Paul Merson - Midfielder Date of Birth: March 20, 1968 Birthplace: Harlesden Nationality: English Height: 1.83m / 6' Previous Clubs: Middlesbrough, Arsenal, Brentford Joined Villa: September 9, 1998 Acquisition Price: £6,75 million Debut: September 12, 1998 (Wimbledon (h)) Left Villa (for): August 6, 2002 (Portsmouth) Transfer fee: Free transfer

Paul Merson is famous for a lot of reasons. Firstly, because he's a brilliant player. He was a regular at Arsenal for many seasons, and likewise at Middlesbrough. He has also played in the England shirt many times. He also became famous when he admitted his addiction to drugs, alcohol and gambling a few years ago. That is the past, though, this is now. Merson signed for Middlesbrough in 1997, and played no less than 48 matches. Boro paid 4,5 million for him to move from Arsenal. During his Gunners career, he played no less than 238 matches and scored 38 goals. He was on loan to brentford for a brief period, gaining 6 apps and one goal.

Right after signing Aston Villa, he fired a broadside at Boro, quite a common thing to do at your former club if you haven't been uncomfortable there these days. "I wanted to get on with things as soon as I came back from Sweden with England and was keen to hold a meeting then in private away from the club. That couldn't happen so it was agreed for Monday but then Robson rang my agent to say it was called off so I didn't go into the club and stayed at home with the family for the day. Then I hear that I've walked out on the club and not turned up for training which is a load of rubbish. I was then supposed to be going to Middlesbrough at 9.15 this morning (Tuesday) just to try and tidy things up but got a call saying `don't bother' and now I am at Villa for a medical. ``I am delighted to be joining them and I had a call from my agent late last night to say things had basically been done and dusted. It's nice it's happened so quickly." Whatever the truth is, it's hardly questionable that Merson wanted out. His joining at Villa was undoubtedly inspired by Yorke's move to Man Utd, Merson being an offensive midfielder.

Merson's career was quite simply restarted at Aston Villa. Ever since he joined up, his contribution to the midfield has been invaluable every single match, and his many assists have made him arguably the most popular player at Villa Park today. Merson himself has said on more than one occasion that his career has reached its peak at Aston Villa and not Arsenal. Merson has already secured himself an honorary place in the Aston Villa Hall of Fame.

The 2001/02 season saw Merson get promoted to captain after Gareth Southgate left for Middlesbrough. Who else, said everybody at Villa Park.

The only reason Paul Merson was let go in August 2002 was his age of 34. Fans at Villa Park will always remember his four season spell at Villa Park, where he showed his worth from day one.