I'm a big fan of Olof Mellberg and most of you will know this, however after writing this blog for nearly three years I've figured out that not everyone agrees with my opinion. If I said that snow was cold, someone would disagree.

So, I'm not saying the club should endorse Mellberg Day at the last home game of the season, I'm asking if you think it will be a good idea?

Arsenal did it for Dennis Bergkamp and while I don't like stealing other clubs ideas, this time I think it's a good one to borrow, because it's simply about wearing the yellow of Sweden.

Bergkamp Day was selected by Arsenal fans as one of the theme days for their last season at Highbury, but what is to say that the last home game of every season shouldn't become a themed day at Villa Park?

I'm asking this now, so the club have time to set it up and you all have time to buy a yellow t-shirt or some clever marketing chap quickly goes and produces some so we can sell as many as possible before May.

Mellberg joined us in 2001 and I don't think I've seen him give anything less than 100% when he has worn the shirt and for me, that's all you can ask of a player.

I'm sure everyone will agree that the last home game of last season was a huge success and for me, this is a wonderful opportunity for the club to continue what they started.

If you think the last game should be for Olof Mellberg this season, then all you've got to do is leave your comments below and answer our quick question to the right.

Comments (33)

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Claridge said:

Yeah i'm all for it.

January 29, 2008

peteb said:

Good idea! fully support it.

January 29, 2008

davida said:

Decent player. Not a great player. Why devalue the 'greats' by celebrating merely the average?

January 29, 2008

smylhr said:

perfect send of to the big man. utv

January 29, 2008

Milk said:

Davida: Because he has played with his heart for the past 7 years for us... Great idea Damian

January 29, 2008

worto03 said:

He maybe a tad average when compared to Bergkamp but from our teams perspective he has been almost as important as barry for a number of seasons! I'd be up for it worto.

January 29, 2008

Faroese Villa said:

Yeah he will become a legend for many years to come,,,!! Olof nr. 1..!!

January 29, 2008

Az_ said:

davida - Funny how the 'average' go to Juventus. He's been solid for us and gave his all for many years, shame he's off. I'm all for it though.

January 29, 2008

arronvilla said:

how can u call him average?! and yes fully support it! il be there in a yellow top why not even a fake beard and a viking hat haha UP THE VILL

January 29, 2008

dazblink said:

Yeah i want to give him a good send off. He has always given 100% and we should let him know he will be missed and let him know how much we appreciate him or anyone who plays their heart out wearing claret and blue. It will give the whole team a lift aswell

January 29, 2008

davida said:

Being frank and brutal: - he's been average to poor at best this season (admittedly he's playing out of position). - he's never so much as won player of the season for us (as far as I can recall) Don't get me wrong, I have no doubts he's a decent, honest pro who will give his all for us between now and May.....but a great player deserving of remembrance? No way.

January 29, 2008

mossiewalsh said:

should have done it for dion dublin, ian taylor and a few others aswell, bit late for them now thou but i think its a great idea for Ollie

January 29, 2008

kohoutek said:

Absolutely. He's been a stalwart through some very difficult times.

January 29, 2008

jaf said:

Well he is average, i agree he gives 100%. I must say if he was one of the greats somebody would have bought him for loads of cash years ago.. I know you live in sweden Damian, so you must agree he's not even hailed as a great by his home country..

January 29, 2008

Robbie said:

I love the guy, he's given his all every year at villa, and he means a hell of a lot to us fans, and he deserves the great send off that Bergkamp got at Arsenal. Yellow shirts, beards, viking hats the whole shabang...Wigan will not know what hit them. And Damian, by the way, snow isn't cold.

January 29, 2008

coeur de lion said:

You dont just honour the greats. Ian Taylor wasnt great, a hero doesnt have to be, and Taylor was certainly a hero. Mellberg uncomplainingly served us while players of his ilk were putting in tranfer requests. I'll be there with a beard, yellow t-shirt and a viking hat. The club endorsing it isnt necessary, I like to think it would mean more if we did it off our own back.

January 29, 2008

anotherjames said:

Do it. I don't think the last day of the season should be a themed thing every year (as fun as it can be) though. Mellberg deserves a great sending off, he's always played with that passion that some of the English lads seem to miss sometimes. I'm going to grow my beard for that day... not sure about a yellow t-shirt though, the only ones I have are Brazil shirts!

January 29, 2008

VILLA82 said:

Good idea, he's been a great servent and was a good captain. Mellberg never started moaning and requesting a transfer when he lost the armband which is credit to the man, he was putting the team first. I think he is worthy of a good send off!

January 29, 2008

mickey86 said:

the croud at villa park mostly dont wear villa shirts so doubt they will wear a yellow shirt, but would be a good idea.

January 29, 2008

Nick said:

Snow isnt cold, its freezing..

January 29, 2008

ozavfc21 said:

im all for joining in to send him off but we didnt do anything for players who gave as much if not more.

January 29, 2008

#1Villan said:

100% behind this, The most professional player at Villa Park for the last 7 seasons, and one of my favorites in that time

January 29, 2008

davida said:

"You don't just honour the greats" Perhaps that's whats gone wrong with the game? If Mellberg turned down Juve and stayed with us for 10 years - fine. Grant him a testomonial. He hasn't so why honour someone who hasn't won us a trophy and was never voted player of the year? Nice bloke tho I'm sure he is. He's not deserving of it.

January 29, 2008

Nick said:

Ok, STOP. Mellberg is and always will be a Villa legend. He saved us from relegation, he plays with his heart everygame (look at the way petrov plays sometimes, like he has never left his bed) I will really really miss Mellberg, he personafies villas attitude and i think should be honoured. Hes been a loyal servant at Villa park for years now and must have been the first name down on the team sheet for many years, give the man a testimonial if only so i can get dressed up as a Viking for the day!

January 29, 2008

Madarab said:

all for it. That we didn't do it for those in the past is no reason to not start a positive trend. He has been a great servant and model professional.

January 29, 2008

ste23 said:

i think the negative posters on this thread have very short memories

January 29, 2008 | url

Robbie said:

I guess it's also because Mellberg is leaving us whilst he's still playing well, and Villa are playing well...and the fact that Mellberg is our novelty player, what with his big beard. Lee Hendrie was a good servant to us, never asked to leave, and always gave 100%, but there wasn't any petition to get him a big themed send off. But i fully support this idea for Mellberg, because for a reason i cannot fathom, i think he deserves it.

January 29, 2008

ozavfc21 said:

i gotta agree wiv u ste23

January 29, 2008

pazzler said:

he despises the noses, course he deserves this!

January 29, 2008

anthony - daventry said:

As a Villa supporter for many years I read these postings and can only imagine that many of you are either very young or do not go down and therefore do not know that crack so to speak... Mellberg.... Umm... now should we give him a send off eh - ater all he has only played more than half of his career for the club, is the former club captain and feels for the club like no other foreign player I have come cross "remember the comments prior to the blues games a few years back" Sure he is no ledgend in the eyes of many Villa supporters like Taylor and Dulin but the difference is we didnt receive 5 months pre advice that Taylor and Dublin would be leaving unless I am mistaken?? What makes a Villa ledgend in your eyes and I would like you to answer me - quality? Success? Loyalty? - For those of you who still shout about Spinksy and Birchy and Alan McInally and are old enough to remember them plyers you will realise that heither of them were quality, successful or indeed loyal (Spink coaching in latter years with Blues) Mellberg is a quality premiership player and 100% committed and I personally am pleased tbat his efforts have landed him a move to one of the biggest clubs in the world... He deserves it, those who cannot see the need to recognise this for me are simply missing the poin here.

January 29, 2008

Leroy said:

Sorry, i dont agree. What has he brought us, apart from Marcus Allback? He doesnt care about the club as much as everyone makes out, he stayed here because he signed a contract. How very loyal of him. Now as our club is on the rise he goes to a bigger club for more money. He wouldnt have gotten that contract in any other year of his Villa career, the only reason he got it this year is because of our position on the table, it cant be because of his performance this season because hes been playing out of position and has been abused by 9 out of every 10 wingers hes faced. Solid performer but not worthy of his own day for heaven sakes.......

January 30, 2008

MidlanderinChina said:

He worked his tits off and when we were rubbish a couple of years ago he may just have made the difference between us staying up or going down. If we had gone down there would be no Lerner, no MoN.... Should we give him a decent send off? Duh?

January 31, 2008

Villa_Dan said:

is this happening?

April 11, 2008

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