Wolves' Walter Zenga has fond memories of playing at Aston Villa
Walter Zenga returns to Villa Park in an official capacity for the first time in 26 years today – and he remembers his last visit like it was yesterday.
Zenga took part in a game fondly remembered by all Villa fans, when the West Midlands side beat Inter Milan 2-0 in the first leg of a Uefa Cup tie in 1990.
The match remains famous for a 25-yard screamer scored by centre half Kent Nielsen.
But Inter would get their revenge in the return leg, winning 3-0 at the San Siro.
Zenga, who went back to the stadium for the first time earlier this season to watch Villa take on Brentford, has lost his hair since then – and he's hoping for a different result today too.
"I was different then, yes!" he said.
"I watched Villa against Brentford at Villa Park and a steward recognised me.
"That game in 1990 was a great atmosphere because it was the first time I played in the UK in an international competition.
"Before I played at Wembley for the national team, a 0-0 friendly draw before the World Cup.
"Then I played at Villa Park and then at Norwich and both of them were a great experience.
"Coming from Italy...they were stadiums without barriers, fans close to the bench and the pitch, it was absolutely fantastic.
"I remember that my friend David Platt scored at Villa Park and also a goal in the World Cup (the third place play-off in which Italy beat England 2-1)). That's why I played with him in Sampdoria!
"Tony Daley (Wolves' fitness specialist) was a player there too – if you watch on YouTube I made one great save against him. Tony was a great player.
"It was a strange position for (Nielsen) to be! Even now I don't realise why he was there to shoot to score this nice goal! Also the second goal from Platt was good.
"But I prefer to talk about the three goals we scored in the San Siro!"
Is he looking forward to his competitive return to the stadium tomorrow?
"Everything has changed, it's not the same situation," Zenga added.
"It's nice things and nice memories, but the stadium has changed and my position – I don't go on the pitch!
"I enjoy all the time. This is my job and my passion and I'm excited for every game."
