‘I should have behaved a little better sometimes’ – Paul McGrath, the man Aston Villa fans call 'God'

It is a miracle the Irish legend lived to tell the tale of a career intertwined with the crippling effects of his demons

Aston Villa defender Paul McGrath chases down Ruel Fox of Newcastle United with Ireland team-mate Andy Townsend (far right) close by during a Premier League clash in 1994. Photo: Clive Brunskill/allsport

Matt LawTelegraph Media Group Limited

It had taken the best part of a decade to get there, but, finally, I found myself sitting next to the man whom, for more than 30 years of my life, I have referred to as ‘God’.