Liverpool put six goals past Aston Villa during their relegation season three years ago, which was one of their worst results and performances in living memory.
Micah Richards has shared that he was ‘scared’ of Aston Villa fans during their infamous defeat against Liverpool three years ago when Jurgen Klopp’s side scored six goals at Villa Park.
At that time, Villa were on the road to their first relegation in nearly three decades, with no leadership, desire, fight or care on the field and an absolute mess off the pitch.
And that game at Villa Park in February 2016, perhaps summed up their time during that period as they suffered relegation to the Championship not so long after.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live (23/09/2019), Richards, who started that match against Liverpool stated that Klopp’s team ‘stuck the knife in’ during that game as he shared why he was ‘scared’ of his own supporters.
“My worst defeat was 6-0 when I was at Aston Villa against Liverpool,” Richards told BBC Radio 5 Live. “It was demoralising. The players at half-time were actually scared to go out for the second half because their team was an incredible team.
“It was the season we got relegated, so confidence was low anyway and Liverpool just stuck the knife in. What sticks out the most is before the games when they are reading out players name. So, Guzan was first, Leo Bacuna was second and I was third. Guzan’s [name was read out] and it was like ‘boooo’. And then Bacuna, ‘boooo’. I was captain and I thought I might get something, I don’t know what it was going to be. I got the loudest boo you’ll ever hear in your life.
“That was the first time in my career, I was genuinely scared to play football. I’m quite mentally tough. I’ll take anything. Before games when your own fans are booing you. How are you supposed to win the game with that? Everyone was hiding that day. People were looking towards me for inspiration. But if I am deflated how are the rest of the team going to react.”
Look in the mirror, Micah?
Perhaps Richards and his Villa teammates at that time need to look themselves in the mirror and ask themselves why was there such a toxic atmosphere at the club, at the time.
It was without a doubt Villa’s worst period in their history, and one if not their worst result and performance in their history, with a lot of changes occurring since then.
Now, Villa, who are back in the Premier League, have committed and ambitious owners, players fighting for the badge and individuals actually wanting to better the team.
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