregory developed talents like Gareth Barry and got impressive performances from an aging Paul Merson, we focus here on Little, mainly for the impact of Paul McGrath.
McGrath’s story is well-known but bears repeating. He was a key figure in Manchester United‘s drinking culture before Sir Alex Ferguson took charge. Unlike his teammates, McGrath struggled with addiction, which affected his physical condition. He would sometimes hold his breath while marking opponents to hide the smell of alcohol.
In 1989, Manchester United offered him early retirement and a testimonial, but he chose to move to Villa, where he experienced an incredible comeback. McGrath was known for his skill, playing a major role in Villa finishing second in the league twice. In 1993, he won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award. Ron Atkinson even suggested he surpassed John Terry and Tony Adams. For many, he was the ultimate defender, blending the qualities of Baresi and Maldini.
Despite a light training regime due to his knee issues, McGrath was exceptional, consistently delivering top performances.
The 1995/96 season was McGrath’s last at Villa as age caught up with him, but he still made forty appearances that year, leading a refreshed team under Little. Key players like Nigel Spink, Shaun Teale, Kevin Richardson, and Ray Houghton were replaced by younger talents such as Mark Bosnich and Ugo Ehiogu, along with glimpses of promise from Lee Hendrie.
The season’s standout signing was Savo Milošević from Partizan. He had the potential to be a great foreign striker—tall and skilled—but didn’t live up to expectations in the Premier League. Despite this, he scored fourteen league goals and had a memorable goal in the League Cup final.
More importantly, he complemented Dwight Yorke, allowing Little to shift Yorke from the wing to a central role. This change led to Yorke scoring thirty-four league goals in the next two seasons and ultimately transferring to Manchester United.
Another smart acquisition was Mark Draper, who energized Villa’s midfield. The arrival of Gareth Southgate proved crucial, as he quickly formed a strong partnership with Ehiogu. With McGrath securing the defense, Villa built one of the league’s best backlines.
On one wing, Alan Wright stood out as an excellent left-back or wing-back of the nineties, while Gary Charles consistently delivered solid performances. While Villa excelled defensively under Bosnich, the midfield, featuring Taylor and Townsend, made significant contributions as well.
Little’s genius lay in his midfield selection, employing Draper, Townsend, and Taylor. This trio worked tirelessly, making them a formidable presence on the field. With the supporting efforts of Wright and Charles, Villa provided the perfect environment for the stars at the front to deliver goals.
The following season brought little change to a successful formula, and Villa finished fifth. However, Little’s reluctance to refresh the squad marked the beginning of a decline, leading to his departure.
He moved on to clubs like Stoke, West Brom, and Hull, eventually becoming a forgotten manager who once provided fans with a remarkable team.
Read: Aston Villa’s 1994 League Cup success: Big Ron, Dalian Atkinson, and ending Man United’s treble hopes
See Also: Iconic Duos: Perfecting the synergy of Cole and Yorke
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