Paul McGrath was one of the most accomplished defenders of his era, a majestic centre-half whose reading of the game allowed him to dominate despite chronic knee problems. Composed, powerful and remarkably graceful, he was the rock at the heart of Aston Villa and a hero to the club’s supporters.
A stalwart of the Republic of Ireland side that reached the World Cup, he overcame persistent injury to perform at the highest level for years, and he is revered as one of the finest defenders these islands have produced.