It's that time of year when we're all sweating on whether the big four will come in for our A-list players. Will Barry go to Anfield? Is O'Neill good enough and persuasive enough to keep Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonlahor at Villa Park? Is the Chairman prepared to back these excellent players' ambitions with the necessary cash to see Villa mount a serious challenge for trophies next season?

And at the same time, we're all voting on who should be "player of the year". I don't care whether you've cast your vote for Gabby's lethal pace, the uncontrollable jinkery of Ashley Young or the masterful midfield performances of our skipper (let's forget about Wigan).

But I do think that one player in our first team squad deserves a special mention in dispatches. And that player is Stuart Taylor.

Firstly, I think Taylor is an excellent goalkeeper. I always preferred him to Sorensen before Scott Carson arrived, and I have never seen him put a foot wrong on the infrequent occasions he's been called upon for first team duty.

Although the game was already lost, saving Rooney's penalty when cold off the bench earlier in the season said it all for me about this great professional.

But it's not about that. Like with so many things, it's about attitude. While Sorensen has grumbled and moaned his way through a season in the reserves, Taylor has kept his head down, stayed positive and done his job superbly when called upon.

As a permanent resident of block M4 in the lower Doug Ellis, I see Taylor at close quarters before every game as he's putting the crosses in for Carson's warm-up: always a smile and a joke with the kids, as well as being completely focused.

It must be tough being a reserve goalie, especially when you know how good you are. The epitome of that has been Carlo Cudicini, though with Cech's injuries he has had a chance to shine far more than Taylor. Stuart must know the Villa bench as well as, if not better than any other player!

I think the best think I can say about Stuart Taylor is this: should MON refuse to pay Liverpool the balancing £8m or so for Scott Carson's permanent signature, and if he fails to secure a decent replacement, there are very few Villa fans who would lose a moment's sleep if Taylor were handed the number 1 shirt next season. Now that's saying something.

So, as we blog about the futures of Barry, Agbonlahor and Young, let's just spare a thought for Stuart Taylor.

An excellent goalkeeper, a superb servant of our club, and a consummate professional.

But also, a bloody good bloke.

Comments (21)

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Aravind said:

An excellent goalkeeper, a superb servant of our club, and a consummate professional. But also, a bloody good bloke. Well, that sums up everything!

May 08, 2008 | url

smiavfc said:

Agreed, i also sit m4 lower holte and watch the same thing, great servant.

May 08, 2008

jinksy said:

You said "While Sorensen has grumbled and moaned his way through a season in the reserves, Taylor has kept his head down, stayed positive and done his job superbly when called upon" When has Sorenson ever moaned i think youn are making that comment up. It's just not true that Sorenson has grumbled & moaned.

May 08, 2008

Damian said:

jinksy click this link to see when sorensen has moaned

May 08, 2008

Dylow said:

I've been thinkin the same for ages, every time I've seen Taylor play for us, he looks so solid and comfortable, he was so unlucky last season, I thought "here's your big chance Stuart" and he went and got himself injured! If he hadn't and got a good run in the team, I think he'd be our No.1 right now. Go on MON, make him the No.1, for next season, surely he deserves it.

May 08, 2008

jinksy said:

Damian & Doc i bow down to your greater knowledge. But saying that can you blame him for moaning? If i was him watching Carson i would have bloody moaned.

May 08, 2008

Dizzy Mugs said:

So tough to say he's a quality goalkeeper when he's not playing consistently. A loan deal to a smaller club perhaps? See how he handles playing 40 games a season then we'll know if he's truly a solid keeper or just a very good last resort.

May 08, 2008

Damian said:

the thing is jinksy and i know this is difficult, because it really is just a job to him, but he's paid an awful lot of money to keep quiet and sing from the same sheet of paper as everyone at the club breaking ranks is only going to confirm what martin o'neill probably thought of him

May 08, 2008

jinksy said:

Yes but my information is that he was told to train with the kids & used as an example to anyone who dare cross MON. I can see both sides to this but do feel that he has been treated bad when all he realy wanted was to play.

May 08, 2008

feed the hare said:

is there any news of the new kit every1 else seems to ave already done theres????

May 08, 2008

Astonguerilla said:

I totally agree with you, top No.2 keeper. He threw his shirt at me on the last day of the 2005/2006 season, I remember catching it and having to check the name on the back of the shirt because I couldn't remember who the frig he was! I have since become a big fan of Taylor and have always felt confident when he's between the sticks.

May 08, 2008

Badger said:

Jinksy, my understanding is that at the end of last season, Sorry got injured and was asked to knock back the holiday he was about to go on, so he could get treatment. He refused and went on holiday anyway. Now you might think "and rightly so", but it's hardly showing committment to the club, is it? And it's not as if he couldn't have gone on holiday afterwards, IMO. As said, he gets paid megabucks and should do what the club ask of him. But he never convinced me anyway, too many stupid schoolboy mistakes for my liking. Good riddance, I say.

May 08, 2008

dan o'sullivan said:

Stuart Taylor for England! I think he's better than Carson! I'd love him as Villa's No.1! No-one bothered about Tommy S going either then? Not surprised, he can't even get a game for the reserves! Think we may find him a home at the bescot next season! If he thinks any prem club would be stupid enough to offer him a contract with 1st team football, he's having a giraffe!

May 08, 2008

PaulE said:

Taylor has been nothing short of outstanding in all the league games he's been asked to play. In the two games against Liverpool and part of the match against Man Utd, he made several saves that Carson would have had no chance of saving. His attitude is great and he seems happy to be at the club, even as a reserve. Some of his performances for the reserves have been brilliant too. He makes his fair share of mistakes, just like Carson. But unlike Carson, he also pulls off brilliant saves with those extra longs arms of his. I'm glad you've written this article, Doc, because it needed to be said.

May 08, 2008

kayarcee said:

Maybe we sign Guzan, and use him as our Carling/FA/UEFA cup keeper to get some development and use Stu as the EPL keeper.

May 08, 2008

I HATE BLUES said:

Taylor could have done exactly what Carson has done this season,which isnt a bloody lot.We would still be in the same position no matter what keeper we used.I say give carson back, put Taylor in and keep Sorensen as the reserve.The 8-10m you've saved could be used to mount a seriously high bid for a world class striker for around 18-20 m

May 08, 2008

Peter said:

"let's just spare a thought for Stuart Taylor" You were really scrapping the barrel with this article wasnt you! Blimey he is a premiership footballer earning probably £10K per - I dont really feel that sorry for him.

May 08, 2008

Leroy said:

I remember that s**t match vs Man U, he was one of the only Villa players that could hold his head high that day after saving a penalty and numerous other attempts (after Carson and Reo were red carded). Absolutely spot on, i wouldnt lose sleep if he was the starting keeper. Can i say its actually refreshing to talk about someone else other than GB for once!

May 08, 2008

Bubba said:

All together now: Super, Super Stuart, Super Super Stuart, super Stuart Taylor

May 10, 2008

Bubba said:

England's number 14, England's England's number 14!!!!

May 10, 2008

Bubba said:

hero and stuart taylor - not two phrases that go together often Doctor Boules!!

May 10, 2008

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