When Gareth Barry finally decides to retire from playing football, which I have no doubt will be at Aston Villa, the club will endorse a Gareth Barry Day. Without a doubt he'll deserve it and even I'll buy the t-shirt.

Barry will be with us for another few seasons and I reckon he'll play well over 500 games and nobody can doubt his love and support for the club.

But against Wigan on May 3rd it will the last time Olof Mellberg puts on the claret and blue shirt and plays at Villa Park, and I for one have enjoyed watching him play for us.

We asked, back in January if the club should endorse an Olof Mellberg Day and of the almost 400 people that voted, over 85% said they should.

Well, they haven't come out yet and endorsed it but that doesn't mean you shouldn't go out and buy your Viking hat or wear yellow and blue on the day, in recognition of his time at Aston Villa.

Mellberg has recently spoken about maybe one day coming back to Villa as a coach too, so it's quite clear he loves the club. "Would I like to come back to Villa as a coach? If you would have asked me a few years ago I would have definitely said no to staying within football.

"But I'm more interested in it now. I watch more football now and certainly follow it more than I used to so it is a possibility. It would be nice to coach at Villa."

He may have only been with us for seven years, but it's his passion and desire that many of us appreciate and can any of us forget his comments before a Birmingham City match?

I could never think about playing for Birmingham City. That's not an option. I made up my mind during the games at their stadium. The atmosphere between the players was not brilliant and I've just got the feeling that I don't like Birmingham City at all.

Love him or hate him, whenever he pulled on the shirt he gave 110% and for that, I think he should get a good send off and the point of this post is just to remind you that on May 3rd, against Wigan, it will be his last game. Make it a good send off.

Comments (35)

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jaf said:

He doesnt deserve his own day..! He could of stayed at villa and been part of this up and coming team, but he took the CASH instead..! He wont be a regular stater for Juve, its a sign of the times when an average player goes to weaker league just for the money. As for him joining Small Heath, of course he wouldnt they car't afford his wages..!

April 11, 2008

McGrathforPM said:

What a load of rubbish jaf! Olof has bee a great servant for the club and deserves a big send off. He has paid his dues to the club and who can blame him for going off to Juve to have a last cash-filled hurrah before retirement. Realistically, what future is there for him at the Villa anyway? I fully expect us to buy another centre back and a right back during the summer so even if he were to stay, he probably wouldn't get many games. He has been a great player for us and I for one will be at the Wigan game to cheer him for the last time.

April 11, 2008

Chrisodon said:

Ah good old olaf i'll miss his on off viking beard.

April 11, 2008

CSM said:

I for one will be sporting my Viking Horns on May 3rd. How can we not give Olaf a massive send off. To stay with one club for 7 years is impressive especially when you think he has lived through the David O'Dreary era. Plus this is the man who took Thierry Henry's Showcase by scoring the first Premiership goal at the Emirates! Can't blame the guy for going to Juve, he could of gone in January but gave us another 6 months.

April 11, 2008

AVMark said:

McGrathforPM - none of these players are great servants mate. They are stars we are the bloody idiots. £900 MILLION per year from Sky each year to the Premiership. That's a potential average of £50 MILLION per club. Another way of putting it is everyone who attended a home game at the Villa this season could have been given £70 per game attended each!

April 11, 2008

jinksy said:

He's been a great servant for us, it's a shame he got stuck at right back this season because it's made a very good cetre half look like a very average player & thats not his fault. How MON keeps picking knight over Olly is beyond me.

April 11, 2008

jaf said:

Ha, could have gone in January..? He didnt go because Juve wouldnt pay a fee..! Nothing to do with him being a great servant.

April 11, 2008

theprimeminister said:

I'l be there. Best at the back since McGrath at Villa. Fair play for taking the final pay day at Juve.

April 11, 2008

B6 Warrior said:

He Definitely deserves a mellberg day. 7 years ago he rejected Inter to come to Villa.. 7 years ago we didnt deserve a player like him. he's definitely a Villa Great.. For me Anyway.. Jaf is talking Rubbish.. Probably Supports Birmingham..

April 11, 2008

villafandan said:

ollie's given us his best years i though i'd love to have seen him stay i couldn't begrudge him making some extra money in his last couple of playing years. he's given us his best years, when perhaps he deserved better. he's always given 100%, been a great leader and ambassador for the club. he's a great character too!! does he deserve a little recognition before he leaves?? well, if Olof Mellberg doesn't then who the hell does?!?!? bring on the viking hats baby!!!

April 11, 2008

Leroy said:

I voted against the "Olof Mellberg Day". I think he has been a solid contributer over the years but hes no hero. I think that the sign of a great player and ultimately one who deserves his own "day" is that when they go they leave a gaping void, which takes time for the club to get over and has given fans moments to remember and not just one, albeit very funny quote from the local derby. Sorry if it sounds a bit cutting, but in a season or two no one will be speaking of Olof Mellberg at Aston Villa unless he actually does return as a coach one day

April 11, 2008

LoveDon said:

What a legen Mellberg is! I was absolutely gutted when he decided enough was enough. No one can fault him for wanting to go to Juve, if i played for Villa in the conbstantly overcast city of birmingham i would jump at the chance to play in Italy on a mega pay rise in the nice weather with all those lovely Italians girls! He deserves a gerat send off, and i for one will be in the holte end with my viking beard and sweden shirt on, i wish him all the best and i,m still gutted hes going, but i also think its the right time for him to move on as we can now get a better quality right back in now ( i know he doesnt play there naturally before you all correct me!)

April 11, 2008

Villa_Rules said:

Barry being linked with chelsea today i wouldnt be suprised if we let him go nothing suprises me when it comes to transfer market time Olaf mellberg deserves a big day on his last game for us lets just hope he dosnt get injuerd before hand

April 11, 2008

villadaz said:

Melberg has been a solid, reliable defender for us and has at times single handle been respsonsible for clean sheets. Forget about Jaf...Jaf my name Jaffa by nature!!!

April 11, 2008

nan was a fan said:

He should have stayed. Not sure about my hat.

April 11, 2008

Arrlui said:

The guy leathered Freddie Ljungberg... course he's a legend. I'm paying my respects to the best Villa centre back in the last 7 years. Good thing we have Laursen to take up his mantlepiece (sic). I truly he hope he returns as our defensive coach in 5 years. Get in Ollie!

April 11, 2008

MJC said:

100% behind OMD. Quality guy always got time for the fans. I wished him all the best at Bodymoor Heath the other week.

April 11, 2008

Jimmy Villain said:

Jaf you are a twat, Olaf's been class for us for the last 7 years. Viking hats on chaps…

April 11, 2008

taglor said:

Thanks for doing the job that made you a millionaire it must have taken guts to play 90 mins of kicking a ball around every week, you deserve even more money because you want to move to another club. Such a hero all the old soldiers on pensions were never as deserving as you. This world is so F**ked and the money so wrongly distributed.

April 11, 2008

boyo from bris said:

i might even grow a beard

April 12, 2008

Jimmy Villain said:

What is wrong with people knocking Mellberg? Taglor why write that? Are you even a Villa fan or are you on some moral tip? He's a f* football player, an entertainer, they all make a lot of money the same way that boxers and tennis players do. People go to see them and get paid to entertain, that what they do and that's why they are paid the salaries they are paid, it's business pal get over it. I'd rather watch him and pay than have to listen to your depressing tones on this blog, jesus. Could we please stay on topic on this blog, all you f* moaning depressing tossers go see your therapists… Thanks

April 12, 2008

AV33 said:

Olly has been a great servant to Aston Villa. I think his best years for us were played at centre back. He coped well when put to right back but his distribution let him down from that position. I can't blame him for taking his swan song in Italy (i suggested his head was already there weeks ago before he got sent off). My point is...he's been a great servant and i'm all for the beards and sweden gear on his last day with us but Villa legend...i'm not so sure. Mr Paul McGrath, Mr Dennis Mortimer etc...... Anyway...UP THE VILLA

April 12, 2008

vogra said:

i agree, he's been a great player for the club, wouldnt class him as a legend but he's done his service and as much as i don't want him to go, Juventus is a massive club and i think it time for him to move on. Just hope he scores on the last game of the season.

April 12, 2008

Leroy said:

@ Jimmy Villian, "what is wrong with people knocking Mellberg?". Nothing is wrong with it,just like there is nothing wrong with praising him. Im saying hes not a legend and agree with AV33 all the way. Ill be standing showing my appreciation vs Wigan like everyone else, i just dont think hes a Villa legend, you obviously do, which is your opinion....

April 12, 2008

Jimmy Villain said:

Leroy, never said he was a legend read the post again carefully, just sick of people bloody moaning all the time and veering off topic from the original article. Mellberg is not a legend, not like Cowans et al, but he's given the club 7 years of service and I for one think that worth a festive send off. Jaf's comments were stupid and I have no idea what Taglor was on, sounds a bit depressed to me. I also agree with AV33, and it's nice to see someone putting together a constructive comment rather than a pointless rant for a change…

April 12, 2008

taglor said:

@ Jimmy Villain, first of all you don't listen to this blog you read it, and secondly I'm sorry if I upset you as you obviously are very protective about your favourite bearded man and love him very much.

April 12, 2008

pazzler said:

woteva, its the end of an era. he has served us for several seasons. good luck to him.

April 12, 2008

Jimmy Villain said:

Taglor, I suggest you finish your G.C.S.E English class and come back with something meaningful

April 12, 2008

AVMark said:

Most over-rated player in my time down the Villa (40 years). 100%r though so fair play.

April 12, 2008

WayneG said:

I like Olof, he deserves a good send off, but there's a little bit of ice in his heart. Very Swedish. He probably doesn't even get really emotional when watching his collection of porno videos.

April 13, 2008

Brian May said:

He dont deserve it all. Very overrated, be glad to see the back of him. just because he has been here 7years and dont like blues hardly makes him legend.

April 13, 2008

Joseph Bayliss said:

What fans need to remember, is that Olof as been with us through the bad times, and although I kind of agree that it seems a silly time to leave while we are a better club then a few years back. I understand why he as decided to join Juve. Even tho I personally find the Italian leagues a absolute bore I think he'll do well there and hope he does well. We'll all miss that beard tho Maybe we can get Laursen to grow a beard!

April 13, 2008

BigAnd said:

I'm amazed at how many muppets write on this site; Olof Mellberg has been with us through some pretty bad years and always given 110%. he was always playing international football and probably could have gone long before now; why does he not deserve a good send of? He has been fortunate enough to have a talent that most of us would give our right arm for and rake the money is accordingly. Why shouldn't he get a nice pay day from Italy before the end of his career? He has given everything for this club and would do it all over again if he were 22!!

April 15, 2008

Plews said:

He'll always be remembered in the Holte End in my opinion. He's been the cement in our defence in his 7/9 years here at Villa Park. We can't just let him leave without a good sendoff for him. Viking Hats and Sweden Shirts all round!!!

April 19, 2008

davetheram said:

Derby fan in peace. always liked melberg for some reason (must be a beard thing) but i can't comprehend why any villa fans would begrudge a player who has been with you so long a nice send-off. it's not like he's cr*p either! we'd all jump at the chance to play in italy. i for one will be sad to see him leave english football. (good win on saturday btw - glad it's not just us that get a shedload put past us by you lot - and always good to see that lot lose.)

April 22, 2008

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