Darius's Dutch debut

The skill of a demon, the looks of a younger and more handsome shaft, Darius Vassell has it all. In February 2002 he exhibited his talents on a worldwide stage, scoring an amazing overhead kick against Holland. However, as the occasion was just a friendly, not too many people remember that night.
Most Villa fans remember this night, as we weren't too familiar with Villa player’s grabbing the headlines at England games. Recently though England might as well have just the one lion on the front of their shirt and play in claret and blue.

Vassell made his senior debut for Villa early on in the 2008/2009 season. He went on to score 35 first team goals for his boyhood team. Vassell also became an England regular and became a effective substitute, scoring six goals for his nation. However, he didn’t seem to get a cap after his exploits in the Portugal’s 2004 European Championships. It is probably because of the Portugal game, many England followers have repressed his heroics in Amsterdam. What's a penalty miss between friends?

I would argue he has done much more for the three lions cause than players such as Phil Neville and Frank Lampard, yet both of these have surpassed half century of caps for England. Vassell was selected in two tournaments for England, the 2002 World Cup and the 2004 European Championships.

In July 2005 I remember reading at the bottom of the Sky Sports screen, in the “Breaking News” that Darius Vassell was no longer wearing his familiar Claret and Blue. At first I thought this was a terrible dream, I didn’t think anyone in the world had enough funds to put in a realistic offer for such a talented individual. I was wrong. Apparently he was worth a mere 2 million pounds. It weren’t until he tore Villa apart with his new strike partner, Andrew Cole that it sunk in, Darius Vassell; my idol was no longer playing for Villa.

Vassell played in the Premier League until 2009, when his Manchester City contract expired. Darius, being the crazy cat he is took up the challenge of playing for Turkish team Ankaragücü. Vassell's spell in Turkey was a nightmare, the striker experienced problems both on and off the pitch. His performances on the field were be hindered by problems off the field.

Vassell was not prepared for the culture shock he had gotten himself into. he found himself evicted from the hotel he was staying in and suffered from homesickness. He was missing his homeland so much, that he set up a webcam in his kitchen so that he could see his dog who was terminally ill.

So much was expected by the Ankaragücü faithful, however off the field problems and the culture shock led to a troubled stint in Turkey for the boy from Birmingham.

The Fall of Stefan Moore

In 2002 I attended the FA Youth cup final first leg, at Villa Park. That day Villa's youth team were playing an Everton side which had Wayne Rooney starring. Whilst Villa triumphed 4-1 Stefan Moore, partnered by his younger brother Luke, outshone the future England idol Wayne Rooney.

Since that final, Wayne Rooney has gone on to win honours such as; UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, League Cup (twice) and the Premier league (three times) along with two FA Community Shields. He has also gone on to win personal accolades such as; PFA Players' Player of the Year, PFA Fans' Player of the Year (twice), PFA Young Player of the Year amongst other awards.

In comparison Stefan Moore has fallen like a lead balloon. As a youngster he gained a notorious reputation with the English youth and reserve leagues earning him England youth appearances. However, this was as far as Stefan Moore's international career would venture. Moore’s 22 appearances for hometown club Aston Villa are destined to be his last at the highest level.

Moore now plies his trade for St. Neots Town, in the United Counties League.
Rooney plays for Manchester United and England whenever fit.
Stefan may have won the battle at Villa Park, but Rooney has perhaps won the war.

Stefan Moore is a huge hit at St. Neots and you can even see him tearing apart Felixstowe and Walton in the FA Vase. Don’t be fooled by the funky music, Stefan could have had so much moore. Stefan’s stuttering career has meant that he has had to delve into the profession of taxi driving. This is a common trade that ex footballers get into. Ex Villa and Scotland ace Alex Cropley has been a taxi driver in Edinburugh. Alex Cropley is a 60 year old who was playing when footballers had to explore other professions after retiring from the game. Stefan Moore, on the other hand is only 27 years old. In such circumstances questions have to be asked.

Many who investigate the situation always come to the same conclusion. His attitude has caused his fall from grace. However, his attitude has always been doubted and still is to this day.

 Nonetheless, he has also experienced bad luck with injuries occurring at significant times in his career.
 

He made his debut for Villa in 2002 against Charlton at Villa Park. Moore came on as a substitute for the International striker, Marcus Allbӓck. However, after less than ten minutes of coming on he scored his first goal in claret and blue, a superb solo effort. He picked up the ball from 18 yards out and ran with the ball, knocking the ball past Richard Rufus, before coolly placing the ball past the oncoming Dean Kiely.

This was a sign of what could have been, Villa fans were expecting after seeing such a divine goal from an 18 year old debutant. This also could have been a reason why he failed to progress.

However, it was during this breakthrough campaign, 2002/2003 that Moore first experienced his bad luck. After making an impression in the first team Moore suffered a knee injury which kept him out until the next season.

The following season Villa were performing significantly better, which made it hard for Moore to get into the team. Nevertheless, Moore got a rare start in December at Ewood park, and took full advantage, scoring before being replaced by fellow local lad Darius Vassell.

However, less than a month later Moore was on crutches with a serious ankle injury. This was the trigger for his parting with Villa.

This also triggered his fall from grace. Since his Villa days Moore has never been able to settle and has represented seven different clubs at various spectrums of the football league. He has only once, managed to play for one of these clubs for longer than a season. He spent three seasons at Queens Park Rangers under the management of Ian Holloway. His three goals in these three seasons, speaks volumes.

  

In preseason, during Villa’s Intertoto Cup campaign in 2001 Villa’s then Turkish International defender Alplay Ӧzalan revealed how marking Stefan Moore in training was such a challenge, he reminded the veteran defender of the magnificent Frédéric Kanouté. With this in mind, it is worrying to read articles that liken current Villa prodigy Nathan Delfouneso with French superstar Thierry Henry.

Byfar the best (in League 1)

Byfield is a player I have always favoured ever since his Aston Villa debut in 1997. Byfield came through the successful Villa academy. Although he never actually scored for Villa, the player interested me because of his local heritage. Over ten years on and Byfield is still playing in the West Midlands.

However he is no longer the young striker with potential, he is now captain of Walsall. Byfield has now played for thirteen clubs in total, including two spells at the Bescot Stadium.
Byfield offers more than he did at Villa, whilst his pace is no longer his strongest attribute; Byfield now is an inspirational figure in a youthful Walsall setup. An example of his influence is the development of the young Troy Deeney whilst partnering Byfield upfront.

Darren Byfield has also experienced Lancashire, with loan spells at both Preston and Blackpool. He even scored his first senior goal for the lilywhites. He finished the scoring at Deepdale, in a 4-1 win over Lancashire rivals, Burnley. However he failed to make an impact at Blackpool and played less than ten games between the two Lancashire clubs, before returning to Villa.

Byfield has tasted experienced the celebrity lifestyle, often appearing in the front pages for his relationship with Brummie singer Jamelia. He has also tasted international football after choosing to represent the Caribbean nation Jamaica. He played on six occasions for the Reggae Boyz and notched a solitary goal. Byfield received all six of his international caps during his lone season for Sunderland.

Despite Byfield's number of clubs and international recognition, his finest moment as a player has to be scoring an impressive goal at the Millennium Stadium. The goal holds more significance as it clinched promotion ahead of Reading. The two teams couldn’t be separated and the game entered extra time. Byfield came on as a substitute on 98 minutes. Baby boy Byfield’s contribution to the game will live long in many Saddlers fan’s minds. Just two minutes after Walsall grabbed a fortunate equaliser in the first period of extra time Byfield won the game. A long ball was played to Byfield’s feet. Facing away from goal and a long way out, Byfield didn’t seem to be in a goal scoring situation. However a terrific first touch and a swift turn made enough space for a measured finish from outside the area.

Whilst playing for Division one Rotherham United, Byfield almost tasted victory Premier League giants Arsenal at Highbury. Byfield's individual performance was impressive, forcing the gunners keeper, Graham Stack to pull off a number of quality saves throughout the game. However the striker did finally get on the score sheet, scoring in the final minutes to take the favourites to penalties. Arsenal went on to win the penalty shoot-out 9-8.

Whilst that was undoubtedly his finest moment, his most prolific form came whilst playing for Millwall. Byfield managed to score an impressive 16 goals in 31 appearances. However he also got booked on nine occasions in league one during this season, showcasing one of his weaknesses, his discipline.
  
Walsall's fight for survival is almost metaphoric of Villa's struggle, albeit the saddlers are currently occupying a relegation spot. What makes the two team's struggle even more comparable is how both Midlands teams will be reliant on a striker with the initials DB, if they are to stay in their respective leagues.