Paul McGrath talks about his magical memories

Paul McGrath talks Fergie, Busby and explains why nothing will ever compare with Italia 90, writes Phil Campion

It almost 20 years since Paul McGrath left Aston Villa, yet the terrace chant of ‘Paul McGrath, my Lord’ is the loudest and most frequently sung of all songs at Villa Park.

In an area steeped in football history with stars like Billy Wright and Trevor Francis adored by locals, the Irish defender has been taken to the Brummie hearts even though he has no local connections and joined the club under a cloud after being moved on from Manchester United with dodgy knees to the midlands where he was expected to fail.