Speaking on the Claret and Blue Podcast, Martin O’Neill has been discussing his time at Aston Villa and one signing the club almost made during his time there.
The Northern Irishman consistently had Villa on the verge of making the Champions League during his time at the club, but the Midlands outfit fell apart when his star players began to be sold off.
Gareth Barry, Ashley Young, James Milner and Stewart Downing all left in the early 2010s, signalling the end of something of a golden age for Villa, and they were never properly replaced.
However, O’Neill now claims that Villa almost signed Scott Parker as a replacement for Gareth Barry in 2010, but the deal never came to fruition.
Villa wanted Parker
O’Neill shared a conversation he had with Randy Lerner about signing Parker.
“One day Randy said ‘listen we’re going to keep him (James Milner) and we’re going to try to get Scott Parker. Parker’s agent had been in touch with our chief scout saying he would have serious interest. Randy said, we’re going to keep James and try to get Scott Parker. I thought it was fantastic, but no, the next day it was a complete change,” O’Neill said.
Could’ve been different
Things could have turned out quite differently for Villa if they had signed Parker at this juncture.
In the 2010/11 season, Villa faded as a force after O’Neill resigned, but with FWA Footballer of the Year winner, Parker, in their midfield, perhaps they’d have sustained their top six status around this time.
Let’s not forget, Parker was one of the finest midfielders in the country at that point, and the fact that he got 18 England caps during the ‘Golden generation’ era is a testament to his ability.
Sadly, this deal never happened, and Villa would continue to be picked apart under Lerner’s ownership.
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