Early evening driving snow, sleet and rain threatened to jeopardise the whole event as the greyhound track became evermore waterlogged, but the weather relented in time for the first 'legends' night of 2008 to once again be a great success.

Although the very wintry conditions delayed the arrival of some, all the featured Aston Villa legends made it to the stadium before the racing started. A pre-race VIP reception was held in the stadium’s private function suite where race sponsors and their guests met and chatted to the former Aston Villa greats over a drink or two.

GORDON COWANS
Aston Villa: 1974-1991. Midfield. Capped for England at under-23, B and full international level. A member of the all-conquering League Championship, European Cup and European Super Cup winning teams of the early 1980's. Transferred to Bari in the Serie A in Italy before resigning for Aston Villa FC on two more occasions.

TONY DALEY
Aston Villa: 1984-1994. Forward. England international at Youth, Under-21, B, and full level. An extremely gifted forward with blistering pace and a scorer of spectacular goals. He played for Aston Villa from 1984 until his transfer to Wolves in 1994. He was dogged by serious injuries, which eventually forced him into premature retirement.

MARK DELANEY
Aston Villa: 1999-2007. Defender. Signed from Cardiff City in 1999 for an absolute bargain price of £250,000 and made 193 first team appearances before his enforced retirement in 2007 through persistent injuries. An outstanding full-back or centre-back, he also won 38 international caps for Wales.

BRIAN LITTLE
Aston Villa: 1969-1980. Striker. England international and an Aston Villa ‘all-time great’ who played in the 1975 League Cup and promotion winning team and in the 1977 League Cup winning team. Was Manager of Aston Villa from 1994 to 1998 and led to the team to League Cup victory over Leeds Utd in 1996.

PETER MCPARLAND
Aston Villa: 1952-1962. Winger/Striker. Scorer of the two goals that won the FA Cup Final for Aston Villa over Manchester United in 1957 and the winner in the 1961 League Cup Final. Won 34 caps for Northern Ireland and helped them reach the quarterfinal of the World Cup Finals in 1958. Also selected for the Football League X1 whilst at Aston Villa.

TONY MORLEY
Aston Villa: 1979-1983. Winger. Capped for England at Youth, under-23, B and full international level. A member of the all-conquering League Championship, European Cup and European Super Cup winning teams of the early 1980's. Won the BBC TV Match of the Day 'Goal of the Season' in 1981.

LEIGHTON PHILLIPS
Aston Villa: 1974-1979. Defender/Midfield. Wales international at schoolboy, under-21, under-23 and at full international level where he made 58 appearances, then a Welsh record. Joined from Cardiff City in 1974 and immediately helped the club win promotion to the top-flight. In 1977 he played in the League Cup winning side and became club captain.

GARY SHAW
Aston Villa: 1977-1988. Striker. Capped for England at Youth, under-23, and B international level. A member of the all-conquering League Championship, European Cup and European Super Cup winning teams of the early 1980's. Voted the ‘European Young Footballer of the Year' in 1982. A glittering career was cruelly cut short by injury.

STEVE STAUNTON
Aston Villa: 1991-1998 & 2000-2003. Defender/Midfield. A Villa Park ‘legend’ who had two separate spells at the club, joining from Liverpool on both occasions. A ‘world class’ defender, he played in three World Cup Finals with the Republic of Ireland and became their most capped player of all time with 102 appearances.

IAN TAYLOR
Aston Villa: 1994-2003. Midfield. Signed by Aston Villa from Sheffield Wednesday and made 234 appearances before transferring to Derby County. Scored in the 1996 League Cup Final 3-0 victory over Leeds Utd. Also played in the 2000 FA Cup Final versus Chelsea. An outstanding midfield player and 'Holte End Hero'.

A glittering array of talent from the rich history of Aston Villa Football Club that certainly justified the title of the event!

Eventually everyone took their seats in the restaurant alongside the finishing straight with panoramic views over the whole racetrack, in readiness not only for the racing but also for a hearty 3-course meal from the excellent a la carte menu. Waiting for the sponsor's on each of their tables was a bottle of champagne, with a personalised thank-you label from the Aston Villa FPA, to help get the evening off in style.

Throughout the evening the atmosphere in the restaurant was superb as former players and guests alike cheered on their selected dogs in each of the 12 races, with ‘c’mon my son’ and ‘go on you beauty’ tending to be the most popular chants in between the eating, drinking, conversation and laughter. Yes, this event now in its 11th year, was certainly living up to its reputation as a night of real fun and excitement!

During the evening the 'legends' happily signed autographs and posed for photographs with the other diners, and when the final race was run, the stories of winning bets and bad luck abounded. But common to all was a restaurant full of smiling faces. It had been another great night.

The players and the sponsors and their guests returned upstairs to the private function room for the post-race VIP reception to round off an enjoyable event that nearly became a victim of ‘climate change’ some 5 hours earlier. But not even the wet and windy conditions could dampen the spirits of all that attended.

The Aston Villa FPA extend their thanks to the following sponsors who helped make this another successful night –

We also thank everyone at Perry Barr stadium for their continued support of the Aston Villa Former Players Association and all those who attended on a 'dinner only' ticket.

Please see our EVENTS section for news of future Aston Villa FPA events.