Jack Grealish Hints at Tammy Abraham Stay Amid Chelsea Recall, Transfer Rumours
Jan 8, 2019
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Tammy Abraham of Aston Villa during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Leeds United at Villa Park on December 23, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
Aston Villa winger Jack Grealish has hinted at an extended stay for striker Tammy Abraham amid rumours Abraham could return from his loan to Chelsea and make a switch to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Grealish took to Twitter to share this doctored image from the film The Wolf of Wall Street, depicting Abraham as the lead character (warning: NSFW language):
According to Stuart James of the Guardian, Abraham has been linked with Wolves at length but has now decided to stay at Villa Park for the rest of the season.
Tim Spiers of the Express and Star reported Wolves are still eager to make the deal happen, while also noting there could be issues with his eligibility:
I understand that Wolves' move for Abraham is NOT dead. Issue is believed to be with FIFA ratifying the move - Wolves have yet to receive clarity and Abraham is staying with Villa for now. Club remain hopeful it can be resolved #wwfchttps://t.co/dB5wPO8Liq
The 21-year-old has already played for two clubs this season, featuring for Chelsea's academy team in the Premier League 2 before joining Villa on loan.
Under FIFA regulations players are only allowed to play for two clubs per season, and Hatem Ben Arfa was previously sidelined in a similar situation. He had featured for Newcastle's youth side and Hull City in the 2014-15 campaign and was deemed ineligible to play for Nice as a result.
The FA did allow Liam Walsh to play for three different clubs last season, however, raising even more questions.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Tammy Abraham of Aston Villa scores his sides first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Leeds United at Villa Park on December 23, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Gett
According to James, Abraham has no interest in another loan deal but would be open to joining Wolves in a permanent transfer. If such a move went ahead and the forward was ruled ineligible for the remainder of the season, it could still be worthwhile for the Premier League side.
The Chelsea academy product has been in excellent form this season, powering Villa's bid to earn promotion from the Championship:
Tammy Abraham: Has had a direct hand in 17 (16 goals, 1 assist) of the 49 league goals Aston Villa have scored in the Championship this season (34.7%)
The Villans sit five points behind the play-off spots.
The loss of their ace striker would be a serious blow for Villa, who would have to use the January transfer window to find a replacement and hope they could find a player of similar quality who would need little time to adapt to his new surroundings.
Abraham's development at Villa Park has been stellar, and an extended stay would likely be a smart decision, even if it means he misses out on the chance to play Premier League football for now.
Manager Steve Bruce Sacked by Aston Villa After 2 Seasons
Oct 3, 2018
BRISTOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 28: Aston Villa coach Steve Bruce before the Sky Bet Championship match between Bristol City and Aston Villa at Ashton Gate on September 28, 2018 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Aston Villa confirmed on Wednesday that manager Steve Bruce has been sacked following a poor run of results at Villa Park.
The 57-year-old leaves the club in 12th place in the Championship table. The search for a successor has begun, the club confirmed in a statement on their official website.
"We would like to place on record our gratitude to Steve and his team for their hard work and commitment. We wish them well for the future.
"The process of recruiting a new manager has begun. In the meantime, Kevin MacDonald, Aston Villa U23s manager, will be in charge of the team for our trip to Millwall on Saturday.”
Bruce's departure comes after he oversaw an eventful 3-3 home draw with Preston North End on Tuesday.
The Villans let slip a 2-0 lead, equalised in stoppage time but missed a last-minute penalty that would have given them all three points.
The draw means that Aston Villa have won just one of their last 10 games and have only managed three league wins this season.
A supporter showed their anger towards Bruce at the match by throwing a cabbage at him. Police are trying to identify the fan involved, per BBC Sport's Dan Roan:
Meanwhile, W Midlands Police say they are working with Aston Villa to find a fan who threw a cabbage at under-pressure Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce. The vegetable did not hit Bruce, but he said the incident at Tuesday's home 3-3 draw with Preston showed a lack of respect.
The Villa boss spoke about the incident after the match, perFrank Keoghat BBC Sport.
"To say it's disappointing is an understatement for a club like this," he said. "Unfortunately, it sums up the society we are in at the moment. There's no respect for anyone."
Sportswriter Oliver Holt explained how it's been a difficult year for Bruce:
Spoke to Steve Bruce at Craven Cottage six months ago, two weeks after his dad had died. He was grace personified. His mum died soon after. He was still giving everything for the club. Last night, some moron of a 'fan' threw a cabbage at him. Sometimes, football stinks.
Bruce took charge of Aston Villa in 2016 and came close to returning the club to the Premier League last season. They reached the Championship play-off final but lost to Fulham.
Sky Sports Statto detailed his record at the club:
Steve Bruce has left Aston Villa with immediate effect. His record as @AVFCOfficial Manager:
Bruce has now paid for a slow start to the season, and the club will hope to bring in a new manager who can secure promotion back to the English top flight.
Aston Villa's next fixture is against struggling Millwall who are in the relegation zone with just six points from 10 games.
Former England Manager Graham Taylor Named in Aston Villa Sexual-Abuse Scandal
Sep 13, 2017
Former England and Watford manager Graham Taylor attends the FA Cup semi-final football match between Crystal Palace and Watford at Wembley Stadium in London on April 24, 2016. / AFP / ADRIAN DENNIS / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Former England manager Graham Taylor allegedly discouraged two victims of sexual abuse from reporting Ted Langford, a former Aston Villa scout and convicted paedophile, as claimed to the independent inquiry into football's sexual-abuse scandal.
The Worksop-born manager—who died in January this year—allegedly told Tony Brien to "move on" after informing the club he was abused. Another unnamed victim is also said to have been discouraged by Taylor from filing a report, per Daniel Taylor in the Guardian.
As noted by BBC News' Jim Reed and Louis Lee Ray, Langford worked as a scout for Leicester City and Villa during the 1970s and 1980s, in addition to running youth team Dunlop Terriers. He was sentenced to three years in prisonfor the sexual abuse of four young players during this time in 2007 and died in 2012.
Per Taylor's report,Brien warned Villa in the 1987-88 season while he was a teenager that other boys were at risk of the abuse he had suffered as aDunlop Terriers player from the age of 12 by Langford.
He says Taylor, who was Villa manager from 1987 to 1990 and again between 2002 and 2003, warned him in a telephone call of the potential ramifications for him on the pitch should his revelation reach the newspapers.
"Can you really be doing with the abuse from the terraces?," Taylor told Brien, according to the report.
Langford continued working at Villa until 1989 and his crimes were not uncovered until years later despite the alleged warnings presented to the club.
The Life and Times of Dalian Atkinson: A Great Talent Unfulfilled
Aug 15, 2017
6 NOV 1994: RAY HOUGHTON AND DALIAN ATKINSON OF ASTON VILLA CELEBRATE ATKINSONS GOAL AGAINST MANCHESTER UNITED DURING THE ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT VILLA PARK, BIRMINGHAM. AT RIGHT, DENNIS IRWIN OF MANCHESTER UNITED. Mandatory Credit: David Rogers/ALLSPORT
He played for his country. He scored the goal of the season. He won trophies in three countries. And he died a year ago today at 48 after being tasered by police.
Dalian Atkinson will go down in history as a player whose great talent went unfulfilled and who met a tragic, untimely death. But behind the sad headlines lies a tale of cars, girls, goals and a happy-go-lucky adventurer who crossed the world looking for a game and new experiences.
He was the first black player at a conservative Spanish club, a party lover who went to a dry Muslim country and the first overseas signing for an unknown Korean side. He was a trailblazer. And everybody loved him.
These are the life and times of the late Dalian Atkinson.
Born in March 1968 in Shrewsbury, England, Atkinson was a prodigious athlete at Wrockwardine Wood School in Telford, where he excelled at athletics and football.
He caught the eye of Ipswich Town manager Bobby Ferguson and made his professional debut just shy of his 18th birthday in a 3-1 defeat at Newcastle United's St. James' Park. Sharp and fearless, Atkinson scored 18 goals in 60 appearances, but he always had other interests.
"Cars and the fairer sex were the way Dalian looked at things off the pitch," former Ipswich team-mate Michael Cole told the BBC last November.
By the spring of 1988, Atkinson was looking for a move and attracted the attention of Ron Atkinson at Sheffield Wednesday.
"I phoned up [Ipswich manager] John Duncan and offered him £25,000, but he said Dalian was in the squad for that Saturday's game against Barnsley and 'I need him,'" Atkinson told Bleacher Report.
"Dalian went and scored two goals. I thought: That's dead, then. A bit later, I went back and offered £40,000—and Dalian scored a hat-trick in the next game."
In July 1989, Atkinson finally landed his man but had to stump up £476,000 (roughly £1.2 million adjusted for inflation).
After moving to Yorkshire, the striker racked up 10 goals in 38 games and was called up for the England B team for a game with the Republic of Ireland on March 27, 1990. His team-mates included David Seaman, Matt Le Tissier and Tony Adams. England lost 4-1, but Atkinson scored a spectacular right-footed shot and could have had a hat-trick.
27 Mar 1990: Derek Brazil of the Republic of Ireland takes on Dalian Atkinson of England B during a match in the Republic of Ireland. \ Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford/Allsport
The world was at his feet, but the restlessness that typified his career emerged again after the president of Spanish side Real Sociedad came to England looking for recruits.
The Basque club only used local players, but Inaki Alkiza Laskibar was ditching that policy.
"Dalian took his liking," Atkinson said, and he reluctantly sold his protege for £1.7 million to Real, where he joined two other British players: John Aldridge and Kevin Richardson.
Atkinson's arrival was the more significant: He was the first black player in Real's history.
"He made us love him very much from the beginning," Alberto Gorriz said; the former Spain international spent his entire career at Real Sociedad and played with Atkinson. "When he arrived, he was very young and lacked experience and maturity. He struggled to adapt a little to our football, but from the beginning, we did everything possible in the locker room to make it easier to adapt to the team and the city."
Affectionately nicknamed El Txipiron, which translates as "the squid," Atkinson soon showed his trademark speed and unerring ability to score in big games—but also his lack of consistency. His first goal came 23 minutes into a game against Real Madrid; he did not score again for nearly three months after getting injured, but he spent the time getting to know his new home.
In his early Ipswich days, Atkinson pimped up an Alfa Romeo Alfasud with roll bars and a souped-up engine, then traded up to a Maserati. In Spain, Atkinson's £58,000 white Porsche was seen outside San Sebastian's nightclubs as he recuperated.
That December, Atkinson, Aldridge and Richardson were reportedly out until 6 a.m. at the fashionable Bataplan disco on the famous La Concha beach. That night was two days before Real Sociedad were thrashed 4-0 in Madrid by Atletico Madrid. Manager Marco Boronat fined the trio £2,000 apiece.
On the pitch, Atkinson responded by scoring against Barcelona on Dec. 30. He later avenged that Madrid thrashing by scoring in a 2-1 win over Atletico, which handed the Liga title to Barcelona.
Atletico were clearly impressed and tried to sign Atkinson for £2.2 million at the end of an injury-hit season in which he scored a dozen goals in 29 games.
His contract ran for five years, but he left San Sebastian's nightlife behind after Ron Atkinson, who had moved to Aston Villa, agreed to a club-record £1.6 million deal with Real's new manager, John Toshack, to bring his old charge back to the Midlands.
Atkinson scored in Villa's first game of the season, only to be sidelined by injury again. He was soon dubbed "sick note" by the fans.
In March 1992, Ron Atkinson fined him for being half a stone overweight. In the next match, Dalian asked to come off 10 minutes into a game with Norwich City after complaining of a headache and stomach upset.
"I said he had to stay on, as he owed it to me, the fans and to himself," Atkinson told the Daily Telegraph.
Eventually, Atkinson's approach paid off. Dalian began to make his mark and scored his most famous goal the next season in a 3-2 win at Wimbledon—a sublime strike that won the 1992/93 BBC Match of the Day Goal of the Season award.
— Today's Football Tip (@TodayFootyTips) July 15, 2017
That effort was a powerful run and audacious chip. Others were equally impressive: long-range shots, thumping headers, solo efforts. Dalian Atkinson rarely did tap-ins.
With Villa vying with Manchester United and Norwich for the top spot, England manager Graham Taylor came to Hillsborough on Dec. 5 to watch Atkinson, who put in a performance that typified his career.
"He scored two blinders, then didn't play properly until Easter," Ron Atkinson said. "If Dalian hadn't got injured at Christmas, we would have won the league."
In February 1993, he had surgery for a stomach injury. Any prospects of an England call-up were gone.
At the start of the 1993/94 campaign, former Liverpool legend Alan Hansen picked six players to watch.
Atkinson should be an England regular, Hansen wrote in the Telegraph, then warned: "Sometimes when you are watching him, you wonder if he would rather be on a beach somewhere in the sun. Other times, he looks like a world-beater. It is really up to Dalian himself; he can go as far in the game as he wants."
But how far was that? When he was fit, he made a difference in big games. Aston Villa would never have made the 1994 League Cup final without Atkinson, who scored in both legs of the semi-final against Tranmere Rovers.
"He pulled us through those semi-finals," Ron Atkinson said. "Dalian was a big-match player. If you were playing Liverpool or Man United, it was no bother, but if you were going away to Exeter in the cup, you had a problem. I remember once going to Exeter, and we shouldn't have bothered taking him."
Dalian lived up to his reputation in the final against Manchester United, scoring the opening goal in a 3-1 victory, but he was soon on his travels again.
He missed Villa's departure for a 1994 pre-season tour of South Africa because of what was described as "personal problems." When Ron Atkinson left and was replaced by Brian Little, the striker fell out of favour.
By March 1995, Dalian was yearning for a return overseas. His next stop was Turkey.
Atkinson's old Villa strike partner, Dean Saunders, was at Galatasaray, and the club's manager, Graeme Souness, considered reuniting the duo.
"Souness had just signed Dean and [Barry] Venison," Ron Atkinson said, "and he rang me about Dalian, but I said, 'Souie, if you want someone who doesn't stop running, don't bother.'"
So, on July 26, 1995, Dalian arrived in Istanbul to agree to a deal with Ali Sen, the president of Galatasaray's bitter Istanbul rivals Fenerbahce, and their manager, Carlos Alberto Parreira.
After signing, Atkinson fell under the wing of club minder Volkan Balli, who was looking after Fenerbahce's foreign contingent, which also included Danish defender Jes Hogh.
"Lots of people were very surprised when he signed, as foreign players did not always come to Turkey," Balli said. "But Dalian always felt at home here. He was quite hunky and had a lot of girlfriends visit him from abroad."
Sen soon realised how to get his new signing to make a difference.
"[Atkinson] was mostly into cars and women," Hogh recalled in his 2014 autobiography Comeback to Life, adding Atkinson was "pushed and lifted by Ali Sen and Parreira, so he scored a fair number of goals."
Atkinson was taken with the expensive Mercedes driven by Sen's son, Adnan, who prior to the all-consuming derby with Galatasaray offered to loan Atkinson his car if he could score. In the game on Oct. 22, Atkinson was undeniable.
Within 32 minutes, he had netted a hat-trick, giving Galatasaray's American keeper, Brad Friedel, no chance with any of his goals.
"After the match, Ali Sen handed him the keys to his son's Mercedes," Hogh recalled. "The car was for keeps."
While Souness and some of his British players provoked negative headlines in the Turkish media, Atkinson's popularity grew after he was photographed next to a bust of national hero Kemal Ataturk giving the thumbs up.
After another spell injured, Atkinson returned and made the starting XI at home to Altay on March 30. He scored in an edgy 2-2 draw to keep his side in the title hunt.
"He was a fantastic player, but he couldn't play all the games because of injuries. When he did play, he made a difference," Balli said.
In their penultimate game, Fenerbahce travelled 1,000 kilometres to play Trabzonspor. Fenerbahce recovered from a goal down to win 2-1 and overtake their opponents in the league. Trabzonspor's fans rioted in response.
Local police could not guarantee Fenerbahce's safety if they left their hotel, so the team stayed inside and partied. A first league title was nearly Atkinson's.
In their final game, Fenerbahce thrashed Vanspor to clinch the championship. The party went on for 14 days.
"Everything was chaos and celebration, music and happy days, flowing alcohol," Hogh recalled.
Atkinson's final game in Turkey was as a substitute in the Turkish Cup final on April 24. He failed to score and was soon off again, this time on the road to nowhere.
Before he left, however, there came the news he was not the biological father of a 16-month-old girl—the result of a DNA test ordered by the courts.
Atkinson returned to the Midlands and was joined by Balli, who was there for Euro 96 as part of the Turkish party based in Birmingham. Atkinson would not let his friend stay in a hotel and put Balli up.
"Every day, he brought breakfast to my room, I think to pay me back for what I did for him in Turkey," Balli said. "That was the sort of guy he was."
Watching Euro 96 was bittersweet. Seaman and Adams were stalwarts as the hosts reached the semi-finals, but Atkinson was 28, and his international career was gone.
Even worse, his club career was agonisingly slipping away.
In June 1996, Atkinson had been linked with a move to Coventry City. That never materialised, as he became embroiled in a lengthy contract dispute with Fenerbahce.
"He wanted to go, but I don't think the club wanted him to go," Balli said.
In September, Atkinson walked out, claiming he had not been paid for two months and was owed £100,000.
He pressed for a loan move and in January 1997 went to PSV Eindhoven, then Metz. No offers followed. The French club's medical showed a risk of injury due to bone damage in his right ankle and signs of a groin strain.
Atkinson and Villa were both at odds with Fenerbahce, and the case went to FIFA. In February 1997, it ruled the Turkish club had to pay Villa $400,000 outstanding from a $650,000 transfer fee agreed for Atkinson.
Fenerbahce was told to pay some—but not all—of the money Atkinson claimed he was owed. FIFA's committee said "neither party had conducted itself properly."
Finally, he was free.
Atkinson scored in a reserve game for Manchester City against York and won a first-team place against Stoke City at Maine Road on March 22, 1997. Could he set City alight and save his career?
There were certainly flames, as a small fire in the North Stand delayed the kick-off by 45 minutes.
He headed home as City won 2-0 and netted again against Grimsby Town in a 3-1 win on April 16, but events out of his control conspired against him.
Before Frank Clark took charge, there were four temporary or permanent managers at City in 1996/97. Each one brought his own staff, so the squad was huge and needed reducing. Only on a temporary contract, Atkinson was easy to release.
According to the Football Association, he was never registered as a professional in England again.
Atkinson turned out for Everton reserves on Oct. 16, 1997, at Sheffield Wednesday and played the full 90 minutes in a 4-1 win over his old side, but he was not kept on. A spell in February 1998 training with Sheffield United went nowhere. His season petered out.
At 29 and desperately needing to revive his ailing career, Atkinson made the unlikely decision to move to Saudi Arabia. The Saudi game was flush with oil money, and the Green Falcons had made their World Cup debut in 1994, but Atkinson's move to Jeddah-based Al-Ittihad was still daring.
A VHS showreel of Atkinson's highlights had found its way to Al-Ittihad's Belgian manager, Dimitrije Davidovic.
"He looked strong, fast and had good technique, so we brought him to Jeddah, as we were involved in four competitions," Davidovic said.
When Atkinson had arrived in Spain, even veterans like Gorriz were impressed by his fitness. Now, by his own admission, he was fat.
"We liked him a lot, but he was not in good shape because of the problems at Fenerbahce," Davidovic said. "It's difficult if you don't play for seven months. In the beginning, he had lots of small injuries, so we made him a special program.
"Sometimes he would do 1,500 sit-ups with a medicine ball. He would say, 'You are crazy. You are going to kill me,' but always with a smile. He had a good sense of humour.
"After a month, he was back, and Dalian was very impressive. He was strong and good with one-on-ones—a showman. When he scored a goal, he would celebrate like a dolphin. One time, we played a big game in Jeddah, and one of the opposition players tried to run through him, but he just bounced off Dalian, and the whole stadium stood up and applauded.
"It was a good team—the most successful year at the club ever."
Founded in 1927, Al-Ittihad were the kingdom's oldest club and successful locally but less so continentally. In a last hurrah, Atkinson helped change that.
The Asian Cup Winners' Cup was staged on a regional basis with two-legged ties until the semi-finals. Al-Ittihad dismissed Al Ahli of Qatar, then Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan to make the last four.
14 SEP 1994: DALIAN ATKINSON OF ASTON VILLA TAKES SHELTER DURING A THUNDERSTORM AT THE SAN SIRO STADIUM IN MILAN BEORE TOMORROWS UEFA CUP FIRST LEG TIE WITH INTER MILAN. Mandatory Credit: Mike Hewitt/ALLSPORT
The semi-finals and final were staged in Tokyo, Japan. Yet again, Atkinson was up for the big game. Stealing in at the back post, he nodded in from close range after 25 minutes to put Al-Ittihad 2-0 up against Iraqi side Al Talaba.
The look of sheer joy on his face as he embraced his team-mates showed what it meant.
Al-Ittihad went through 3-1 to face South Korean side Chunnam Dragons two days later in one of the most bizarre continental finals ever.
Atkinson played a vital role, albeit accidentally, when after four minutes he collided with Chunnam's keeper, Park Jong-mum, on the slippery surface. Jong-mum had to come off and was replaced by reserve keeper Park Chul-woo, who did not see out the game either; Chunnam had Brazilian defender Maciel, then Chul-woo, sent off.
An outfield player, Jou Yeong-hu, went in goal as the game, 2-2 after 90 minutes, went to extra-time to be decided by a golden goal. Atkinson shot over the bar before Ahmed Bahja won a penalty. His woeful effort came back off Yeong-hu, and the Moroccan buried the rebound.
Al-Ittihad had their first Asian trophy to go with a debut Gulf Champions League title, the Federation Cup and the Saudi League championship. The quadruple-winning Atkinson had scored 10 goals in his last 11 games.
"He told me, 'Without you, I would never have come back,'" Davidovic said.
After the Tokyo success, Atkinson's eight-month contract was running out. He wanted to go home.
"You always think that you might have lost it, but I realise that I've still got it, and the more I play the better I will get. [...] I feel much better within myself, and the team in the last five matches have seen a better me because I'm fitter and my strength is better.
"[...] I feel much better within myself, and the team in the last five matches have seen a better me because I'm fitter and my strength is better.
"Saudi's been good for me because there are no bars to go out to. There are no distractions. I can just train and relax, and that was what I needed when I left Turkey because the players told me I was fat when I joined the club."
Atkinson said the "niggly little injuries" that typified his career were gone and returned to England in search of a club.
There were no takers, and with no one impressed by his success in the desert, Atkinson made one final attempt to save his career in South Korea, which was set to co-host the 2002 World Cup with Japan.
In 1991, Brazilian icon Zico signed for Japanese J-League side Kashima Antlers. The only foreigners in the South Korean K-League were unknown Africans, Brazilians or Eastern Europeans.
Daejeon Citizen had never signed a foreigner and were holding out for a big name, a player from the Premier League. In early 2001, Atkinson pitched up for winter training.
Choi Kyongdeok, the club's media officer, recalled his "truly impressive playing."
"He was a reckless player and had tremendous speed with great physical fight in the field," he said. "DCFC looked forward to [him] leading us to the championship."
Once again, however, injury struck.
Atkinson made his debut in the Korean League Cup, which preceded the K-League season, coming off the bench in Ulsan. Of course, he scored, netting in the 62nd minute as his new team cruised to a 4-0 win.
Could Atkinson prolong his career?
1993: Dalian Atkinson of Aston Villa in action during a match. \ Mandatory Credit: Mike Cooper/Allsport
He started the next cup game home to Busan IPark but was taken off. In this third outing came the ultimate indignity. Introduced from the bench at Bucheon, he had to be taken off.
Atkinson did not play until June 30 because of a hamstring injury he suffered in his K-League debut off the bench in Ulsan. He did not lead Daejeon to the championship. He was sold to their struggling rivals, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, where after two substitute appearances, he was injured—again.
His career was almost over. All that promise from a decade prior had been spent.
He reappeared on the bench at Seongnam on Aug. 19 and got a run-out, only to disappear until Sept. 19, when he finally started a K-League game. Jeonbuk lost 1-0 to LG Cheetahs. Atkinson was caught offside twice, then withdrawn. He never played professionally again.
As Atkinson's playing days ended, his smiles and cheerful persona remained in evidence publicly, but there were surely regrets.
In 1993, Hansen wrote: "What a shame it would be if he sits down in 10 years' time and bemoans the fact that he should have done better."
There were no punditry opportunities for Atkinson. Instead, he set up an agent's business, Players Come First, and returned to some of his old stomping grounds.
"Five or six years ago, Dalian came to Turkey to see me," Balli said. "He stayed in the Fenerbahce hotel. He said he was doing agent's business. I didn't see any, but people still recognised him and were pleased to see him."
In January 2011, Atkinson set up a Twitter account. His opening post: "Hey tweeps, thought I'd get involved. Follow me to stay in touch with my life."
The profile photo shows Atkinson the dandy, his hat lodged at a rakish angle.
After 28 tweets in a year, he went silent before returning in January 2014 to write a final prophetic message: "See you later guys. It's been emotional!"
He never deleted the account.
In 2015, Atkinson's player consultancy business failed. The last accounts in 2013 show liabilities of more than £80,000. Four directors resigned that year. When the business was dissolved in November 2015, Atkinson was the only person involved.
In 2015, Atkinson got back in touch with Al-Ittihad assistant manager Hassan Khalifa to ask for details of his games and goals in that incredible quadruple-winning season. Khalifa never found the records.
A year later, his health deteriorating rapidly and his mental health in question, Atkinson was dead.
His death was greeted with an outpouring of media coverage, but there was little focus on his brilliance—intermittent as it was—on the pitch.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: A tribute for Dalian Atkinson is seen on the screen inside the stadium during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Huddersfield Town at Villa Park on August 16, 2016 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by S
"Dalian was [an] outstanding player often [with a] cheerful smile on his face, was a friend to everyone," Khalifa wrote via WhatsApp.
"Many people liked him a lot as a person and a player because he made everyone happy by his unique personal wit and funny acting," Kyongdeok told Bleacher Report.
Everyone had liked Atkinson, but Hansen's prediction had come tragically true.
Two years after Atkinson had hung up his boots, the Times named eight players who "had it all to give but let it slip away."
Atkinson was there with Paul Gascoigne and George Best.
Former Villa striker Tony Cascarino said Atkinson "seemed to lack mental strength." Hogh said Atkinson was "a bit of a difficult child." Gorriz said he "lacked maturity" on arriving in San Sebastian.
The Spain international changed alongside Atkinson and tried to persuade the younger player of his potential if he only trained harder.
"He looked at me smiling with those white teeth and those mischievous eyes and said: 'Bixio, I have what I want, and I am happy,'" Gorriz said.
Under father figures like Davidovic and Ron Atkinson, Atkinson briefly excelled, and subsequent developments in sports science would surely have aided his injuries.
Told about Gorriz's memories, Ron Atkinson laughed.
"That was a conversation many of us had," he said. "He was happy-go-lucky. That's probably why he didn't make the absolute top. He also played in an era when England weren't badly off for centre-forwards, with players like Andy Cole, Les Ferdinand and Alan Shearer.
"He couldn't tear all over the pitch, as he was asthmatic, but I'd rate him up there with Cyrille Regis as one of the fastest players I'd ever worked with."
That quixotic image perhaps sums up the enigma of Dalian Atkinson.
*All quotes and information obtained firsthand unless indicated otherwise.
John Terry Completes Aston Villa Transfer After Leaving Chelsea
Jul 3, 2017
Chelsea's English defender John Terry gestures during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge in London on November 5, 2016.
Chelsea won the game 5-0. / AFP / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
The move was confirmed by Villa owner and chairman Tony Xia on Monday, with Terry's glittering Blues career having come to an end at the close of the 2016-17 season:
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻📞Welcome JT to Birmingham city...Aston Villa🌈!#UTV! @AVFCOfficial Announcement shortly!
"I am delighted to join Aston Villa," Terry said per the official Villa website. "It’s a club I have admired from afar for many years—there are fantastic facilities at Bodymoor Heath, Villa Park is one of the finest stadiums in the country and there’s a good group of players here, with an experienced and successful manager in Steve Bruce."
The veteran moves to a Villa side who will be seeking to mount a push for promotion back into the Premier League. Following their relegation in 2016, the Midlands club were only able to finish 13th last season.
Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph praised the defender for joining up with Steve Bruce at Villa Park instead of taking a more lucrative contract elsewhere:
Sums up Terry though that he has taken a new challenge rather than the biggest pay day. Sure he'll give it everything at Villa.
Terry joined the Blues' youth ranks in 1995 and made over 700 senior appearances for the west London club, winning five Premier League titles, five FA Cups,a UEFA Champions League and a UEFA Europa League. The 36-year-old became Chelsea captain in 2004.
Terry was nearing a departure from Chelsea at the end of 2015-16 but was eventually awarded a one-year contract extension to take him through to the end of the 2016-17 term.
It always seemed likely that would mark the final deal he was offered by Chelsea, and so it proved.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 21: John Terry of Chelsea poses with the Premier League Trophy after the Premier League match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on May 21, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
He has been a phenomenal servant to the club over the last two decades, but his role had become more limited under manager Antonio Conte.
Terry started four Premier League games at the beginning of the 2016-17 campaign but then suffered an injury. In his absence, Conte altered his system to a 3-4-3 formation, in which there was no space for the veteran when he returned to action.
The former England international has lost much of the sharpness that previously made him one of the best centre-backs in the world.
But his immense experience should make him a huge asset at Villa, likely his final destination before he calls time on a hugely successful playing career.
Steve Bruce Named Aston Villa Manager: Latest Contract Details and Reaction
Oct 12, 2016
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 28: Steve Bruce, manager of Hull City celebrates after the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Final match between Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley Stadium on May 28, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Aston Villa have announced the appointment of Steve Bruce as first-team manager a little more than a week after Roberto Di Matteo was relieved of his duties as coach of the Championship club.
Former Manchester United defender Bruce, 55, left the helm at Hull City in July and was linked with a series of positions in England's top two tiers before Villa announced his arrival on Wednesday:
The journeyman manager has come to Villa Park with the second-tier outfit currently sat 19th in the Championship, with bounce-back promotion to the Premier League his major target for the 2016-17 season.
Bruce has also become the latest manager to take on the task of rebuilding Villa to their former glory in the top flight, with the Claret and Blue having run through their fair share of coaches in recent times:
Aston Villa managers since February 2015:
—Paul Lambert —Tim Sherwood —Remi Garde —Eric Black (interim) —Roberto Di Matteo —Steve Bruce pic.twitter.com/BT12Bc5Nj7
The Birmingham outfit were relegated from the Premier League after finishing bottom of the table last season, amassing just 17 points and winning only three games throughout the 2015-16 league campaign.
Steve Clarke was in temporary charge of the Championship club following Di Matteo's underwhelming exit from the outfit, but the Sun's Graeme Bryce confirmed the Scot wouldn't be remaining at Villa Park.
Bruce's task looks like a steep one at first glance, with Villa having notched just a single victory in the Championship this season, the joint-worst record of any team in the division.
This will be Bruce's ninth managerial position since he stepped into coaching as Sheffield United chief in 1998, and the Mirror's Alex Richards suggested his experience may be what's needed to fire Villa back up England's ranks:
Should Bruce not be hired because he's not new or different? Should #AVFC go against what they need because it's not deemed sexy?
It seems as though the Villans are in good hands considering Bruce has gained promotion to the Premier League four times in his career, twice at the helm of Birmingham City and twice with the Tigers.
KICCA's Ian Stafford attested to the ex-United captain at least looking the part ahead of his return to management:
Have #AVFC announced Steve Bruce as their new manager yet? Spoke with him last week at the PL Legends dinner. In good form - and shape!
His first test in the new role will be at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers this Saturday, with Villa hoping to overturn midtable opposition and immediately send a message to the rest of the Championship.
Bruce has had fortune in his previous employment at Birmingham, but Villa will hope the former coach of their greatest rivals can shed some of that knowledge and bring them back to English football's promised land.
Former Aston Villa Striker Dalian Atkinson Dies at Age 48
Aug 15, 2016
1993: Portrait of Dalian Atkinson of Aston Villa. \ Mandatory Credit: Anton Want/Allsport
Former Aston Villa striker Dalian Atkinson has died at the age of 48 after being shot with a stun gun.
The Press Association reported Atkinson's death on Monday:
#Breaking Man who died after being Tasered in Telford named locally as former Aston Villa footballer Dalian Atkinson pic.twitter.com/Yu7jAT1Di0
According to ITV.com, West Mercia Police said in a statement: "West Mercia Police are unable to comment any further as the incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), as is normal procedure and will assist the IPCC with their inquiries."
On Thursday, Vikram Dodd of the Guardian reported two West Mercia police officers are under investigation.
Per MailOnline's Sam Tonkin, a West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said on Aug. 15:
We were called by West Mercia Police to an address in Meadow Close in the Trench area of Telford at about 1:45 a.m. this morning.
An ambulance was dispatched and upon arrival found a man who had been Tasered.
As he was being conveyed to Princess Royal Hospital, his condition deteriorated and he went into cardiac arrest.
Despite the efforts of the crew and hospital staff, it was not possible to save him and he was confirmed dead at hospital, shortly after arrival.
Per ITV.com, the police had responded to a call following "concerns for the safety of an individual" in the early hours of Monday morning, with the incident occurring at around 1:30 a.m.
According to the Sun's Lauren Fruen, Atkinson was tasered outside his father's home. Despite receiving medical attention, he was declared dead at approximately 3 a.m.
According to the Birmingham Mail's Graeme Brown, his former manager at Wednesday and Villa, Ron Atkinson, said:
This is an out-and-out tragedy.
He was a really popular player with team-mates. He was a really generous lad—sometimes too generous for his own good—but a good lad.
He always had a smile on his face and I really like that in a player.
He also had terrific ability. I always knew I didn’t need to worry about him in big games.
Like former Premier League footballer-turned-pundit Kevin Kilbane, many chose to remember Atkinson's wonder strike against Wimbledon in 1992, shared here by BenchWarmers:
WOW: Here's Dalian Atkinson's wonder goal against Wimbledon on October 3rd 1992. May he rest in peace...#AVFCpic.twitter.com/OJEYEn1BZ6
The goal was Match of the Day's Goal of the Season in the Premier League's inaugural campaign.
Another of Atkinson's career highlights was a goal against Manchester United in the 1994 League Cup final, which Aston Villa won 3-1.
Roberto Di Matteo Appointed Aston Villa Manager: Latest Details and Reaction
Jun 3, 2016
Schalke's head coach Roberto Di Matteo is pictured during the German first division Bundesliga football match of FC Cologne vs FC Schalke 04 in Cologne, western Germany on May 10, 2015. AFP PHOTO / SASCHA SCHUERMANN
RESTRICTIONS - DFL RULES TO LIMIT THE ONLINE USAGE DURING MATCH TIME TO 15 PICTURES PER MATCH. IMAGE SEQUENCES TO SIMULATE VIDEO IS NOT ALLOWED AT ANY TIME. FOR FURTHER QUERIES PLEASE CONTACT DFL DIRECTLY AT + 49 69 650050. (Photo credit should read SASCHA SCHUERMANN/AFP/Getty Images)
Roberto Di Matteo signed a deal to become the new manager of Aston Villa on Friday ahead of the side's first stint in the second tier for 28 years.
The agreement was announced by the club via Twitter:
Per a statement on the club's website, the Italian said: "It's a wonderful honour for me to become manager of this great football club and I'm looking forward to the challenge of taking Aston Villa back to its rightful place."
Journalists Nathan Judah and Dan Levene reacted positively to the appointment, while the Times' Oliver Kay gave a reminder of just how big a job he faces:
Di Matteo takes charge of a club in turmoil after a disastrous 2015-16 season. Villa were relegated from the top flight of English football for the first time since 1987 after gathering a meagre 17 points from their 38 Premier League games.
Tim Sherwood, Remi Garde and Eric Black took charge of the club during the turbulent campaign; Di Matteo will be hoping to fare a lot better.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 05: Gabriel Agbonlahor (L) and Jordan Ayew (R) of Aston Villa show their frustration after Machester City's fourth goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium on Marc
The 46-year-old heads to Villa Park with a fine reputation. During his playing days, he starred for Lazio and Chelsea, and he represented Italy on 34 occasions.
In management, after stints with MK Dons and West Bromwich Albion, Di Matteo memorably guided the Chelsea to their first UEFA Champions League triumph in 2012. He was sacked later that year following a poor run of form and took over at Schalke 04 in 2014; he resigned in 2015 after a sixth-place finish.
As noted by Bleacher Report UK, along with Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez, the Championship has two managers who have won the biggest prize in European club football:
What might be of more immediate concern to Villa fans is how he fared in England's second tier during his time there with the Baggies. WhoScored.com revealed his impressive win rate as he guided the West Midlands outfit to automatic promotion at the first attempt—appropriately going up with Newcastle:
Roberto Di Matteo: Has won 26 of the 46 Championship matches he has taken charge of as a manager (56.5%) #avfcpic.twitter.com/XisAqruYBM
While he has had success in the past, he’s never overseen two full seasons in any of his jobs to date.
Di Matteo pushed Chelsea to European glory.
His teams have played attractive football, particularly for spells at West Brom and Schalke. But when the situation required at Chelsea, Di Matteo was able to set his side up to perform outstanding defensive displays, most memorably in the semi-final and final of their 2012 Champions League wins against Barcelona and Bayern Munich respectively.
Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe thinks former Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson would have been a good fit, while Raj Bains of uMAXit Football is unsure whether Di Matteo is the right man:
The new Villa boss will inevitably bring in his own players and staff, but his main challenge will be galvanising a group that was undisciplined and unmotivated for long spells of the previous season. Black branded the club as “toxic” during his temporary spell in charge, per Stephen Turner of Sky Sports.
If Di Matteo can turn things around, the Midlands team could be a tremendous project for the Italian, as they’re one of the most prestigious and historical clubs in the English game. But there’s no denying the Italian will have his work cut out at Villa Park, having arguably taken on the toughest job of his career to date.
Aston Villa Sold to Dr. Tony Xia: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction
May 18, 2016
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 07: A general view of the stadium prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Newcastle United at Villa Park on May 7, 2016 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Aston Villa have been sold to Chinese businessman Dr. Tony Jiantong Xia, the club announced on Wednesday.
The club confirmed the news in a statement on their official website:
Aston Villa Football Club is pleased to announce that an agreement has been signed today for the sale of 100% ownership by Randy Lerner to Recon Group owned by Dr. Tony Jiantong Xia subject to the approval of the Premier League and the Football League. Once those approvals have been granted and the new board members approved under the fit & proper rules of both leagues, Dr. Xia will become Chairman of Aston Villa. The Club will announce the appointment of a new manager shortly.
Sky Sports' Pete Colley (h/t Sky Sports' Kaveh Solhekol) gave an estimate of the cost involved in buying the club:
From @petecolley - Chinese businessman Dr Tony Zia to buy Aston Villa for £60-70m. Deal could be done within the hour #avfc
According to the statement, Xia is a long-time Aston Villa fan and played football in college, with the sport remaining "his passion" in the years since—which was not lost on Bleacher Report UK's Sam Tighe:
"Dr Xia played football as a striker until he finished at college."
New #AVFC chairman and owner. Knows the game, is a football man etc.
Further, he has great ambitions for his new club: "Dr. Xia's immediate objective is to return Aston Villa to the Premier League and then to have the club finish in the top six, bringing European football back to Villa Park. He plans to make Aston Villa the most famous football club in China with a huge fan base."
The Daily Mail's Tim Nichols believes the Villa Park faithful will welcome the news of the takeover:
At last some good news for Villa fans. Pleased for them. Fans powerless when it comes to ownership and 'fit and proper' test has no...
Villa may have attempted to address that with background information on the consortium in their statement: "Recon Group is Dr Xia's privately owned holding company that owns the controlling interest in five publicly listed companies on the Hong Kong and Chinese stock exchanges and many other private companies employing 35,000 people in 75 countries."
Xia faces no small task in taking charge at the west Midlands club—particularly if they're to meet his ambitions of top-six finishes and European football.
Promotion back to the Premier League will be the priority first and foremost, though, and this could spark a series of sweeping changes at the club this summer as they prepare to take the Championship by storm.
Gabriel Agbonlahor Steps Down as Aston Villa Captain Following Club Suspension
Apr 28, 2016
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 30: Gabriel Agbonlahor of Aston Villa on the bench prior to the Emirates FA Cup match between Aston Villa and Manchester City at Villa Park on January 30, 2016 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images)
Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor has taken to social media to apologise to the club's supporters for his conduct in recent weeks and has stepped down as captain.
The player posted on Instagram to announce his resignation as skipper:
The former England international was suspended after being spotted out "partying" after Villa's exit from the Premier League, as reported by BBC Sport.
Agbonlahor has suffered a poor season, both individually and with his current crop of team-mates, as the Villa Park club crashed out of the top division.
The 29-year-old stalwart watched long periods of the campaign from the sidelines and stands as the club became rooted to the bottom of the table.
The attacker provided just one goal and two assists to the team's relegation survival battle in the Premier League, according to WhoScored.com.
STOKE-ON-TRENT, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 27: Gabriel Agbonlahor of Aston Villa during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Aston Villa at the Britannia Stadium on February 27, 2016 in Stoke-on-Trent, England. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty I
Villa issued a statement on their official website regarding the veteran and confirmed his suspension has now been lifted, making him available for future matches.
The statement read:
Aston Villa Football Club can confirm the investigation concerning Gabby Agbonlahor's conduct has reached a conclusion.
The player has received a substantial fine and been reminded of his responsibilities as a professional footballer at Aston Villa.
His suspension is now lifted and he will be available for selection from Monday.
Gabby has also advised he wishes to relinquish the role of Club captain.
Despite the player's recent actions, he could be a vital member of the team's fight to win promotion from the Championship next term.
Agbonlahor has years ahead of him yet, and he could atone for a poor season by guiding his side back to the glory of the Premier League.
