Martin Keown is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in Arsenal history but there was a time when he turned down a chance to stay with the Gunners to join Aston Villa.
In 1986, Aston Villa had just finished 16th in the old First Division while Liverpool clinched the league title, pipping Merseyside rivals Everton to the post.
Graham Turner was the manager of Villa during that period and in the transfer window of 1986, he splashed the cash on several new players.
Centre-forward Gary Thompson arrived from Sheffield Wednesday, midfielder Warren Aspinall was captured from Everton and 19-year-old Martin Keown moved from Arsenal to Aston Villa for £125,000.
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Why Martin Keown left Arsenal for Aston Villa in 1986
Keown graduated through the Gunners academy as a youngster and in the 1985/86 campaign, the Englishman played alongside the promising Tony Adams, making 22 appearances in the top flight.
But when George Graham was appointed manager of Arsenal in 1986, he wasn’t a part of his plans, with Graham offering the young defender less than he wanted.
Speaking on That Peter Crouch podcast, the former defender explained how moving to Villa Park was financially motivated, as they offered him double what he was getting in North London.
“I went to Villa, and immediately I got there. Well, I mean, as soon as I made the decision, it was based on a financial decision. Arsenal were really offering me a £50 pound a week rise.
“Suddenly Aston Villa are doubling my wages. A thousand pound signed on fee for Arsenal, £25,000 to go to Villa. Doug Ellis is the perfect stranger.
“Suddenly my friend telling me all the things I wanted to hear at Arsenal, and I make a decision based on emotion, not really what I wanted to do.”
Keown then admitted that he felt joining the club was a mistake as several of his new teammates wanted to jump ship.
“I arrived there at the training ground, first day, Paul Elliott puts the hand out. Remember Paul Elliott, big center half,” Keown added.
“What on earth are you doing here? What did you sign for us for? And I’m like, well, what an introduction that is.
“I got Steve Hodge saying he wants to leave the club. He’d been successful in that summer playing for England in 86. Everybody there seemed to want to leave.”
Aston Villa were relegated in the 1986/87 campaign
Villa regressed so much during the 1986/87 campaign and were relegated from the First Division, finishing bottom of the table.
| Position | Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
| 17th | Newcastle United | 42 | 12 | 11 | 19 | 47 | 65 | -18 | 47 | – |
| 18th | Oxford United | 42 | 11 | 13 | 18 | 44 | 69 | -25 | 46 | – |
| 19th | Charlton Athletic | 42 | 11 | 11 | 20 | 45 | 55 | -10 | 44 | ♦PO Winners |
| 20th | Leicester City | 42 | 11 | 9 | 22 | 54 | 76 | -22 | 42 | ▼Relegated |
| 21st | Manchester City | 42 | 8 | 15 | 19 | 36 | 57 | -21 | 39 | ▼Relegated |
| 22nd | Aston Villa | 42 | 8 | 12 | 22 | 45 | 79 | -34 | 36 | ▼Relegated |
Keown, who was only 20-years-old at the time, was unable to prevent their slide into the second division of English football, despite playing 36 times.
It was a different story the following season, though, as Keown formed a solid defensive partnership, initially with Steve Sims and later with Allan Evans.
Villa bounced back to the top flight at the first attempt under the management of Graham Taylor and the Arsenal legend went on to make over a century of appearances for the Villans before joining Everton for £750,000 in 1989.
