Aston Villa wanted to sign me but I couldn't fulfill an irreconcilable condition
Troy Deeney has admitted he could have played for arch-rivals Aston Villa – but only if he could bring a piece of Birmingham City with him.
The former Blues striker He is a die-hard fan of his former club but told talkSPORT he could have represented both sides in the Second City derby.
Deeney stated in White & Jordan that The rivalry between the West Midland teams is greater than that between Arsenal and Tottenham..
However, in the same appearance, he revealed that he could have played for both teams, despite He once admitted that he tried to fight with Villa players following a 2-1 defeat when at Watford in January 2020.
Having been born in Birmingham, Deeney grew up just six miles from St Andrew's and even He has the club's shield tattooed on his leg.
He later played for the Blues from 2021 to 2023, but years earlier, Villa had come calling, and his body ink proved to be a sticking point.
When asked by Jim White if he would have ever pulled on a Villa shirt, the 35-year-old revealed: “I've had the chance to, yes.
“My friends let me know that it wouldn't be a good idea and, secondly, they wanted me to take off the Birmingham City tattoo too.”
He continued: “The club (Aston Villa wanted me to do it), that was part of the conversation.
“But they've done bigger and better things and so have I.”
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Deeney is best remembered for his time with WatfordEditHe spent 12 seasons with them, six of which were in the Premier League.
In 2013, after scoring more than 20 goals for the Hornets in the Championship, Villa made his interest known.
The striker joked that it would have been difficult to see his family crazy about Birmingham if he had moved, but the thought of removing or covering his tattoo made that impossible.
Deeney added: “No, I wouldn't have removed it, that's why it didn't get too far.
“My best friend is a Birmingham City fan, my whole family is Birmingham City, except my brother who strangely decided to go against the grain.
“It would have been a difficult place to live and see family if I had played for Aston Villa for a few months.
“I'm sure they would have gotten over it later.”
We're not sure they had Troy…
