10 Players You Didn't Know Aston Villa Almost Signed

By Crip Cooke /

8. Tim Cahill

Former Villa manager Graham Taylor revealed how he came close to procuring the signature of then-Millwall midfielder Tim Cahill during his time with the Midlands outfit. €œWhen I was at Villa I tried to sign Cahill at Millwall but he did his cruciate ligaments and that was the end of that,€ he said. Cahill€™s failed move proved to be a real kick in the teeth for Aston Villa, as not only did the Australian international become his country€™s all-time highest scorer, and bag more than 60 goals following his move to Everton, but also he scored a total of seven goals against Aston Villa in their Premier League meetings. Considering he joined Everton for just £2M a decade ago, and was a terrific servant making more than 270 appearances over eight years, Aston Villa could feel mightily unlucky that the Australian's injury prevented them signing him long before the Toffees swooped in.