They used to play for Villa #6 - Gary Cahill
One of the most unpopular decisions made by Martin O’Neill at Aston Villa was the day he sold fans favourite Gary Cahill to Bolton for £5M in January 2008. At 22 years of age, Cahill seemed to have the world at his feet. A number of assuring performances in the Villa backline had led many supporters to praise the player who they believed would go on to win many England caps.
Cahill had signed for Villa as a schoolboy and came through the academy at the club. He impressed many people when on loan for Burnley and went on to win the player of the year and young player of the year in 2004. He impressed on his first start for Villa against West Bromwich Albion in April 2006. But it was a week later when Cahill really became a Holte End darling. The visit of Birmingham City for the bitter local derby was a much awaited fixture in the second city. With the score 1-1, Cahill unleashed a superb volley which beat Maik Taylor and screamed into the net. Villa went on to win the game 3-1.
Martin O’Neill’s decision to sell Cahill to Bolton continues to puzzle many supporters to this very day. When you look at Villa’s defensive frailties in recent times, you can’t help but think how things may have been different if Cahill was given a proper chance to impress the Villa boss. O’Neill instead went for Zat Knight, Curtis Davies and later on Carlos Cuellar to battle it out for two places in the absence of Martin Laursen.
Cahill has won many admirers with his performances for Bolton. Despite his manager Gary Megson calling for Fabio Capello to call him up, it remains to be seen whether the defender can get ahead of stiff competition in England’s defence. Cahill’s recent questioning of Capello’s decision to pick Villa’s Emile Heskey ahead of Bolton striker Kevin Davies wont have done him any favours.
With news that Martin Laursen could be forced into early retirement as he struggles to regain fitness, some Villa fans have suggested that O’Neill swallows his pride and moves to bring back Cahill to Villa Park in the summer.
