Blood, magic, vision - Why Paul Merson is still remembered by Aston Villa fans
Paul Merson signed for Aston Villa in the Autumn of 1998 for a fee of £6.75m.
He went on to play over a hundred games in the claret and blue colours and became a big hit with the fans.
His attacking flair, eye for goal and spectacular goals struck a chord with the Villa faithful over four seasons.
When Graham Taylor joined the club to replace John Gregory as manager, it signalled the end for Merson.
It was a departure that upset the midfielder: "I absolutely loved it at Villa. It was the best part of my career, no doubt. I adored my football at Villa.
"When I left, I was devastated. It was the only time I ever cried when I left a football club."
These days Merse is strutting his stuff on Strictlly Come Dancing and making a good career as a pundit but we wanted to take a look back at his Villa days with some pictures from the Birmingham Mail archives.
We also decided to share a few of your 'memories of Merse'.
Steve Zacharanda: Him getting knocked out when he chipped the ball through for Benito Carbone to score in the 3-2 FA Cup game in 2000, we had blood pouring from his face and was staggering everywhere.
Ben Ferris: I loved Merse, 1 of only 2 players I ever bothered to get printed on the back of my Jersey back in 1999.
Georgie Budding: Trying to get back on the pitch to play with blood spewing everywhere.
Si Staples: Leeds semi and the blood
Dixie Dean Woodhams: Thought he was passed it when we signed him, but proved me wrong. In every match after he produced at least one piece of skill/vision to make the entrance fee worthwhile
Paul Gray: Goodison game, dour game in torrential rain and then that late bit of Merse magic.
Ross Austwick: Playing a blinder for Walsall pre-season vs Villa, think Walsall won 3-0
Boozey Hughsey: Cracking player, nuff said!
Lee Simpson: Goal against Coventry...3-2 villa
Matthew Alcock: goal away at goodison , prob the worst game ive seen , great goal to snatch the points
Mhicky: no left foot, but could cross a ball with the outside of he's right foot. Pure class.
Waseem Zaffar: Merse could change a game in a second
Forever Villan: Had that spark in his play that could turn a game on its head
Adam Walshe: Goal against Everton in the last minute. 30/40 yards out lobbed the keeper. Few with skill/vision to have done that
Ryan Hooper: best Villa no. 10 since Dwight left. Can't think of many better since Merse left.