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Autobiographies are a mixed bag.
On paper the autobiography of a player – that may be primarily known in this country to many people for one amazing FA Cup winning goal that highlighted a spell at a (then) First Division team that lasted only 4 years – might be a bit of a thin read.
The problem with that theory is that this is Ricky Villa’s autobiography. Consequently all ‘dull book’ bets are well and truly off.
What fires this autobiography along is Villa. He’s intelligent, articulate and he’s telling what is genuinely a fascinating story. Sure there are gems galore in relation to the whole Ossie & Ricky era, but this is more than that.
The Tottinghams hand selected me as a fan at an early age. Villa’s contribution to our history merely underlined I’d been adopted by the right firm.
I am interviewing the World Cup winner himself in the next few weeks or next month or something and would be happy to field him questions supplied by HH readers, so speak now of forever hold yer wotsits.
The book is available globally for the monies quoted on the dust cover. Naturally, discerning punters can get it on a never to be repeated HH knock down deal HERE. I am cheaper than the publisher. Work that one out.
I was lucky enough to be at a pub in East London recently when Ricky and Ossie were giving a talk to some of the ‘faithful’ Ossie was translating for Ricky. Not sure whos Engleesh was better but I managed to get to them and shook Rickys hand. As I did I said “thankyou” he floored me when he said “what for”? All I could think of was “everything” Didn’t know what else to say.
I did buy a signed cup final shirt in the auction, and a couple of others. My excuse was I was pissed but I would probably have spent £650 even sober for these legends.
Ricky
In light of recent interviews, where you self-depreciatingly described yourself as a ‘lazy player’, yet are still remembered by one supporter for keeping a ball in play; how do you view players like Pavlyuchenko, who can almost be invisible for the whole match except for having the knack of being in the right place at the right time to convert an opportunity into a goal.
This club immediately falls in love with players that can do magic with a football. Yourself, Ginola, Gazza and of course Hoddle who you played with. We’ve even recently released a player called Adel Taraabt who many were fond of because of his audacious ability for tricks and flicks and mazy runs. Usually the term associated with these players is that they’re luxury players that have to be carried, especially in tough games where they are needed to contribute defensively. What’s your view on luxury players in the nmodern game?
Obviously ‘the goal’ is at the forefront of peoples minds when they think of everything that you’ve done for us fans and the club, but can you tell us what was your best memory at Spurs and what was your worst?
Who was the best player you’ve ever played with/against?
He’s a good friend of yours, but in all honesty, why do you think Ossie inevitably failed as a Spurs manager? Was it that he didn’t have enough money to buy the right players, or that he spent too much time on attack and not on defence?
You’re still considered a hero amongst Spurs fans. What motivated you to succeed in your career? Have you got any advice for people struggling with their lives in todays economic crisis?
I recall that when you played for Atletico Tucaman in Argentina you were known by the nickname ‘God’ because of your beard and long hair. Please can you pick 6 random numbers from the range 0-49. I want to play the lottery this weekend ;)
please share those numbers :finn:
Dear Ricky,
Did you shag a lot of birds during your stay in England?
I still remember THAT goal and being at both the replay on the Thursday evening and the first game the Saturday before.
In the replay I thought that I had seen the best goal ever scored at Wembley, in an FA Cup Final and that was infact the MAN CITY equaliser on the night, a fantastic volley by Steve McKenzie from about 30 yards. BUT of course up stepped Ricky to make the McKenzie volley look like a tap in.
Talk about GLORY, GLORY and moments like THAT goal
are for me what being a Spurs fan(for 43 years now)is all about.
One other magic memory for me was the goal that Ricky scored with a thumping shot in the FA Cup semi final replay against Wolves at the Library (How we ever got to play the replay at L`Arse I will never know).
Incredible and thank you for the memories Ricky.
2 questions for Ricky….. How often do you get to see Spurs nowadays and apart from Ossie who else from your Spurs days do you still keep in touch with ?
Tell him we all still think of him fondly and he will always be a legend.
Also can you ask him if he has a pair of boots and fancies playing up front for us ?
because even now he would be better than any of our current strikers!!