Dean Saunders was simultaneously hailed as a legend and blasted for losing the plot on Tuesday morning after he told talkSPORT: ‘Aston Villa are a bigger club than Chelsea’.
The former Villans striker made the bold claim on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, insisting that if you look back through football’s history books, it’s clear to see Villa are bigger than the Blues.
getty
3
Aston Villa players celebrate winning promotion back to the Premier League with victory in the Championship play-off final
The Midlands club will be back in the Premier League next season, having ended their three-year stay in the Championship by beating Derby County in the play-off final last month.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have just been crowned Europa League champions for the second time after beating Arsenal 4-1 in the final in Baku.
Yet, Saunders has sensationally claimed Villa are a bigger club.
Well, it may seem like a sensational statement now, but Aston Villa are the fifth most successful club in English football, with Chelsea sitting fourth having won just four more major trophies in their history.
Both clubs have won the European Cup once, but Villa have actually won more top flight titles.
Chelsea also only won eight of their 24 major honours before Roman Abramovich’s takeover in 2003.
3
Major honours counted as season-long competitions (Charity/Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup not included), and no one-off competitions tallied towards total. European trophies include: European Cup/Champions League, Cup Winners’ Cup, UEFA Cup/Europa League and Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. Only top flight league titles are counted as major honours.
But this was lost on a host of supporters as Saunders’ comments sparked outrage on social media… although a number of Villa fans obviously agreed with his view.
The Welshman told talkSPORT: “The owner of Chelsea has got more money than Villa, so he has made Chelsea into a big club.
“But actually, traditionally, Aston Villa are a bigger club than Chelsea if you go back over the years.
“If Roman Abramovich had gone to Villa, they’d be in the same position as Chelsea. He’s piled a load of money in and bought the best players.
“What would happen in Abramovich left?
GETTY
3
Chelsea added another Europa League to their impressive trophy collection since Abramovich’s takeover
“I’m not just winding up the Chelsea fans and I’m not just saying it because I played for them [Villa].
“If you go back over history Aston Villa are a bigger club than Chelsea. They’re a massive club, they’ve won everything.”
He then asked Alan Brazil: “Al, when you played for Ipswich, who were a bigger club, Chelsea or Villa?”
And the Sports Breakfast host replied: “That’s a good point Deano.
“Chelsea were struggling, they weren’t in the top flight, and Villa won the European Cup and the old First Division title in 1981.”
You can watch the full clip of Saunders and Brazil discussing Aston Villa and Chelsea above
~ Tottenham vs Ajax: Glenn Hoddle admits he can't believe Spurs are in a Champions League semi-final ~ Kenya Latest
Glenn Hoddle admits he can't believe Spurs are in a Champions
fussboll.com/2019/04/30/glenn-hoddle-admits-he-cant-believe-spurs-are-in-a-champions-league-semi-final/
Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle admits he can't quite believe that Spurs have reached the last four of the Champions League.
Tottenham vs Ajax: Glenn Hoddle admits he can't believe Spurs
gistjunction.com/2019/04/30/tottenham-vs-ajax-glenn-hoddle-admits-he-cant-believe-spurs-are-in-a-champions-league-semi-final/
Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle admits he can't quite believe that Spurs have reached the last four of the Champions League. The north Londoners welcome Ajax to their new stadium on Wednesday night for the first leg of their semi-final clash.
Ajax vs Tottenham: Glenn Hoddle reveals delight after
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says the club have been vindicated in their decision to move into their new stadium this season after they enjoyed a historic homecoming. Spurs finally got to
It´s starting to feel like home: Pochettino hails win
Mike Dean (referee) Celebrates Tranmere Rovers getting Promoted (League 2 Play Off Final) ANTHEM AND JEER THE ENGLISH ANTHEM AT LEAGUE 2 PLAY OFF FINAL as Liverpool reach the Champions
Mike Dean at Tranmere game video - caughtoffside.com
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he is confident he's the right man to take the club forward ahead of Manchester City's Premier League visit to Old Trafford on Wednesday. United
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is one defeat away from Manchester
Watford pair Troy Deeney and Christian Kabasele have both lifted the lid on the racist abuse they have suffered in the wake of the Hornets' FA Cup semi final win over Wolves on Sunday.
Watford star Troy Deeney suffers racial abuse after FA Cup
Macclesfield boss Sol Campbell has urged the club to spend their budget wisely following their narrow escape from being relegated out of the Football League. Campbell's men beat Notts County … Sol Campbell: Macclesfield Town boss urges club to spend their budget in the 'correct way' following League Two survival
Spanish women's league sets attendance record for club game
The shocking stats behind Manchester Unitedâ s slump: â Theyâ re MILES behind Man City and Liverpoolâ , says Ally McCoist (talkSPORT) Liverpool vs. Huddersfield.
Why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has changed Manchester United's
Gordon Strachan facing talkSPORT axe over controversial Adam Johnson comments. JOHN CROSS COLUMN: Strachan was dumped by Sky Sports over his comments on The Debate show
Gordon Strachan apologises over controversial Adam Johnson
News list for colin hendry says hoops can t fully achieve 10 titles in a row as rangers were absent / Colin Hendry says if Celtic were to win 10 Scottish Premiership titles in a row it would be devalued because of Rangers ' absence.
Former Rangers star Colin Hendry doesn't think Celtic can
Chelsea news: Maurizio Sarri to Juventus 'done' as manager reportedly reaches agreement after Pep Guardiola snubbed Serie A champions Maurizio Sarri has reportedly reached an agreement to leave Chelsea and manage Juventus next season. It's claimed that the Italian boss, who has been at talkSPORT 10 hours ago
A highlight reel goal from Jeff Schlupp and a late strike from Wilfried Zaha led Crystal Palace to an easy win over Fulham. #premierleague #fulham #crystalpa
April Fools' Day at Soccerlens | Sportslens
"I'd be concerned for Ken Anderson, if he's allowed this to happen, rather than take the easier admin route. He can still do a deal for the well-being of Bolton through a CVA where they are protected. He hasn't taken that path and put Bolton into a situation where they could be liquidated this is the worst kind of ownership that you can ever
Aberdeen star Shay Logan dresses up as Celtic captain Scott
No comments:
Post a Comment