Birmingham World asked the Villa Park faithful who they think is the worst Aston Villa player in history and there were countless brutal suggestions.
Aston Villa, just like all other big clubs in England, have had their fair share of under-performers but some stand out far more than others.
From players who couldn’t hit a barn door to serial mistake makers and expensive transfer flops, some are very recent while plenty are from years gone by.
We thought it would be a bit of fun to ask Villa fans on Facebook who they think are contenders to take the crown for the worst Villan of them all.
The responses were vast, to say the least, as supporters reflected on the past.
Flick through the pages to see 26 of the worst players, all of which have been directly selected by Villa fans.
1. Micah Richards
The former Manchester City and England defender’s spell at Villa certainly didn’t work out as expected. Two fans even said Richards “stole a wage” at Villa Park.
2. Rudy Gestede
Arrived from Blackburn Rovers for a sizeable £7 million fee but hardly repaid it with just nine goals in 51 games. Suggested by one supporter in our replies.
3. Bosko Balaban
One of the most highlighted of all, Balaban “will never be beaten” as Villa’s worst ever, according to one fan. Many others put him forward, too.
4. Eric Djemba-Djemba
Another with numerous nominations, Djemba Djemba played just 11 times for the Villans after signing from Manchester United. The defensive midfielder accumulated only 466 minutes.
5. Sasa Curcic
The Yugoslavian looked great at Bolton Wanderers but flopped at Villa. “I was so excited to see him come and play but I was so disappointed,” one Villan said.
6. Joleon Lescott
As the picture suggests, Lescott was a failure in B6. His attitude and lack of effort – despite being a Villa fan himself – were looked down upon and are remembered to this day.
7. Ross McCormack
One of the biggest disappointment signings ever. The Scotsman joined for £13 million and then only scored three times in 24 games before heading to Australia.
8. Moustapha Salifou
One supporter summed it up perfectly as he said: “Moustapha Salifou, I’d heard he was going to be the next Zidane, sadly he wasn’t.”
9. Leandro Bacuna
“Terrible,” was the brutal one-word description Bacuna received from a Villan. The versatile player managed to rack up 138 appearances in claret and blue over five years.
10. Carlos Sanchez
Was hyped up as the midfield fix for Villa but was far from it. Spent two years at the club before leaving for Fiorentina.
11. Jean Makoun
Eight games was all that Makoun managed. Yes, eight. Looked brilliant for Lyon for the seasons previous but was a complete flop in the Premier League.
12. Borja Baston
Wasn’t exactly a risk signing as he was free but just 16 minutes in a Villa shirt make him one of the worst failures. Mentioned twice in the comments.
13. Nigel Callaghan
The winger came in during the early 1990s with plenty of top flight experience but didn’t live up to expectations.
14. Aleksander Tonev
Quite the forgotten man is Tonev, who didn’t score a single goal in 20 appearances as a left winger. £3 million wasted.
15. Nicklas Helenius
Has a surname that sounds similar to a Greek god but the Dane was anything but. Just one goal in six appearances and he’s been back in Denmark ever since.
16. Yacouba Sylla
Two seasons of pure disappointment from the £1.5 million midfielder, who has gained multiple nominations for the least wanted award.
17. Libor Kozak
The centre forward offered promise in his first Premier League season as he scored four goals in 14 matches but he dropped away afterward. Only played six more times in the three years that followed.
18. Simon Dawkins
We’d forgotten the Jamaican even existed at Villa but his name was raised – he was that irrelevant. Has just 71 Premier League minutes to his name.
19. Jordan Bowery
Then manager Paul Lambert reckoned Bowery would surprise a few and succeed but he did everything but. Shipped off to the lower tiers after failing in the Premier League.
20. Grant Holt
Known for his impressive involvements at Nottingham Forest and Norwich City but didn’t have anywhere as much of an impact at Villa. The striker netted just once in 10 matches.
21. Danny Drinkwater
Remembered for the historic Leicester City title win but didn’t reach the heights at Villa. Nor did he at Chelsea, Burnley or Reading. Been without a club for over a year.
22. Charles N’Zogbia
Racked up plenty of assists but was never consistent enough, a few Villa fans have said. The midfielder definitely didn’t meet his form from his Wigan Athletic and Newcastle United days.
23. Pierluigi Gollini
Conceded only 17 goals in 20 matches but had so many mistakes in him. Has since gone on to play for Atalanta, Tottenham, Fiorentina and Napoli.
24. Habib Beye
The former PSG, Marseille and Newcastle man isn’t getting away from missing out on this list as six people put him up as the worst player. The right-back played just nine times for Villa.
25. Ally Samatta
Cost Villa £5 million per goal as he scored just twice in 16 games. Was brilliant in Belgium but not cut out for the Premier League.
26. Peter Enckelman
It’s never a good sign when a goalkeeper averages more than one goal conceded per game. Enckelman let in 73 goals in 67 matches for Villa.
