birminghammail--2020-07-03--'Villa cut champs apart' - Aston Villa batter title-winning Liverpool

You 've all heard the gags ahead of Aston Villa 's daunting trip to Anfield this weekend . '
I hope Liverpool pick the U13s again ' is a popular one after Villa smashed a very young Reds reserve team 5-0 in the Carabao Cup earlier this season .
In fact , Villa go to Merseyside to face a Liverpool team who are newly crowned champions for the first time in 30 years - and who will be wounded by a 4-0 defeat at Manchester City on Thursday night .
Jurgen Klopp will have his history-makers fired up to inflict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The task for a Villa team without a Premier League win in eight matches ( blimey , that January 21 victory over Watford feels like years ago ) is unenviable to say the least .
Sign up for our Villa newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here When it gets to this stage of a relegation battle , the claret and blue fanbase are clutching for whatever positive they can find .
So we 've delved back almost four and a half decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Villa 'did a Manchester City ' and hammered the Anfield title winners .
We 've been digging through our vast archives at the Birmingham Mail to reminisce about a magical night under the floodlights at Villa Park on when Villa beat Liverpool 5-1 .
It was a display regarded by many as among the finest in the club ’ s history .
But , remarkably and heartbreakingly , there is no footage of the match .
Central TV chose to air Derby County ’ s 0-0 bore-draw at home to Arsenal instead so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost to the mists of time .
There is not so much as a dusty Pathe News cine film reel of it , let alone a series of videos doing the rounds on social media .
The only way of keeping alive an historic evening is in the memories of those who were privileged enough to have witnessed it .
Fortunately , among those in the 42,851 Villa Park crowd that night , was budding historian , claret and blue author and BirminghamLive blogger Colin Abbott .
And what Colin can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his exhaustive , labour-of-love research .
The classic victory features in his latest project , the Big Villa Book of the Seventies , a 450-plus page , large format , hardback book that contains the most comprehensive account of a hugely eventful decade as Villa rose back to the top flight of English football .
Colin takes up the story of that spellbinding night under floodlights when the Scousers were sent packing in some style .
“ The previous weekend Villa had beaten a very good Leeds United side at Elland Road without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he recalls .
“ He ’ d suffered a clash of heads with Charlie Young in training the day before , resulting in a broken nose .
“ Young took Nicholl ’ s place in the side and remained in the starting XI for the visit of reigning champions Liverpool who were at the top of the league at the time .
“ They had the meanest defence in the division , conceding only 13 goals in 18 games .
With regular Villa keeper John Burridge sidelined Jake Findlay played between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Villa ran riot and incredibly were 5-1 up at half-time.
” The following day ’ s Daily Mirror carried the headline : ‘ Villa Cut Champs Apart - Gray and Deehan lead a goal spree ’ and indeed they had .
Villa went ahead after nine minutes - a goal that once again confirmed Andy Gray ’ s reputation as a maker and taker of chances .
Liverpool were shocked rigid when Villa scored again two minutes later .
John Deehan surged on to a pass from Dennis Mortimer before beating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 3-0 after 20 minutes .
This time Gray collided with Phil Thompson in midfield and the ball broke kindly for Mortimer to play Deehan clear again .
There was no escape for the champions .
They conceded a fourth goal when John Gidman tore down the right and Brian Little took his short pass before curling a shot over Clemence .
Liverpool finally got in on the act five minutes before the break .
Jake Findlay left his line to punch away Terry McDermott ’ s centre and Ray Kennedy picked up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot .
But Villa were not finished and Gray met a free kick from Mortimer a split second before Thompson for a looping header that left Clemence helpless again on the stroke of half time .
Bob Paisley ’ s Liverpool bounced back and went on the take the First Division championship and the European Cup , while Ron Saunders guided Villa to League Cup glory .
Villa finished just six points behind the Anfield club in the table and but for a hectic schedule , including 14 cup ties , and injuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , John Gidman , Ray Graydon and Frank Carrodus , they themselves might have mounted a stronger challenge for the title .
Cropley himself has fond memories of when Liverpool ‘ got a doin ’ ’ in B6 .
“ I don ’ t think we actually thought about it , ” he remembers .
“ We were a young side , a bit of a mixed bag if you like , and the other teams didn ’ t know how good we were until they came up against us and often ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at home , being a prime example .
That night we were simply outstanding.
” Do n't worry Deano , we do n't expect a 5-1 on Sunday and we do n't really envisage the 'Villa Cut Champs Apart ' headline .
Be nice to catch the champions off guard and sneak a 1-0 though !

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You've all heard the gags ahead of Aston Villa's daunting trip to Anfield this weekend.
'I hope Liverpool pick the U13s again' is a popular one after Villa smashed a very young Reds reserve team 5-0 in the Carabao Cup earlier this season.
In fact, Villa go to Merseyside to face a Liverpool team who are newly crowned champions for the first time in 30 years - and who will be wounded by a 4-0 defeat at Manchester City on Thursday night.
Jurgen Klopp will have his history-makers fired up to inflict more misery on Dean Smith's strugglers.
The task for a Villa team without a Premier League win in eight matches (blimey, that January 21 victory over Watford feels like years ago) is unenviable to say the least.
Sign up for our Villa newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here
When it gets to this stage of a relegation battle, the claret and blue fanbase are clutching for whatever positive they can find.
So we've delved back almost four and a half decades to December 15 1976 to remember when Villa 'did a Manchester City' and hammered the Anfield title winners.
We've been digging through our vast archives at the Birmingham Mail to reminisce about a magical night under the floodlights at Villa Park on when Villa beat Liverpool 5-1.
Aston Villa 5 Liverpool 1
(Image: Mirrorpix)
It was a display regarded by many as among the finest in the club’s history.
But, remarkably and heartbreakingly, there is no footage of the match.
Central TV chose to air Derby County’s 0-0 bore-draw at home to Arsenal instead so Villa’s finest moment has been lost to the mists of time.
There is not so much as a dusty Pathe News cine film reel of it, let alone a series of videos doing the rounds on social media.
The only way of keeping alive an historic evening is in the memories of those who were privileged enough to have witnessed it.
Fortunately, among those in the 42,851 Villa Park crowd that night, was budding historian, claret and blue author and BirminghamLive blogger Colin Abbott.
And what Colin can’t remember he has painstakingly pieced together with his exhaustive, labour-of-love research.
The classic victory features in his latest project, the Big Villa Book of the Seventies, a 450-plus page, large format, hardback book that contains the most comprehensive account of a hugely eventful decade as Villa rose back to the top flight of English football.
Colin takes up the story of that spellbinding night under floodlights when the Scousers were sent packing in some style.
“The previous weekend Villa had beaten a very good Leeds United side at Elland Road without their captain and Irish international Chris Nicholl,” he recalls.
“He’d suffered a clash of heads with Charlie Young in training the day before, resulting in a broken nose.
(Image: Mirrorpix)
“Young took Nicholl’s place in the side and remained in the starting XI for the visit of reigning champions Liverpool who were at the top of the league at the time.
“They had the meanest defence in the division, conceding only 13 goals in 18 games. With regular Villa keeper John Burridge sidelined Jake Findlay played between the posts as he had at Leeds.
“Villa ran riot and incredibly were 5-1 up at half-time.”
The following day’s Daily Mirror carried the headline: ‘Villa Cut Champs Apart - Gray and Deehan lead a goal spree’ and indeed they had.
poll loading Will Aston Villa stay up this season? 3000+ VOTES SO FAR Yes mate, keep the faith Nah mate, we're doomed
Villa went ahead after nine minutes - a goal that once again confirmed Andy Gray’s reputation as a maker and taker of chances. Liverpool were shocked rigid when Villa scored again two minutes later.
John Deehan surged on to a pass from Dennis Mortimer before beating the advancing Ray Clemence.
Deehan made it 3-0 after 20 minutes. This time Gray collided with Phil Thompson in midfield and the ball broke kindly for Mortimer to play Deehan clear again. There was no escape for the champions. They conceded a fourth goal when John Gidman tore down the right and Brian Little took his short pass before curling a shot over Clemence.
Liverpool finally got in on the act five minutes before the break. Jake Findlay left his line to punch away Terry McDermott’s centre and Ray Kennedy picked up the clearance to score with a low shot.
(Image: Mirrorpix)
But Villa were not finished and Gray met a free kick from Mortimer a split second before Thompson for a looping header that left Clemence helpless again on the stroke of half time.
Bob Paisley’s Liverpool bounced back and went on the take the First Division championship and the European Cup, while Ron Saunders guided Villa to League Cup glory.
Villa finished just six points behind the Anfield club in the table and but for a hectic schedule, including 14 cup ties, and injuries to key players including Nicholl, Cropley, John Gidman, Ray Graydon and Frank Carrodus, they themselves might have mounted a stronger challenge for the title.
Claret & Blue podcast Have you tried our Claret & Blue podcast out? Claret & Blue is our expanded look at everything Aston Villa - and you can find it on iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube, as well as your podcast service of choice. Our writers will bring you the latest from Villa Park in their own unique style, taking a deeper look at the Villans while having a lot of fun along the way. What can you expect? Well,analysis, news, interviews and debate along with, yes, a fair amount of nonsense! That's not all though, you can find the podcast on Twitter here, and as a newsletter which you can subscribe to here. In our newsletter you'll get original articles like this and exclusive interviews before anyone else has access. What are you waiting for?
Cropley himself has fond memories of when Liverpool ‘got a doin’’ in B6.
“I don’t think we actually thought about it,” he remembers.
“We were a young side, a bit of a mixed bag if you like, and the other teams didn’t know how good we were until they came up against us and often ‘they got a doin.’ “Liverpool, at home, being a prime example. That night we were simply outstanding.”
Don't worry Deano, we don't expect a 5-1 on Sunday and we don't really envisage the 'Villa Cut Champs Apart' headline.
Be nice to catch the champions off guard and sneak a 1-0 though!


birminghammail--2020-07-03--Bullring staff praised after performing CPR on man in cardiac arrest

Police have praised Bullring security and shop workers for applying CPR to a man in cardiac arrest .
Staff rushed to the aid of the man who had suffered a seizure on Smallbrook Queensway on Friday ( July 3 ) .
They administered lifesaving CPR and later were thanked for their efforts .
Brum City Centre Police tweeted : “ Well done to @ Bullring security and @ retailbid for their attendance at log 2093 of 03.07.20 where they gave CPR to a male in cardiac arrest following a seizure on Smallbrook Queensway .
“ Knowledge of first aid is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Non-essential shops opened their doors to customers at the beginning of June with long queues forming outside High Street favourites including Primark .
The CPR drama comes just a day before the country braced itself for ‘ Super Saturday ’ .
Pubs , cafes , restaurants and hairdressers are set to reopen for the first time since lockdown was enforced in March 23 .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson today urged the public to go easy on Saturday .
The re-opening of pubs has been condemned by police chiefs , with West Midlands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chaos ” .
There are fears the re-opening of boozers could trigger a spike in coronavirus cases and transmission .

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Police have praised Bullring security and shop workers for applying CPR to a man in cardiac arrest.
Staff rushed to the aid of the man who had suffered a seizure on Smallbrook Queensway on Friday (July 3).
They administered lifesaving CPR and later were thanked for their efforts.
Brum City Centre Police tweeted: “Well done to @Bullring security and @retailbid for their attendance at log 2093 of 03.07.20 where they gave CPR to a male in cardiac arrest following a seizure on Smallbrook Queensway.
“Knowledge of first aid is essential. Thank you. @stjohnambulance.”
Non-essential shops opened their doors to customers at the beginning of June with long queues forming outside High Street favourites including Primark.
The CPR drama comes just a day before the country braced itself for ‘Super Saturday’.
Pubs, cafes, restaurants and hairdressers are set to reopen for the first time since lockdown was enforced in March 23.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson today urged the public to go easy on Saturday.
The re-opening of pubs has been condemned by police chiefs, with West Midlands crime commissioner David Jamieson warning of “chaos”.
There are fears the re-opening of boozers could trigger a spike in coronavirus cases and transmission.


birminghammail--2020-07-03--Devastated dad numb with grief as wife dies hours after birth of second child

A devastated dad has been left feeling numb from shock and grief after his wife died suddenly - just hours after the birth of their second child .
Sean Foster rushed back to hospital after hearing his wife Taylor was `` unresponsive '' but nothing could be done to save her .
Taylor had given birth to son Koa without any complications , six days before the due date .
Sean explained to the Manchester Evening News that his wife , aged 25 , and baby were both doing fine on the maternity ward at Whiston Hospital when he returned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But early the next morning , he was told to come back to the hospital because his wife had been taken ill .
When he got there medics were doing chest compressions , but he was soon told nothing more could be done .
Sean , 31 , says he still has n't told their older son , two-year-old Elijah .
He said : `` I 've been given lots of leaflets and information and I need to try to understand how best to approach it .
`` He 's mentioned her a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really understand that she 's not here .
His nursery , Wendy House Nursery in Wigan , have been brilliant and they 've said they 'll help me with it . ''
He added : `` I 'm just numb , I do n't know how to feel .
I have moments where I 'm OK and trying to be strong for Elijah - I 'm trying to keep him in his routine at nursery while I have time to process it all - but then I 'll have other times when I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was perfect .
Taylor had asked for an epidural at one point but before they could even get the paperwork ready , she 'd given birth .
`` After the birth she 'd been up and walking around and got herself showered , I was there until about 11pm .
`` Once at home I messaged her and told her how proud I was of her and that I loved her .
`` She was fine and the nurses said she was fine when they checked on her throughout the night . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ me in the morning I rushed down there and when I got there they took me into a little room and explained what was going on .
`` She was in ICU at this point and I asked them could I hold her hand while they were doing the compressions .
When I was there they told me they 'd been trying to treat her for different things like blood clots .
`` Eventually he just said we 'll stop when you 're ready as it was them keeping her alive , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ save her . ''
Sean is now adding Taylor as a second middle name to newborn Koa Edward in tribute to his wife .
He added : `` I just want to say how fond Taylor was of all the staff at Whiston .
They cared for her through both pregnancies and I know they 've been affected as well .
I want to thank them for all their efforts . ''
Sean 's brother Chris has set up a fundraising account to help pay towards funeral costs and bills for the family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in just a day and so far stands at £11.4k .
To donate , visit the website here

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Emma Gill, David Bentley)

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A devastated dad has been left feeling numb from shock and grief after his wife died suddenly - just hours after the birth of their second child.
Sean Foster rushed back to hospital after hearing his wife Taylor was "unresponsive" but nothing could be done to save her.
Taylor had given birth to son Koa without any complications, six days before the due date.
Sean explained to the Manchester Evening News that his wife, aged 25, and baby were both doing fine on the maternity ward at Whiston Hospital when he returned to the family home in Wigan.
But early the next morning, he was told to come back to the hospital because his wife had been taken ill.
(Image: MEN)
When he got there medics were doing chest compressions, but he was soon told nothing more could be done.
Sean, 31, says he still hasn't told their older son, two-year-old Elijah.
He said: "I've been given lots of leaflets and information and I need to try to understand how best to approach it.
"He's mentioned her a couple of times but he doesn't really understand that she's not here. His nursery, Wendy House Nursery in Wigan, have been brilliant and they've said they'll help me with it."
He added: "I'm just numb, I don't know how to feel. I have moments where I'm OK and trying to be strong for Elijah - I'm trying to keep him in his routine at nursery while I have time to process it all - but then I'll have other times when I just feel numb.
"The birth was perfect. Taylor had asked for an epidural at one point but before they could even get the paperwork ready, she'd given birth.
"After the birth she'd been up and walking around and got herself showered, I was there until about 11pm.
"Once at home I messaged her and told her how proud I was of her and that I loved her.
"She was fine and the nurses said she was fine when they checked on her throughout the night."
He added: "When they called me in the morning I rushed down there and when I got there they took me into a little room and explained what was going on.
"She was in ICU at this point and I asked them could I hold her hand while they were doing the compressions. When I was there they told me they'd been trying to treat her for different things like blood clots.
"Eventually he just said we'll stop when you're ready as it was them keeping her alive, but there was nothing they could do to save her."
Sean is now adding Taylor as a second middle name to newborn Koa Edward in tribute to his wife.
He added: "I just want to say how fond Taylor was of all the staff at Whiston. They cared for her through both pregnancies and I know they've been affected as well. I want to thank them for all their efforts."
Sean's brother Chris has set up a fundraising account to help pay towards funeral costs and bills for the family. The fund smashed the £3.5k target in just a day and so far stands at £11.4k.
To donate, visit the website here


birminghammail--2020-07-03--Confirmed: Final Aston Villa games of the season set in stone

The final games of Aston Villa 's relegation run-in have been confirmed today .
The Premier League have announced both the dates and times of the matches due to take place in the later matchweeks of the season .
This includes Villa 's games against Everton , Arsenal and West Ham United .
Sign up for our Villa newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here Villa will head to Goodison Park on 16 July at 6pm to take on Everton , while a crucial clash against Mikel Arteta 's Arsenal waits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 July at 8:15pm .
Both matches will be live on Sky Sports .
Should the Villans falter , it may all come down to one specific fixture , which has now been set in stone , with broadcast details to be confirmed .
The potential relegation decider between Villa and the Hammers will take place at West Ham 's London Stadium on the 26 July at 4pm , sealing out the season for both clubs .
So far in project restart , Villa have faced Sheffield United , Newcastle United , Chelsea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dean Smith 's side will travel to Liverpool this weekend before taking on Manchester United and Crystal Palace .

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The final games of Aston Villa's relegation run-in have been confirmed today.
The Premier League have announced both the dates and times of the matches due to take place in the later matchweeks of the season.
This includes Villa's games against Everton, Arsenal and West Ham United.
Sign up for our Villa newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here
Villa will head to Goodison Park on 16 July at 6pm to take on Everton, while a crucial clash against Mikel Arteta's Arsenal waits for the Villans at Villa Park on 21 July at 8:15pm.
Both matches will be live on Sky Sports.
Should the Villans falter, it may all come down to one specific fixture, which has now been set in stone, with broadcast details to be confirmed.
The potential relegation decider between Villa and the Hammers will take place at West Ham's London Stadium on the 26 July at 4pm, sealing out the season for both clubs.
So far in project restart, Villa have faced Sheffield United, Newcastle United, Chelsea and Wolves - picking up two points.
Dean Smith's side will travel to Liverpool this weekend before taking on Manchester United and Crystal Palace.


birminghammail--2020-07-03--Confirmed: Burnley vs Wolves  on BBC as more dates, times & TV details released

Wolverhampton Wanderers ' match against Burnley next month will be screened live on the BBC .
More details have been confirmed with the 2019-20 season drawing to a close .
Nuno Espirito Santo 's side will play Burnley at 6pm on July 15 and that match will be free to air .
They then welcome Crystal Palace five days later at 8.15pm with that match on BT Sport .
Wolves round-off their campaign with what could be a crucial clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on July 26 ( 4pm ) , with TV coverage yet to be decided for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wolves are in sixth place after 32 matches , with only three points separating them with Leicester City in third place , what was an eight-point gap before the coronavirus lockdown trimmed after three games .
They are next in action tomorrow when Arsenal visit Molineux .
Nuno 's men have returned in fine form , keeping three clean sheets in three games in wins against West Ham United , AFC Bournemouth and Aston Villa .
They are now batting with Manchester United for third and fourth spot with that game against Chelsea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set to be crucial in Wolves ' quest for a place in next season 's edition of the Champions League .

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Wolverhampton Wanderers' match against Burnley next month will be screened live on the BBC.
More details have been confirmed with the 2019-20 season drawing to a close.
Nuno Espirito Santo 's side will play Burnley at 6pm on July 15 and that match will be free to air.
They then welcome Crystal Palace five days later at 8.15pm with that match on BT Sport.
Wolves round-off their campaign with what could be a crucial clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on July 26 (4pm), with TV coverage yet to be decided for visit to Frank Lampard's men.
Wolves are in sixth place after 32 matches, with only three points separating them with Leicester City in third place, what was an eight-point gap before the coronavirus lockdown trimmed after three games.
They are next in action tomorrow when Arsenal visit Molineux.
Nuno's men have returned in fine form, keeping three clean sheets in three games in wins against West Ham United, AFC Bournemouth and Aston Villa.
They are now batting with Manchester United for third and fourth spot with that game against Chelsea on the final day of the season set to be crucial in Wolves' quest for a place in next season's edition of the Champions League.


birminghammail--2020-07-03--Risk of 'dangerous spire' collapsing leads to main road closure

A busy Worcestershire road has been shut after fears a ‘ dangerous ’ spire at a former church may collapse .
The A449 Wells Road in Malvern , near to junction with Wyche Road , has closed after concerns that a spire at a scaffolded and ‘ deconsecrated ’ church would collapse .
Worcestershire County Council ’ s highways and travel news team Tweeted : “ We 've just been advised of a spire on a former church at A449 Wells Road # Malvern which is in an immediate dangerous condition .
We 're making plans for a road closure.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ used as a place of worship since the 1970s and South Worcestershire Building Control said they had been ‘ monitoring it for a while ’ .
Then an inspection showed that the spire was at risk of falling and the road which links Malvern and Ledbury was shut .
The road closure came in at 10pm on Thursday ( July 2 ) night .
First Worcester bus company said : `` Due to the emergency closure of A449 Wells Road , service 675 will be terminating at Foley Arms Hotel and starting at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Terrace bus stops will not be served . ''
A spokesman for South Worcestershire Building Control said : “ We had been monitoring the condition of this building but a recent inspection of the former Evangelical Church on Wells Road , Malvern , revealed the full extent of deterioration .
“ Having sought the advice of a structural engineer it was deemed to be dangerous and immediate action is now required to make it safe .
“ The spire is dangerous in its current condition and needs to be removed .
Worcestershire County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have arranged for scaffolding to be put up around the building before the spire can be removed by crane and other work carried out to make the building safe.
” The church is a Grade II listed building and appears on Historic England ’ s website , which says : “ The former non-conformist chapel .
1874 , by George and Henry Haddon .
“ The church occupies prominent position on outside of slow bend in Wells Road , and focal point , of Wyche Road which joins Wells Road a little distance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the church .
“ The gable is also prominent from Abbey Road below , which shows that the large arched east window is presently blocked .
“ The present building is on the site of 1827 Countess of Huntingdon Chapel ; windows below road level may be from this building .
It was described as 'reformed episcopalian church of Emmanuel ' when built in 1874 .
”

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A busy Worcestershire road has been shut after fears a ‘dangerous’ spire at a former church may collapse.
The A449 Wells Road in Malvern, near to junction with Wyche Road, has closed after concerns that a spire at a scaffolded and ‘deconsecrated’ church would collapse.
Worcestershire County Council’s highways and travel news team Tweeted: “We've just been advised of a spire on a former church at A449 Wells Road #Malvern which is in an immediate dangerous condition. We're making plans for a road closure.”
(Image: Google)
The former church has not been used as a place of worship since the 1970s and South Worcestershire Building Control said they had been ‘monitoring it for a while’.
Then an inspection showed that the spire was at risk of falling and the road which links Malvern and Ledbury was shut. The road closure came in at 10pm on Thursday (July 2) night.
First Worcester bus company said: "Due to the emergency closure of A449 Wells Road, service 675 will be terminating at Foley Arms Hotel and starting at Brays today. Rose Bank Gardens/Belle Vue Terrace bus stops will not be served."
A spokesman for South Worcestershire Building Control said: “We had been monitoring the condition of this building but a recent inspection of the former Evangelical Church on Wells Road, Malvern, revealed the full extent of deterioration.
“Having sought the advice of a structural engineer it was deemed to be dangerous and immediate action is now required to make it safe.
“The spire is dangerous in its current condition and needs to be removed. Worcestershire County Council has closed the road and we have arranged for scaffolding to be put up around the building before the spire can be removed by crane and other work carried out to make the building safe.”
The church is a Grade II listed building and appears on Historic England’s website, which says: “The former non-conformist chapel. 1874, by George and Henry Haddon.
“The church occupies prominent position on outside of slow bend in Wells Road, and focal point, of Wyche Road which joins Wells Road a little distance to the south on the opposite side to the church.
“The gable is also prominent from Abbey Road below, which shows that the large arched east window is presently blocked.
“The present building is on the site of 1827 Countess of Huntingdon Chapel; windows below road level may be from this building. It was described as 'reformed episcopalian church of Emmanuel' when built in 1874.”


birminghammail--2020-07-03--West Brom fans react as Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle linked again

Dwight Gayle is being linked with a return to West Bromwich Albion this summer .
The former Peterborough United and Crystal Palace striker spent the 2018-19 campaign on loan at Albion , netting 23 goals in the club 's ultimately fruitless quest for promotion .
According to Peterborough Today , Slaven Bilic 's side are keen on a move for the 29-year-old .
He is currently with parent club Newcastle United and he has scored his first goals of the season in the past two matches .
Renowned for his fine Championship record - 59 goals in 100 games and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a return to the second tier in January .
However , it is unlikely Albion will be looking to move for Gayle again .
And the fans are thinking along similar lines , with the striker struggling in the Premier League which is where West Brom are likely heading .
`` You 'd think he was a club legend the way people go on , '' one fan said .
`` If we have any ambition in the Premier League then we 'd be aiming higher than Gayle . ''
`` I personally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him if we get promoted because he is 30 soon and he is not the same player in the Premier League than in the Championship but if we don ’ t get promoted I 'd definitely go in for him , '' said another .
`` Really hope not , '' a third said .
`` He choose to stay at Newcastle instead of coming to us . ''
A fourth fan said : `` I 'm torn because I love him but he struggles in the Premier League ( with the clubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with us who knows .
He 's way too good for the Championship . ''
`` Too late , not again he made his choice , '' said another .
Gayle has made five starts in the Premier League this season .
His record in the Premier League stands at 23 goals in 113 matches .

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Dwight Gayle is being linked with a return to West Bromwich Albion this summer.
The former Peterborough United and Crystal Palace striker spent the 2018-19 campaign on loan at Albion, netting 23 goals in the club's ultimately fruitless quest for promotion.
According to Peterborough Today, Slaven Bilic 's side are keen on a move for the 29-year-old.
He is currently with parent club Newcastle United and he has scored his first goals of the season in the past two matches.
Renowned for his fine Championship record - 59 goals in 100 games and two promotions - he was linked with a return to the second tier in January.
However, it is unlikely Albion will be looking to move for Gayle again.
And the fans are thinking along similar lines, with the striker struggling in the Premier League which is where West Brom are likely heading.
"You'd think he was a club legend the way people go on," one fan said. "If we have any ambition in the Premier League then we'd be aiming higher than Gayle."
"I personally think we should not go in for him if we get promoted because he is 30 soon and he is not the same player in the Premier League than in the Championship but if we don’t get promoted I'd definitely go in for him," said another.
"Really hope not," a third said. "He choose to stay at Newcastle instead of coming to us."
A fourth fan said: "I'm torn because I love him but he struggles in the Premier League (with the clubs he's had) that could change with us who knows. He's way too good for the Championship."
"Too late, not again he made his choice," said another.
(Image: Laurence Griffiths/NMC Pool/PA Wire)
"Not a chance I hope," a sixth fan said.
Gayle has made five starts in the Premier League this season.
His record in the Premier League stands at 23 goals in 113 matches.


birminghammail--2020-07-03--Man rams double decker with trolley at bus station

Police are looking for a man who rammed a trolley into a double decker bus .
The doors of the @ @ @ @ @ to the 74 service - were damaged following the incident at West Bromwich Bus Station @ @ @ @ @ .
It happened at around 7.15pm after the man had been refused access to the @ @ @ @ @ Police spokesman told Black Country Live : `` We were called to West Bromwich Bus @ @ @ @ @ a trolley into a bus at around 7.15pm yesterday ( July 2 ) .
`` @ @ @ @ @ refused access to the bus and caused damage to the doors .
Anyone with information @ @ @ @ @ Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight .
People are asked to quote crime @ @ @ @ @ on information .
National Express West Midlands said it was `` working closely '' with @ @ @ @ @ .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Jordan Coussins, Kelly Ashmore)

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Police are looking for a man who rammed a trolley into a double decker bus.
The doors of the vehicle - which was allocated to the 74 service - were damaged following the incident at West Bromwich Bus Station on Thursday, July 2.
It happened at around 7.15pm after the man had been refused access to the bus.
A West Midlands Police spokesman told Black Country Live : "We were called to West Bromwich Bus Station after a man rammed a trolley into a bus at around 7.15pm yesterday (July 2).
"It happened after he was refused access to the bus and caused damage to the doors.
"Enquiries are ongoing."
Anyone with information should contact the force via Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight.
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Alternatively, call 101 at anytime.
People are asked to quote crime reference number 20SW/153611L/20 when passing on information.
National Express West Midlands said it was "working closely" with police to investigate the incident.


birminghammail--2020-07-03--Tears for beers as Welly boss says 'We lost 20,000 pints - the most of any pub'

Birmingham city centre 's No 1 real ale pub The Wellington has had to pour 20,000 pints down the drain .
The month 's supply of booze was rendered unusable after the country went into the Covid-19 lockdown lasting more than 12 weeks .
`` We are having to pour away more than 20,000 pints , which is probably more than any other pub in the country I know , '' says licensee Nige Barker .
A former Camra pub of the year winner , The Bennetts Hill pub is so revered it typically has up to 17 different ales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As you can see on the above video , with Nige now unsure about how the country will respond to the easing of lockdown from Saturday , July 4 he 's loathe to have so much choice available to begin with .
New signage re social distancing measures is currently being installed and staff will have the option of wearing PPE when they begin serving again for the first time after the lockdown period saw more than 43,900 deaths in the UK alone from coronavirus .
Nige says : `` We will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
`` Even though I 'm not as young as I used to be I 'm in good health and hopefully not too vulnerable , but life is a risk . ''
The Welly , as it 's universally known , has a surprisingly spacious rear terrace .
It offers a fine view of the back of the more expensive Old Joint Stock which itself fronts on to Temple Row West , the next nearby street just yards further along Colmore Row , With the decorators beavering away inside the pub , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 48 hours before reopening , it 's to here that we retire to chew the coronavirus fat .
Nige says : `` I think the government must have known more than it was letting on in early March .
`` If we 'd had more notice , we could have prepared more and perhaps not lost so much beer .
`` We 've lost 14,400 pints of real ale and with kegs on top that will be more than 20,000 pints ... .
20,000 pints !
`` I had no clue what was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run the stocks down .
`` I do n't think any of us ( in the pub trade ) realised how serious it was . ''
Losing thousands of pints is not unique to The Wellington .
And JD Wetherspoon pub The Square Peg on Corporation Street has had to pour 18,000 pints away .
But only at the rate of 10 barrels a day ... with each one having to be photographed and videoed as part of a proper record .
Nige says : `` We can only pour so much away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on by Severn Trent . ''
Last month , BirminghamLive revealed that new live music venue The Grey Lantern lost 6,000 pints after being forced to close just a week after opening .
The one thing Nige needs is for people to feel confident enough to venture out again .
`` ( Catching coronavirus ) could happen to any of us , '' he says .
`` But going to the pub is the most important part of life .
Life is a risk , but I will be sensible .
When I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ myself apart ( from others ) .
I am not paranoid about the virus .
Not even worried .
Just sensibly concerned .
`` I think a lot of people are frightened to come out , but nobody is forcing anyone to go to a pub .
Social distancing is not what pubs are about , just the opposite .
So we have to find a way to compromise .
`` On hot summer days , it gets absolutely packed in our terrace and there 's a great atmosphere . ''
Ask Nige @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nige says : `` Passion .
Passion from myself which passes on to a wonderful team of staff .
`` It all comes from the heart . ''
Originally from Derby , Nige Barker has been running pubs for as long as he can remember .
He first came to Birmingham 25 years ago and ran the Bartons Arms in Aston .
But it 's at The Wellington on Bennetts Hill where his heart has been since it opened in December 2004 ready to sell more than 2,500 varieties of beer in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Birmingham he suggested to his brewery Black Country Ales that what the city really needed was a quality real ale pub .
Years later , the brewery told him it had found a city centre site that might suit if he felt the idea was still sound .
Nige had a look at the former wine bar on Bennetts Hill and said it would be perfect .
`` The day we opened , in late 2004 , we had a queue outside and we have n't looked back . ''
The result is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of different ales in the best possible condition .
And then the pandemic struck ...
The Welly will be back serving pints again from 10am on Saturday , July 4 and , as usual , customers will be welcome to take their own food in to eat .
Sister pubs The Woodman on New Canal Street and The Bull on Price Street will both reopen on midday .
The Woodman will not be doing its usual menu at first while they see how things go .
The Bull will be back for bed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be served here either for at least a week .
Nige admits he ca n't keep closing and reopening but is determined to try his best .
`` We really do n't have any idea what the demand will be when we reopen ... many offices near here are still closed , '' he says against the background of builders clattering about on the 103 Colmore Row construction site nearby .
`` I 've been through some situations , but never anything like this - it was absolutely unthinkable a few months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are catering for a very quiet pub because the city centre is still so quiet , or whether we are going to be absolutely mobbed .
`` So we do n't know what amount of staff to put on , we just have to wait until Saturday and hopefully we will cope .
`` At Saturday we would have six on during the day and six at night , but we do n't know how many staff we can afford because we do n't know how much we will take .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea it was top let us open on a Saturday , it does n't make sense at all .
If we 'd opened on a Monday , we 'd have had a day or two to suss it out before the weekend . ''

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Birmingham city centre's No 1 real ale pub The Wellington has had to pour 20,000 pints down the drain.
The month's supply of booze was rendered unusable after the country went into the Covid-19 lockdown lasting more than 12 weeks.
"We are having to pour away more than 20,000 pints, which is probably more than any other pub in the country I know," says licensee Nige Barker.
A former Camra pub of the year winner, The Bennetts Hill pub is so revered it typically has up to 17 different ales available for regulars to choose from.
As you can see on the above video, with Nige now unsure about how the country will respond to the easing of lockdown from Saturday, July 4 he's loathe to have so much choice available to begin with.
New signage re social distancing measures is currently being installed and staff will have the option of wearing PPE when they begin serving again for the first time after the lockdown period saw more than 43,900 deaths in the UK alone from coronavirus.
Nige says: "We will be providing PPE, but not insisting on it.
"Even though I'm not as young as I used to be I'm in good health and hopefully not too vulnerable, but life is a risk."
(Image: BirminghamLive)
Tears for beers
The Welly, as it's universally known, has a surprisingly spacious rear terrace.
It offers a fine view of the back of the more expensive Old Joint Stock which itself fronts on to Temple Row West, the next nearby street just yards further along Colmore Row,
With the decorators beavering away inside the pub, and with many changes still to make 48 hours before reopening, it's to here that we retire to chew the coronavirus fat.
Nige says: "I think the government must have known more than it was letting on in early March.
"If we'd had more notice, we could have prepared more and perhaps not lost so much beer.
(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
"We've lost 14,400 pints of real ale and with kegs on top that will be more than 20,000 pints.... 20,000 pints!
"I had no clue what was going to happen otherwise I could have run the stocks down.
"I don't think any of us (in the pub trade) realised how serious it was."
Losing thousands of pints is not unique to The Wellington.
And JD Wetherspoon pub The Square Peg on Corporation Street has had to pour 18,000 pints away.
But only at the rate of 10 barrels a day... with each one having to be photographed and videoed as part of a proper record.
Nige says: "We can only pour so much away, too, because of restrictions put on by Severn Trent."
Last month, BirminghamLive revealed that new live music venue The Grey Lantern lost 6,000 pints after being forced to close just a week after opening.
(Image: BirminghamLive)
The confidence factor
The one thing Nige needs is for people to feel confident enough to venture out again.
"(Catching coronavirus) could happen to any of us," he says.
"But going to the pub is the most important part of life. Life is a risk, but I will be sensible. When I walk down the street, I keep myself apart (from others). I am not paranoid about the virus. Not even worried. Just sensibly concerned.
"I think a lot of people are frightened to come out, but nobody is forcing anyone to go to a pub. Social distancing is not what pubs are about, just the opposite. So we have to find a way to compromise.
"On hot summer days, it gets absolutely packed in our terrace and there's a great atmosphere."
Ask Nige what the secret of success is and Nige says: "Passion. Passion from myself which passes on to a wonderful team of staff.
"It all comes from the heart."
(Image: BirminghamLive)
The sweet spot
Originally from Derby, Nige Barker has been running pubs for as long as he can remember.
He first came to Birmingham 25 years ago and ran the Bartons Arms in Aston.
But it's at The Wellington on Bennetts Hill where his heart has been since it opened in December 2004 ready to sell more than 2,500 varieties of beer in a year.
(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
When Nige first came to Birmingham he suggested to his brewery Black Country Ales that what the city really needed was a quality real ale pub.
Years later, the brewery told him it had found a city centre site that might suit if he felt the idea was still sound.
Nige had a look at the former wine bar on Bennetts Hill and said it would be perfect.
"The day we opened, in late 2004, we had a queue outside and we haven't looked back."
The result is more than 15-and-a-half years of serving thousands of different ales in the best possible condition.
And then the pandemic struck...
Time to reopen
The Welly will be back serving pints again from 10am on Saturday, July 4 and, as usual, customers will be welcome to take their own food in to eat.
Sister pubs The Woodman on New Canal Street and The Bull on Price Street will both reopen on midday.
The Woodman will not be doing its usual menu at first while they see how things go.
The Bull will be back for bed and breakfast, but no pub food will be served here either for at least a week.
Nige admits he can't keep closing and reopening but is determined to try his best.
"We really don't have any idea what the demand will be when we reopen... many offices near here are still closed," he says against the background of builders clattering about on the 103 Colmore Row construction site nearby.
"I've been through some situations, but never anything like this - it was absolutely unthinkable a few months ago.
"Wdon't know if we are catering for a very quiet pub because the city centre is still so quiet, or whether we are going to be absolutely mobbed.
"So we don't know what amount of staff to put on, we just have to wait until Saturday and hopefully we will cope.
"At Saturday we would have six on during the day and six at night, but we don't know how many staff we can afford because we don't know how much we will take. It's crazy.
"And whoever's idea it was top let us open on a Saturday, it doesn't make sense at all. If we'd opened on a Monday, we'd have had a day or two to suss it out before the weekend."


birminghammail--2020-07-03--'Be calm and sensible' - police message ahead of county pubs re-opening

'Be calm and sensible ' - that is the message from a West Mercia Police chief to the people of Worcestershire ahead of the eagerly anticipated re-opening of pubs this weekend .
The big day Saturday , July 4 is nearly here and residents across the county will no doubt already have made plans to visit their local for a beer , glass of wine , cocktail or maybe even champagne to toast the long-awaited occasion .
Or if you want ideas on venues to venture out to click on these links to check out some of the best pubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as our roundups for Bewdley , Stourport-on-Severn and Kidderminster .
But ahead of Saturday Rachel Jones , Assistant Chief Constable of the West Mercia Police force , has issued a cautious message to revellers .
She said : `` As the lifting of further restrictions takes place this weekend , our policing approach remains intelligence led .
We always assess potential demand and ensure our resources are in the right place at the right time and this weekend will be no different .
“ We are grateful to the vast majority of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Telford & Wrekin who have worked with us throughout the COVID-19 lockdown .
We ’ ve continued to take the four ‘ Es ’ approach of engaging , explaining and encouraging the public at different stages of the pandemic and only using enforcement action as a last resort .
`` Our enforcement actions have been minimal thanks to the cooperation of our communities and we hope this will continue as further restrictions are lifted . ''
She added : `` We are all looking forward to a little more freedom from this weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with everyone remembering the restrictions that are still in place .
`` We would ask people to be calm and sensible .
Look after yourself , look after your family .
We are still in a global pandemic which continues to affect local communities . ''

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'Be calm and sensible' - that is the message from a West Mercia Police chief to the people of Worcestershire ahead of the eagerly anticipated re-opening of pubs this weekend.
The big day Saturday, July 4 is nearly here and residents across the county will no doubt already have made plans to visit their local for a beer, glass of wine, cocktail or maybe even champagne to toast the long-awaited occasion.
Or if you want ideas on venues to venture out to click on these links to check out some of the best pubs and bars in Worcestershire, as well as our roundups for Bewdley, Stourport-on-Severn and Kidderminster.
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But ahead of Saturday Rachel Jones, Assistant Chief Constable of the West Mercia Police force, has issued a cautious message to revellers.
She said: "As the lifting of further restrictions takes place this weekend, our policing approach remains intelligence led. We always assess potential demand and ensure our resources are in the right place at the right time and this weekend will be no different.
“We are grateful to the vast majority of people across Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin who have worked with us throughout the COVID-19 lockdown. We’ve continued to take the four ‘Es’ approach of engaging, explaining and encouraging the public at different stages of the pandemic and only using enforcement action as a last resort.
"Our enforcement actions have been minimal thanks to the cooperation of our communities and we hope this will continue as further restrictions are lifted."
She added: "We are all looking forward to a little more freedom from this weekend and we hope this is enjoyed safely with everyone remembering the restrictions that are still in place.
"We would ask people to be calm and sensible. Look after yourself, look after your family. We are still in a global pandemic which continues to affect local communities."


birminghammail--2020-07-03--Christian Benteke's agent says striker turned down Aston Villa move in January

Aston Villa hero Christian Benteke turned down a return to the club in January , according to his agent .
The Crystal Palace striker was touted as a transfer target for Dean Smith 's side as they looked to beef up their squad ahead of a relegation battle .
AC Milan 's Krzysztof Piatek was also mentioned as a possible option along with Liverpool 's Rhian Brewster and Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle .
In the end Villa had to divert resources to plug gaps created by long-term injuries to goalkeeper Tom Heaton and striker Wesley .
Borja Baston joined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the club while Danny Drinkwater and Pepe Reina were brought in on loan .
Mbwana Samatta was signed from Belgian side Genk to add extra firepower to Villa 's striking ranks .
Benteke did n't join .
though and stayed at Palace and now his agent Kismet Eris has revealed why .
`` Lately Crystal Palace extended him when he only scored one goal , '' he told Belgian publication RTBF .
`` And in winter , I received many offers for him , including Aston Villa , but also Club Brugge , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London and wants to succeed where he is . ''
Benteke joined Villa from Genk in 2012 and spent three seasons at Villa Park , netting an impressive 49 goals in 101 games before moving on to Liverpool .
He managed one season at Anfield before moving on to Palace .

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Aston Villa hero Christian Benteke turned down a return to the club in January, according to his agent.
The Crystal Palace striker was touted as a transfer target for Dean Smith 's side as they looked to beef up their squad ahead of a relegation battle.
AC Milan's Krzysztof Piatek was also mentioned as a possible option along with Liverpool's Rhian Brewster and Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle.
In the end Villa had to divert resources to plug gaps created by long-term injuries to goalkeeper Tom Heaton and striker Wesley.
Borja Baston joined from Swansea City and has since departed the club while Danny Drinkwater and Pepe Reina were brought in on loan.
Mbwana Samatta was signed from Belgian side Genk to add extra firepower to Villa's striking ranks.
Benteke didn't join. though and stayed at Palace and now his agent Kismet Eris has revealed why.
"Lately Crystal Palace extended him when he only scored one goal," he told Belgian publication RTBF.
"And in winter, I received many offers for him, including Aston Villa, but also Club Brugge, and others but Christian is attached to London and wants to succeed where he is."
Benteke joined Villa from Genk in 2012 and spent three seasons at Villa Park, netting an impressive 49 goals in 101 games before moving on to Liverpool.
He managed one season at Anfield before moving on to Palace.


birminghammail--2020-07-03--Man attacked in park by 'gang of four'

Man attacked in park by 'gang of four'

A man in his 40s has been attacked by a gang in a Quarry Bank park .
The victim was left cut and bruised after being assaulted in Stevens Park , Thorns Road , on Thursday night ( July 2 ) .
It 's believed there were four attackers , who struck just before 10pm .
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said : `` We were called by the police at 9.57pm last night to reports of an assault in Stevens Park , Thorns Road .
`` One ambulance attended and treated one man who had been injured .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ before being taken to hospital . ''
West Midlands Police has confirmed the incident is being investigated .
A spokesman for the force added : `` We were called to a report of a man being assaulted by up to other four others in Stevens Park , Thorns Road , Brierley Hill , at around 9.45pm yesterday .
`` The man , aged in his 40s , was taken to hospital after suffering a cut and swelling to his face .
`` The attackers left and anyone with information can contact us by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact police via Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight , quoting crime reference number 20DY/153688P/20 .

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A man in his 40s has been attacked by a gang in a Quarry Bank park.
The victim was left cut and bruised after being assaulted in Stevens Park, Thorns Road, on Thursday night (July 2).
It's believed there were four attackers, who struck just before 10pm.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We were called by the police at 9.57pm last night to reports of an assault in Stevens Park, Thorns Road.
"One ambulance attended and treated one man who had been injured.
"He was given treatment on scene before being taken to hospital."
West Midlands Police has confirmed the incident is being investigated.
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A spokesman for the force added: "We were called to a report of a man being assaulted by up to other four others in Stevens Park, Thorns Road, Brierley Hill, at around 9.45pm yesterday.
"The man, aged in his 40s, was taken to hospital after suffering a cut and swelling to his face.
"The attackers left and anyone with information can contact us by calling 101."
People can also contact police via Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight, quoting crime reference number 20DY/153688P/20.


birminghammail--2020-07-03--Marc Albrighton's compelling tale of growing up at Aston Villa

It 's clearly an 'Aston Villa fan thing ' to want more of Marc Albrighton .
There 's a moment 45 minutes into Claret & Blue 's epic Zoom chat with Alrighton when we stop to ask if he would mind hanging around for another half an hour .
He generously agrees and we proceed to keep him for another hour .
And then some .
Perhaps we 're trying to make up for lost time by preventing him from going too early again .
Albrighton infamously left Villa when his boyhood club failed to offer him a new contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winners medal with Leicester City helped him get over it - so there 's so much to talk about when we catch up with him over a video hangout for our Claret & Blue podcast and You Tube channel .
So much , in fact , that we 're splitting this interview into a two-parter as there 's too many brilliant memories and insights to cram into one .
From being shellshocked by a swearing superstar to sending secret toilet cubicle text messages , Albrighton is compelling company and a great story-teller and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that triumph in the face of such professional and personal adversity in Part Two .
Sign up for our Villa newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here This claret and blue boy is now 30 years old , but let 's take him way back to the beginning .
To help us picture those humble beginnings , Albrighton drops us a message on WhatsApp a short while after we talk to share some brilliant never-before-seen photos from the time he fell in love with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carol took the time and trouble ( it coincided with Mrs Albrighton returning to her teaching job after lockdown ) to dig out the pics is a tribute to the everyman qualities of the player and the down-to-earth nature of his family .
Before we go on though- how massive and heavy does that football look at the feet of the young Albrighton in the picture above ?
!
To the uninitiated , Albrighton grew up in Tamworth in a very claret and blue household indeed .
Football was his life from as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dad Terry immersed him in the game , his father was never a pushy parent .
“ He ’ s not competitive in the slightest , he always just wanted what I wanted , '' Albrighton says .
`` He never had to be competitive because it was always my decision and it was everything I wanted to do .
There were times where he ’ d have to pull me in from outside because it was pitch black and I had school the next day .
`` He never pushed me to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go along with everything I wanted to do .
Don ’ t get me wrong , he wanted me to make it as a footballer , because football was his life as well .
He didn ’ t really have to do too much pushing . ''
If anything , Albrighton senior had to rein his mini-kicker in a little bit as the family lawn took a battering .
“ I was in the garden constantly , '' he smiles .
`` I can just remember my mum and dad ’ s garden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a strip of mud right down the middle of the garden .
At the time , my dad obviously went ‘ You need to get off the grass !
You ’ re ruining the grass !
’ “ Now I ’ ve got my own grass and my own kids , I know how he feels .
`` I remember going to one of the local schools and they did a ‘ Mini Kickers ’ type thing over on the field .
`` It was one of my dad ’ s mates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remember getting to the sidelines and looking in awe .
All I wanted to do was to get out there .
“ There were two groups - an older group and a younger group .
I remember being in the younger group for probably five minutes and the guy who ran it said ‘ You need to go in the older group , because no-one else is getting a touch ’ .
I headed over to the older group , and physically , it was obviously difficult but I held my own .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Everton ... . ''
It 's at this stage that Claret & Blue does a double take .
Our Marc , the boyhood Villa fan , being promised an 'Everton ' anything puts us on a state of high alert .
`` I remember my dad promising me an Everton mint every time I scored a goal , '' he continues .
`` I think we got in the car one day , and I ’ d score like eight or nine goals , and he said , ‘ We need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eating eight or nine Everton mints every week !
’ .
” When he was n't wrecking lawns or rotting teeth , Albrighton had short stints for a number of junior clubs in the Tamworth area and has particularly fond memories of playing for Mile Oak Monarchs on a pitch behind the landmark hotel , especially the post match chip butties and friendly family vibe .
West Bromwich Albion were the first to come knocking , but any slight disappointment he had about an unsuccessful trial with the Baggies subsided when Villa arrived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a seven-year-old .
“ I can ’ t remember , really , how it ended at West Brom , '' he says .
`` There were reports I got released , but I never signed anything there .
`` They asked me to go for a six or an eight-week trial .
Me and another lad from Mile Oak .
The other lad was a goalkeeper , we travelled there together twice a week .
`` There was no games at the time , we were only seven .
There was no games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going on what seemed like a massive astroturf pitch .
`` There must have been like 300 kids there .
I stuck it out for a bit , but I just didn ’ t enjoy it .
I think my mum and dad knew I didn ’ t enjoy it , it just didn ’ t feel right , I ’ d rather go and train or go and play in the garden .
`` I never enjoyed it .
I don ’ t really know how it ended , if I stopped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d seen enough .
I remember it being a close period between stopping that and Villa coming in for me . ''
By then Marc , just like his old man , was Villa through and through .
Signing for a professional club , his club , did cut him a bit of slack with teachers who would take an interest in his football and excuse him occasionally drifting off in lessons into daydreams about playground kickabouts .
It was Villa , Villa and more Villa .
One of the pictures he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him hunting down Phil King 's autograph at Bodymoor Heath in the mid-90s .
It 's accompanied by a brilliant Birmingham Mail cutting talking up the talent of Albrighton and another kid called Daniel Sturridge .
“ It started with my dad - he was Villa through and through , '' he beams .
`` He tells me about the times when Villa won the league at Arsenal , and he was there .
`` He went to the European Cup final and he ’ s got all of the photos .
Everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Villa quilt , Villa wallpaper .
`` To then go to the training ground , I literally had no idea that academies existed , or that you could be signed by clubs .
I was just naive to it all .
It was the best thing that could have ever happened.
” Before joining Villa , Albrighton and his Dad used to watch Villa from the Witton Lane Stand and switching to the Trinity Road stand behind the old brick dugouts when he was on the club 's books .
`` John Gregory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had the loudest whistle in football , ” he recalls before sharing a fascinating tale of another time when he could n't believe his ears .
It was on November 22 2003 , that a 14-year-old Albrighton realised he was well and truly in the presence of the big boys when one of his heroes turned the air ( claret and ) blue .
“ When we were younger , it was a much smaller training ground , '' he explains .
`` You had no option other than to be around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve got was the Rugby World Cup final against Australia , and as the academy , we had the option whether to go in or not .
`` I didn ’ t take an interest in rugby , but I went in and there were three of us in the end .
We went into the building after for food , and I remember going into the Parents ’ Lounge and the first-team were in there watching the end of the game .
I remember looking around , and there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like eight or nine foot tall .
`` I couldn ’ t believe I was in the same room as them .
They were talking about the game and the camera was panning onto the Australian players and they were swearing at each other , and when I was that age , I thought , ‘ Oh my god !
Dion Dublin swears ’ .
” Seeing Dublin , all 6ft something of him , might have convinced the spindly youngster that he was n't cut out to carry on playing as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not already come to that conclusion on his behalf .
“ I was a centre-forward , a striker for the majority of my time growing up .
I didn ’ t really grow as much when I was younger .
Everyone else seemed to take the shoot , but I missed it .
I was coming up against defenders that were six-foot already .
I remember playing Coventry and they had a centre-half , who was probably double my size .
`` From then on , it was just , ‘ Do you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
You ’ ll get more space out there and won ’ t have to play with your back to goal the whole time.
’ .
I tried that , and it went on from there.
” You can watch our Marc Albrighton exclusive in full here Reserved rather than shy , the work ethic instilled in Albrighton by Terry and Carol continued to shine through as he strived to impress on and off the Bodymoor Heath practice pitches .
Over the course of our Claret & Blue interviews , several former Villa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barry Bannan and Lee Hendrie - have extolled the virtues of training ground chores for character-building and making the transition from youth team to first team dressing room .
Albrighton agrees , but he acknowledges that he drew the short straw when they were handing out boot-cleaning duties .
`` I got John Carew ’ s boots , which as you can imagine , weren ’ t the smallest boots , '' he laughs .
`` They were quite large .
`` The youth team had to wear black leather boots , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted .
They had red and yellow material , all different colours .
I ’ d never cleaned these boots before , I ’ m just used to scrubbing them .
With material boots , you can ’ t do that .
You can ’ t get them too wet because the players don ’ t like it .
That was a difficult baptism . ''
Not only that but some of the first team squad players would take great delight in making the young lads lives even tougher 0 including former academy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d finished , we had to hang around and collect all of the balls that could have been everywhere , '' recalls Albrighton .
`` I remember Craig Gardner used to do shooting practice every session , and on their last shot , they ’ d deliberately shoot it into the quarry and we 'd be fetching them .
With the kitman at the time , he was quite intimidating for a young player .
If you didn ’ t have a full set of balls to bring back to him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was quite a tough time.
” Albrighton was his own worst critic as he came through the ranks at Bodymoor .
His impressive progress had the youth team coaches purring about him in excited whispers , but his own self confidence took a little more convincing even when boss Martin O'Neill called him up to train with the senior squad for the first time .
“ I remember it being a really sunny day , '' he says .
`` I got the call , I was in the gym at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injured .
I remember coming out of the fire exit doors at the gym and it was really sunny , the pitch was absolutely immaculate , there was fresh water on it , the white Premier League balls .
I remember walking over there - there were players like Gareth Barry - who I was just in awe of .
For the first year , I couldn ’ t get to grips with the fact I was training with these players every day .
“ I was probably a bit reserved .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong , it gets in my head and affects the rest of my game .
This was the same in the training .
Some of the drills we were doing , it was one-touch , and you wouldn ’ t get the time you get in the reserve league and in the youth league .
`` The day before every game , we ’ d do two 10-minute games , or three 10-minute games , and the last 10-minute game would always be one-touch .
I was lost .
The ball was coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the rest of the players on the pitch knew exactly where they were going to put it , but I didn ’ t know what to do with it .
It took some getting used to.
” The Peace Cup was a breakthrough fortnight for Albrighton in the summer of 2009 .
Called up to attend the summer pre-season tournament , the 19-year-old scored his first senior goal and also claimed a couple of assists as Villa won the trophy in Spain .
It was a time when Albrighton finally felt like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had spent his life preparing for deserved to be stamped on his passport - professional footballer .
By then he had already made his competitve debut , in , much colder conditions than Andulucia in August .
Albrighton 's claret and blue bow came in controversial circumstances five months earlier on a freezing Moscow night as Villa crashed out of the UEFA Cup to CSKA Moscow .
All of the post match fall out was dominated by fans venting their anger at O'Neill for the wholesale changes that caused the costly 2-0 defeat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
Before he played the entire 90 minutes in a second string side , he made sure he sneaked off to send a secret message to his folks .
`` Martin O ’ Neill used to read the team out in the dressing room an hour beforehand , '' he remembers .
`` There was talk that I might be playing , might not be , but you ’ re never sure until the team ’ s read out .
I knew we ’ d taken such a young squad out there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance .
`` As soon as he named the team , I sneaked my phone back into my pocket , went into one of the cubicles to text my dad , and my mum , to tell them I was playing but it wasn ’ t on the TV , so there was somewhere that was showing it that we knew about .
`` They said if you ’ re playing to let them know so they could watch it .
I sneakily had to do that in the toilets and then went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There were a few fans at the airport on the way back that showed they weren ’ t happy towards the manager for taking all the players but there were a few that came up to us and said well done , which was great at the time.
” Whether it was because of the claret and blue backlash , whether he had a dressing room full of Premier League experience , or whether he thought Albrighton was n't quite ready for more , O'Neill would only use Albrighton sparingly from that moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it , I was just happy to be around that squad , '' he adds .
`` As time went on , there was a bit of me thinking I was ready to move on and play a bit more .
I ’ m ready to take somebody ’ s place , if you like .
`` At that time , though , we had such a good side .
We were finishing sixth in the league .
It was difficult and a lot of the time , you would go into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Neill would go , ‘ Right , same team , same subs ’ , that was you in the stand again .
`` It was good in the fact that I was travelling and I got to see first-hand where I ’ d usually be in the crowd anyway , it was good in that sense .
`` But from my point-of-view because I had that little carrot dangling , I was so close to it , that I just wanted to make some appearances and put my name out there.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to get used to being a bit part player .
It was to become a common theme at Aston Villa as Albrighton explains in Part Two next week .
In Part Two of our Claret & Blue exclusive , Albrighton shares his thoughts on Gerard Houllier , Alex McLeish and Paul Lambert , two serious body blows with illness and recovering from professional pain and family tragedy to win the Premier League .
( With thanks to Bobby Vincent for his transcription services ) .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Mat Kendrick, Bobby Vincent)

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It's clearly an 'Aston Villa fan thing' to want more of Marc Albrighton.
There's a moment 45 minutes into Claret & Blue's epic Zoom chat with Alrighton when we stop to ask if he would mind hanging around for another half an hour.
He generously agrees and we proceed to keep him for another hour. And then some.
Perhaps we're trying to make up for lost time by preventing him from going too early again.
Albrighton infamously left Villa when his boyhood club failed to offer him a new contract back in 2014.
A Premier League winners medal with Leicester City helped him get over it - so there's so much to talk about when we catch up with him over a video hangout for our Claret & Blue podcast and You Tube channel.
Flick through Marc Albrighton's brilliant Aston Villa photo album here
So much, in fact, that we're splitting this interview into a two-parter as there's too many brilliant memories and insights to cram into one.
From being shellshocked by a swearing superstar to sending secret toilet cubicle text messages, Albrighton is compelling company and a great story-teller and that's even before he touches upon that triumph in the face of such professional and personal adversity in Part Two.
All in good time.
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This claret and blue boy is now 30 years old, but let's take him way back to the beginning.
To help us picture those humble beginnings, Albrighton drops us a message on WhatsApp a short while after we talk to share some brilliant never-before-seen photos from the time he fell in love with football.
That he and his mom Carol took the time and trouble (it coincided with Mrs Albrighton returning to her teaching job after lockdown) to dig out the pics is a tribute to the everyman qualities of the player and the down-to-earth nature of his family.
Before we go on though- how massive and heavy does that football look at the feet of the young Albrighton in the picture above?!
Anyway, we digress.
To the uninitiated, Albrighton grew up in Tamworth in a very claret and blue household indeed.
Football was his life from as early as he can remember and while dad Terry immersed him in the game, his father was never a pushy parent.
“He’s not competitive in the slightest, he always just wanted what I wanted," Albrighton says.
"He never had to be competitive because it was always my decision and it was everything I wanted to do. There were times where he’d have to pull me in from outside because it was pitch black and I had school the next day.
"He never pushed me to do anything. He was happy to go along with everything I wanted to do. Don’t get me wrong, he wanted me to make it as a footballer, because football was his life as well. He didn’t really have to do too much pushing."
If anything, Albrighton senior had to rein his mini-kicker in a little bit as the family lawn took a battering.
Claret & Blue podcast Have you tried our Claret & Blue podcast out? Claret & Blue is our expanded look at everything Aston Villa - and you can find it on iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube, as well as your podcast service of choice. Our writers will bring you the latest from Villa Park in their own unique style, taking a deeper look at the Villans while having a lot of fun along the way. What can you expect? Well,analysis, news, interviews and debate along with, yes, a fair amount of nonsense! That's not all though, you can find the podcast on Twitter here, and as a newsletter which you can subscribe to here. In our newsletter you'll get original articles like this and exclusive interviews before anyone else has access. What are you waiting for?
“I was in the garden constantly," he smiles. "I can just remember my mum and dad’s garden.
"All of the pictures just have a strip of mud right down the middle of the garden. At the time, my dad obviously went ‘You need to get off the grass! You’re ruining the grass!’
“Now I’ve got my own grass and my own kids, I know how he feels.
"I remember going to one of the local schools and they did a ‘Mini Kickers’ type thing over on the field.
"It was one of my dad’s mates that was running it, and I remember getting to the sidelines and looking in awe. All I wanted to do was to get out there.
“There were two groups - an older group and a younger group. I remember being in the younger group for probably five minutes and the guy who ran it said ‘You need to go in the older group, because no-one else is getting a touch’. I headed over to the older group, and physically, it was obviously difficult but I held my own.
"I remember my dad promising me an Everton...."
It's at this stage that Claret & Blue does a double take. Our Marc, the boyhood Villa fan, being promised an 'Everton' anything puts us on a state of high alert.
Phew, we needn't have worried.
"I remember my dad promising me an Everton mint every time I scored a goal," he continues.
"I think we got in the car one day, and I’d score like eight or nine goals, and he said, ‘We need to amend this, you can't be eating eight or nine Everton mints every week!’.”
When he wasn't wrecking lawns or rotting teeth, Albrighton had short stints for a number of junior clubs in the Tamworth area and has particularly fond memories of playing for Mile Oak Monarchs on a pitch behind the landmark hotel, especially the post match chip butties and friendly family vibe.
West Bromwich Albion were the first to come knocking, but any slight disappointment he had about an unsuccessful trial with the Baggies subsided when Villa arrived on the scene to sign him as a seven-year-old.
“I can’t remember, really, how it ended at West Brom," he says. "There were reports I got released, but I never signed anything there.
"They asked me to go for a six or an eight-week trial. Me and another lad from Mile Oak. The other lad was a goalkeeper, we travelled there together twice a week.
"There was no games at the time, we were only seven. There was no games at that age then. I remember going on what seemed like a massive astroturf pitch.
"There must have been like 300 kids there. I stuck it out for a bit, but I just didn’t enjoy it. I think my mum and dad knew I didn’t enjoy it, it just didn’t feel right, I’d rather go and train or go and play in the garden.
"I never enjoyed it. I don’t really know how it ended, if I stopped going, or if they said they’d seen enough. I remember it being a close period between stopping that and Villa coming in for me."
By then Marc, just like his old man, was Villa through and through. Signing for a professional club, his club, did cut him a bit of slack with teachers who would take an interest in his football and excuse him occasionally drifting off in lessons into daydreams about playground kickabouts.
It was Villa, Villa and more Villa.
One of the pictures he sends us is an adorable snap of him hunting down Phil King's autograph at Bodymoor Heath in the mid-90s. It's accompanied by a brilliant Birmingham Mail cutting talking up the talent of Albrighton and another kid called Daniel Sturridge.
“It started with my dad - he was Villa through and through," he beams. "He tells me about the times when Villa won the league at Arsenal, and he was there.
"He went to the European Cup final and he’s got all of the photos. Everything was Villa, my room was a Villa quilt, Villa wallpaper.
"To then go to the training ground, I literally had no idea that academies existed, or that you could be signed by clubs. I was just naive to it all. It was the best thing that could have ever happened.”
Before joining Villa, Albrighton and his Dad used to watch Villa from the Witton Lane Stand and switching to the Trinity Road stand behind the old brick dugouts when he was on the club's books.
"John Gregory was the manager at the time and he had the loudest whistle in football,” he recalls before sharing a fascinating tale of another time when he couldn't believe his ears.
It was on November 22 2003, that a 14-year-old Albrighton realised he was well and truly in the presence of the big boys when one of his heroes turned the air (claret and) blue.
“When we were younger, it was a much smaller training ground," he explains.
"You had no option other than to be around each other. The first real memory I’ve got was the Rugby World Cup final against Australia, and as the academy, we had the option whether to go in or not.
"I didn’t take an interest in rugby, but I went in and there were three of us in the end. We went into the building after for food, and I remember going into the Parents’ Lounge and the first-team were in there watching the end of the game. I remember looking around, and there were players like Dion Dublin, they seemed like eight or nine foot tall.
"I couldn’t believe I was in the same room as them. They were talking about the game and the camera was panning onto the Australian players and they were swearing at each other, and when I was that age, I thought, ‘Oh my god! Dion Dublin swears’.”
Seeing Dublin, all 6ft something of him, might have convinced the spindly youngster that he wasn't cut out to carry on playing as a centre forward, had his Bodymoor coaches not already come to that conclusion on his behalf.
“I was a centre-forward, a striker for the majority of my time growing up. I didn’t really grow as much when I was younger. Everyone else seemed to take the shoot, but I missed it. I was coming up against defenders that were six-foot already. I remember playing Coventry and they had a centre-half, who was probably double my size.
"From then on, it was just, ‘Do you want to go out to the wing? You’ll get more space out there and won’t have to play with your back to goal the whole time.’. I tried that, and it went on from there.”
You can watch our Marc Albrighton exclusive in full here
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Reserved rather than shy, the work ethic instilled in Albrighton by Terry and Carol continued to shine through as he strived to impress on and off the Bodymoor Heath practice pitches.
Over the course of our Claret & Blue interviews, several former Villa youth teamers, - Gabby Agbonlahor, Barry Bannan and Lee Hendrie - have extolled the virtues of training ground chores for character-building and making the transition from youth team to first team dressing room.
Albrighton agrees, but he acknowledges that he drew the short straw when they were handing out boot-cleaning duties.
"I got John Carew’s boots, which as you can imagine, weren’t the smallest boots," he laughs. "They were quite large.
"The youth team had to wear black leather boots, but the first-team could wear whatever boots they wanted. They had red and yellow material, all different colours. I’d never cleaned these boots before, I’m just used to scrubbing them. With material boots, you can’t do that. You can’t get them too wet because the players don’t like it. That was a difficult baptism."
Not only that but some of the first team squad players would take great delight in making the young lads lives even tougher 0 including former academy graduate Craig Gardner.
"Once they’d finished, we had to hang around and collect all of the balls that could have been everywhere," recalls Albrighton.
"I remember Craig Gardner used to do shooting practice every session, and on their last shot, they’d deliberately shoot it into the quarry and we'd be fetching them. With the kitman at the time, he was quite intimidating for a young player. If you didn’t have a full set of balls to bring back to him, he’d go crazy at you. It was quite a tough time.”
Albrighton was his own worst critic as he came through the ranks at Bodymoor. His impressive progress had the youth team coaches purring about him in excited whispers, but his own self confidence took a little more convincing even when boss Martin O'Neill called him up to train with the senior squad for the first time.
“I remember it being a really sunny day," he says. "I got the call, I was in the gym at the time, someone must have got injured. I remember coming out of the fire exit doors at the gym and it was really sunny, the pitch was absolutely immaculate, there was fresh water on it, the white Premier League balls. I remember walking over there - there were players like Gareth Barry - who I was just in awe of. For the first year, I couldn’t get to grips with the fact I was training with these players every day.
“I was probably a bit reserved. If I do a couple of bad things wrong, it gets in my head and affects the rest of my game. This was the same in the training. Some of the drills we were doing, it was one-touch, and you wouldn’t get the time you get in the reserve league and in the youth league.
"The day before every game, we’d do two 10-minute games, or three 10-minute games, and the last 10-minute game would always be one-touch. I was lost. The ball was coming to me at a real quick pace and the rest of the players on the pitch knew exactly where they were going to put it, but I didn’t know what to do with it. It took some getting used to.”
The Peace Cup was a breakthrough fortnight for Albrighton in the summer of 2009. Called up to attend the summer pre-season tournament, the 19-year-old scored his first senior goal and also claimed a couple of assists as Villa won the trophy in Spain. It was a time when Albrighton finally felt like he belonged, that the profession he had spent his life preparing for deserved to be stamped on his passport - professional footballer.
By then he had already made his competitve debut, in ,much colder conditions than Andulucia in August.
Albrighton's claret and blue bow came in controversial circumstances five months earlier on a freezing Moscow night as Villa crashed out of the UEFA Cup to CSKA Moscow.
All of the post match fall out was dominated by fans venting their anger at O'Neill for the wholesale changes that caused the costly 2-0 defeat.
Not that Albrighton got distracted by that. Before he played the entire 90 minutes in a second string side, he made sure he sneaked off to send a secret message to his folks.
"Martin O’Neill used to read the team out in the dressing room an hour beforehand," he remembers.
"There was talk that I might be playing, might not be, but you’re never sure until the team’s read out. I knew we’d taken such a young squad out there, so I knew there was a chance.
"As soon as he named the team, I sneaked my phone back into my pocket, went into one of the cubicles to text my dad, and my mum, to tell them I was playing but it wasn’t on the TV, so there was somewhere that was showing it that we knew about.
"They said if you’re playing to let them know so they could watch it. I sneakily had to do that in the toilets and then went to get ready for the game. There were a few fans at the airport on the way back that showed they weren’t happy towards the manager for taking all the players but there were a few that came up to us and said well done, which was great at the time.”
The decision to charge fans £14.95 per match to watch their teams on PPV (in addition to their existing TV subscriptions) has generated plenty of debate. We think it's an insult too far. What do you think? Have a read of open letter and if you agree then please add your name to it.
Whether it was because of the claret and blue backlash, whether he had a dressing room full of Premier League experience, or whether he thought Albrighton wasn't quite ready for more, O'Neill would only use Albrighton sparingly from that moment onwards.
“For the first part of it, I was just happy to be around that squad," he adds.
"As time went on, there was a bit of me thinking I was ready to move on and play a bit more. I’m ready to take somebody’s place, if you like.
"At that time, though, we had such a good side. We were finishing sixth in the league. It was difficult and a lot of the time, you would go into the dressing room, and Martin O’Neill would go, ‘Right, same team, same subs’, that was you in the stand again.
"It was good in the fact that I was travelling and I got to see first-hand where I’d usually be in the crowd anyway, it was good in that sense.
"But from my point-of-view because I had that little carrot dangling, I was so close to it, that I just wanted to make some appearances and put my name out there.”
(With thanks to Bobby Vincent for his transcription services).