Villa Pay Tribute To Former Player Dalian Atkinson

16 August 2016, 15:09 | Updated: 16 August 2016, 17:31

Dalian Atkinson

Fans at Villa Park tonight are going to remember former striker Dalian Atkinson.

He died in Telford yesterday morning after being tasered by police.

Fans will hold a minutes applause for him in the tenth minute match against Huddersfield tonight because he wore the number 10 shirt.

On their website the club said: "Aston Villa is saddened to hear of the death of our former striker Dalian Atkinson.

"Dalian undoubtedly provided real memorable moments during his time in claret and blue.

"And despite having his time at Villa disrupted by injuries, he still averaged a goal every three games.

"Signed from Spanish club Real Sociedad in 1991, he had the satisfaction of scoring on his debut in a 3-2 victory away to one of his former clubs, Sheffield Wednesday, on the opening day of the season.

"That was his only goal during a debut season blighted by injury, but 12 months later he had the satisfaction of scoring Villa’s first goal in the new Premier League, the equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Ipswich.

"He was on target 13 times that season – including one which is widely regarded as Villa’s best goal of the Premier League era. 

"Sprinting from his own half against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park, he shrugged off one challenge after another before hitting a delicate chip over goalkeeper Hans Segers from just outside the penalty area. 

"It was rightly voted BBC’s Goal of the Season.

"Atkinson’s third season at Villa was his most impressive. 

"He played 44 league and cup games and was on target 15 times, including the opening goal in Villa’s 3-1 League Cup final victory over Manchester United.

I"t’s fitting that, when we polled supporters at the start of the season in order to create a collage of great pictures for our walls at Bodymoor Heath, Atkinson came out on top twice.

"Those were him holding up the League Cup trophy on the pitch at Wembley after our 1994 win and being serenaded after his Goal of the Season effort at Wimbledon in 1992."