Former Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis revealed how close the club came to procuring Brazil left-back Roberto Carlos after watching the talented defender playing in an international friendly against Sweden at Villa Park in 1995. I was so impressed with Roberto Carlos that I sounded out the Brazilian president about them and he expressed the view that Carlos could be available. (Carlos) said he was impressed with the club and the facilities, and would be interested in joining us at a rate that was no higher than our highest-paid players of that time. Unfortunately, (manager) Brian Little was less enthusiastic than myself and thus we did not pursue the deal. Instead, Carlos went on to join Inter Milan for a season, before signing for Real Madrid where he made over 500 appearances and scored more than 60 goals, while winning four league titles, three Champions Leagues, and a further six trophies with Real. Thank God Brian Little dodged that bullet...