Paul Merson

Date of birth20 March 1968
Place of birthHarlesden
NationalityEnglish
Weight83 kg
Height1.80 m
PositionMidfielder

Whilst battling against well documented personal problems, Paul was still recognised as one of the most skilful players of his generation.

With Arsenal, 1st Division Champion 1989, 1991, FA Cup winner 1993, League Cup winner 1993 ECW Cup winner 1994 and runner-up 1995.

At Aston Villa, Paul was recognised as the most exciting player at the club and in the Premiership. Skillful, good with the ball and quicker in the mind then many of his team mates, Paul was a revelation for Villa. Won the title with Arsenal and was a regular England international. Signed by Villa for £6,750,000 from Middlesbrough, he has had some well documented drink problems but has shown great character in admitting this and trying to beat it.

'Merse' returned to the Midlands when he joined Walsall on a two-year contract in July 2003.

Club history

Team Joined Left Loan / Trialist
Arsenal 01 Dec 1985 15 Jul 1997
Brentford 22 Jan 1987 04 Mar 1987 L
Middlesbrough 15 Jul 1997 10 Sep 1998
Aston Villa 10 Sep 1998 06 Aug 2002
Portsmouth 06 Aug 2002 17 Jul 2003
Walsall 17 Jul 2003 06 Feb 2006
Tamworth 22 Feb 2006 09 Mar 2006

Club stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Goals Y R
1986-87 Arsenal League Division One 5
2
3
1987-88 Arsenal FA Cup 1
1987-88 Arsenal League Cup
1
1987-88 Arsenal League Division One 7
8
5
1988-89 Arsenal FA Cup 2
2
1988-89 Arsenal League Cup 4
2
1988-89 Arsenal League Division One 29
8
10
1989-90 Arsenal FA Charity Shield 1
1989-90 Arsenal FA Cup 1
2
1989-90 Arsenal League Cup 2
1
1989-90 Arsenal League Division One 21
8
7
1990-91 Arsenal FA Cup 8
1
1990-91 Arsenal League Division One 36
1
13
1990-91 Arsenal Rumbelows League Cup 4
2
1991-92 Arsenal European Cup 4
1991-92 Arsenal FA Cup 1
1991-92 Arsenal League Cup 3
1
1991-92 Arsenal League Division One 41
1
12
1992-93 Arsenal FA Cup 8
1
1992-93 Arsenal League Cup 9
1
1992-93 Arsenal Premier League 32
1
6
2
1993-94 Arsenal FA Charity Shield 1
1993-94 Arsenal FA Cup 2
1
1993-94 Arsenal League Cup 4
2
1993-94 Arsenal Premier League 24
9
7
1
1993-94 Arsenal UEFA European Cup Winners Cup 7
3
1994-95 Arsenal League Cup 2
1
1994-95 Arsenal Premier League 24
4
3
1994-95 Arsenal UEFA European Cup Winners Cup 8
2
1994-95 Arsenal UEFA Super Cup 1
1
1995-96 Arsenal FA Cup 2
1995-96 Arsenal League Cup 7
1995-96 Arsenal Premier League 38
5
2
1996-97 Arsenal FA Cup 3
1
1996-97 Arsenal League Cup 3
1
1996-97 Arsenal Premier League 32
6
1
1996-97 Arsenal UEFA Cup 2
2
1997-98 Middlesbrough FA Cup 1
1
1997-98 Middlesbrough League Cup 5
2
1998-99 Aston Villa FA Cup 1
1998-99 Aston Villa Premier League 21
5
5
2
1998-99 Middlesbrough Premier League 3
1999-00 Aston Villa FA Cup 6
1999-00 Aston Villa League Cup 4
2
1999-00 Aston Villa Premier League 24
8
5
2
2000-01 Aston Villa FA Cup 3
2000-01 Aston Villa League Cup 1
2000-01 Aston Villa Premier League 38
6
2
2000-01 Aston Villa UEFA Intertoto Cup 3
1
1
2001-02 Aston Villa FA Cup 1
2001-02 Aston Villa Premier League 18
3
2
2001-02 Aston Villa UEFA Intertoto Cup 5
1
2002-03 Aston Villa UEFA Intertoto Cup
1
2002-03 Portsmouth FA Cup 1
2002-03 Portsmouth League Cup 2
2002-03 Portsmouth League Division 1 44
1
12
4
2003-04 Walsall League Cup 2
2
2003-04 Walsall League Division 1 31
3
4
2004-05 Walsall FA Cup 1
2004-05 Walsall LDV Vans Trophy 2
2004-05 Walsall League Cup 1
2004-05 Walsall League One 31
5
2
3
2005-06 Walsall League Cup 1
2005-06 Walsall League One 6
1


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

Club matches

Date Match Result Competition Round
12 Sep 1998 Aston Villa v Wimbledon W 2-0 Premier League
19 Sep 1998 Leeds United v Aston Villa D 0-0 Premier League
26 Sep 1998 Aston Villa v Derby County W 1-0 Premier League
03 Oct 1998 Coventry City v Aston Villa W 1-2 Premier League
17 Oct 1998 West Ham United v Aston Villa D 0-0 Premier League
24 Oct 1998 Aston Villa v Leicester City D 1-1 Premier League
07 Nov 1998 Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur W 3-2 Premier League
14 Nov 1998 Southampton v Aston Villa W 1-4 Premier League
21 Nov 1998 Aston Villa v Liverpool L 2-4 Premier League
28 Nov 1998 Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa D 2-2 Premier League
18 Jan 1999 Aston Villa v Everton W 3-0 Premier League
23 Jan 1999 Aston Villa v Fulham L 0-2 FA Cup 4th round
30 Jan 1999 Newcastle United v Aston Villa L 2-1 Premier League
06 Feb 1999 Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers L 1-3 Premier League
17 Feb 1999 Aston Villa v Leeds United L 1-2 Premier League
21 Feb 1999 Wimbledon v Aston Villa D 0-0 Premier League
27 Feb 1999 Aston Villa v Coventry City L 1-4 Premier League
10 Mar 1999 Derby County v Aston Villa L 2-1 Premier League
13 Mar 1999 Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa L 1-0 Premier League
21 Mar 1999 Aston Villa v Chelsea L 0-3 Premier League
02 Apr 1999 Aston Villa v West Ham United D 0-0 Premier League
10 Apr 1999 Aston Villa v Southampton W 3-0 Premier League
17 Apr 1999 Liverpool v Aston Villa W 0-1 Premier League
24 Apr 1999 Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest W 2-0 Premier League
01 May 1999 Manchester United v Aston Villa L 2-1 Premier League
08 May 1999 Aston Villa v Charlton Athletic L 3-4 Premier League
16 May 1999 Arsenal v Aston Villa L 1-0 Premier League
11 Aug 1999 Aston Villa v Everton W 3-0 Premier League
21 Aug 1999 Chelsea v Aston Villa L 1-0 Premier League
24 Aug 1999 Watford v Aston Villa W 0-1 Premier League
28 Aug 1999 Aston Villa v Middlesbrough W 1-0 Premier League
11 Sep 1999 Arsenal v Aston Villa L 3-1 Premier League
14 Sep 1999 Chester City v Aston Villa W 0-1 League Cup 2nd round 1st leg
18 Sep 1999 Aston Villa v Bradford City W 1-0 Premier League
21 Sep 1999 Aston Villa v Chester City W 5-0
Agg: 6-0
League Cup 2nd round 2nd leg
02 Oct 1999 Aston Villa v Liverpool D 0-0 Premier League
18 Oct 1999 Sunderland v Aston Villa L 2-1 Premier League
23 Oct 1999 Aston Villa v Wimbledon D 1-1 Premier League
30 Oct 1999 Manchester United v Aston Villa L 3-0 Premier League
06 Nov 1999 Aston Villa v Southampton L 0-1 Premier League
01 Dec 1999 Aston Villa v Southampton W 4-0 League Cup 4th round
04 Dec 1999 Aston Villa v Newcastle United L 0-1 Premier League
11 Dec 1999 Aston Villa v Darlington W 2-1 FA Cup 3rd round
18 Dec 1999 Aston Villa v Sheffield Wednesday W 2-1 Premier League
26 Dec 1999 Derby County v Aston Villa W 0-2 Premier League
29 Dec 1999 Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur D 1-1 Premier League
03 Jan 2000 Leeds United v Aston Villa W 1-2 Premier League
08 Jan 2000 Aston Villa v Southampton W 1-0 FA Cup 4th round
11 Jan 2000 West Ham United v Aston Villa W 1-3 League Cup Quarter-final
15 Jan 2000 West Ham United v Aston Villa D 1-1 Premier League
22 Jan 2000 Aston Villa v Chelsea D 0-0 Premier League
25 Jan 2000 Aston Villa v Leicester City D 0-0 League Cup Semi-final 1st leg
30 Jan 2000 Aston Villa v Leeds United W 3-2 FA Cup 5th round
02 Feb 2000 Leicester City v Aston Villa L 1-0
Agg: 1-0
League Cup Semi-final 2nd leg
05 Feb 2000 Aston Villa v Watford W 4-0 Premier League
14 Feb 2000 Middlesbrough v Aston Villa W 0-4 Premier League
20 Feb 2000 Everton v Aston Villa W 1-2 FA Cup Quarter-final
26 Feb 2000 Bradford City v Aston Villa D 1-1 Premier League
05 Mar 2000 Aston Villa v Arsenal D 1-1 Premier League
11 Mar 2000 Aston Villa v Coventry City W 1-0 Premier League
15 Mar 2000 Liverpool v Aston Villa D 0-0 Premier League
18 Mar 2000 Southampton v Aston Villa L 2-0 Premier League
25 Mar 2000 Aston Villa v Derby County W 2-0 Premier League
02 Apr 2000 Bolton Wanderers v Aston Villa W 0-0 (4-1) FA Cup Semi-final
09 Apr 2000 Aston Villa v Leeds United W 1-0 Premier League
15 Apr 2000 Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa W 2-4 Premier League
22 Apr 2000 Aston Villa v Leicester City D 2-2 Premier League
29 Apr 2000 Aston Villa v Sunderland D 1-1 Premier League
06 May 2000 Wimbledon v Aston Villa D 2-2 Premier League
14 May 2000 Aston Villa v Manchester United L 0-1 Premier League
20 May 2000 Aston Villa v Chelsea L 0-1 FA Cup Final
16 Jul 2000 Dukla Pribram v Aston Villa D 0-0 Intertoto Cup 3rd round 1st leg
22 Jul 2000 Aston Villa v Dukla Pribram W 3-1
Agg: 3-1
Intertoto Cup 3rd round 2nd leg
02 Aug 2000 Aston Villa v Celta Vigo L 1-2
Agg: 1-3
Intertoto Cup Semi-final 2nd leg
19 Aug 2000 Leicester City v Aston Villa D 0-0 Premier League
27 Aug 2000 Aston Villa v Chelsea D 1-1 Premier League
06 Sep 2000 Liverpool v Aston Villa L 3-1 Premier League
09 Sep 2000 Ipswich Town v Aston Villa W 1-2 Premier League
16 Sep 2000 Aston Villa v Bradford City W 2-0 Premier League
23 Sep 2000 Middlesbrough v Aston Villa D 1-1 Premier League
30 Sep 2000 Aston Villa v Derby County W 4-1 Premier League
14 Oct 2000 Arsenal v Aston Villa L 1-0 Premier League
22 Oct 2000 Aston Villa v Sunderland D 0-0 Premier League
28 Oct 2000 Aston Villa v Charlton Athletic W 2-1 Premier League
01 Nov 2000 Aston Villa v Manchester City L 0-1 League Cup 3rd round
05 Nov 2000 Everton v Aston Villa W 0-1 Premier League
11 Nov 2000 Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur W 2-0 Premier League
18 Nov 2000 Southampton v Aston Villa L 2-0 Premier League
25 Nov 2000 Coventry City v Aston Villa D 1-1 Premier League
02 Dec 2000 Aston Villa v Newcastle United D 1-1 Premier League
09 Dec 2000 West Ham United v Aston Villa D 1-1 Premier League
16 Dec 2000 Aston Villa v Manchester City D 2-2 Premier League
23 Dec 2000 Leeds United v Aston Villa W 1-2 Premier League
26 Dec 2000 Aston Villa v Manchester United L 0-1 Premier League
01 Jan 2001 Chelsea v Aston Villa L 1-0 Premier League
07 Jan 2001 Newcastle United v Aston Villa D 1-1 FA Cup 3rd round
13 Jan 2001 Aston Villa v Liverpool L 0-3 Premier League
17 Jan 2001 Aston Villa v Newcastle United W 1-0 FA Cup 3rd round replay
20 Jan 2001 Manchester United v Aston Villa L 2-0 Premier League
24 Jan 2001 Aston Villa v Leeds United L 1-2 Premier League
27 Jan 2001 Aston Villa v Leicester City L 1-2 FA Cup 4th round
03 Feb 2001 Bradford City v Aston Villa W 0-3 Premier League
10 Feb 2001 Aston Villa v Middlesbrough D 1-1 Premier League
24 Feb 2001 Derby County v Aston Villa L 1-0 Premier League
05 Mar 2001 Sunderland v Aston Villa D 1-1 Premier League
10 Mar 2001 Aston Villa v Ipswich Town W 2-1 Premier League
18 Mar 2001 Aston Villa v Arsenal D 0-0 Premier League
31 Mar 2001 Manchester City v Aston Villa W 1-3 Premier League
04 Apr 2001 Aston Villa v Leicester City W 2-1 Premier League
07 Apr 2001 Aston Villa v West Ham United D 2-2 Premier League
14 Apr 2001 Aston Villa v Everton W 2-1 Premier League
17 Apr 2001 Charlton Athletic v Aston Villa D 3-3 Premier League
21 Apr 2001 Aston Villa v Southampton D 0-0 Premier League
28 Apr 2001 Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa D 0-0 Premier League
05 May 2001 Aston Villa v Coventry City W 3-2 Premier League
19 May 2001 Newcastle United v Aston Villa L 3-0 Premier League
14 Jul 2001 NK Slaven Koprivnica v Aston Villa L 2-1 Intertoto Cup 3rd round 1st leg
21 Jul 2001 Aston Villa v NK Slaven Koprivnica W 2-0
Agg: 3-2
Intertoto Cup 3rd round 2nd leg
25 Jul 2001 Rennes v Aston Villa L 2-1 Intertoto Cup Semi-final 1st leg
01 Aug 2001 Aston Villa v Rennes W 1-0
Agg: 2-2
Intertoto Cup Semi-final 2nd leg
07 Aug 2001 FC Basel v Aston Villa D 1-1 Intertoto Cup Final 1st leg
18 Aug 2001 Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa D 0-0 Premier League
26 Aug 2001 Aston Villa v Manchester United D 1-1 Premier League
08 Sep 2001 Liverpool v Aston Villa W 1-3 Premier League
16 Sep 2001 Aston Villa v Sunderland D 0-0 Premier League
27 Oct 2001 Aston Villa v Bolton Wanderers W 3-2 Premier League
25 Nov 2001 Leeds United v Aston Villa D 1-1 Premier League
01 Dec 2001 Aston Villa v Leicester City L 0-2 Premier League
05 Dec 2001 West Ham United v Aston Villa D 1-1 Premier League
09 Dec 2001 Arsenal v Aston Villa L 3-2 Premier League
17 Dec 2001 Aston Villa v Ipswich Town W 2-1 Premier League
22 Dec 2001 Derby County v Aston Villa L 3-1 Premier League
26 Dec 2001 Aston Villa v Liverpool L 1-2 Premier League
29 Dec 2001 Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur D 1-1 Premier League
06 Jan 2002 Aston Villa v Manchester United L 2-3 FA Cup 3rd round
12 Jan 2002 Aston Villa v Derby County W 2-1 Premier League
21 Jan 2002 Charlton Athletic v Aston Villa W 1-2 Premier League
30 Jan 2002 Aston Villa v Everton D 0-0 Premier League
02 Feb 2002 Fulham v Aston Villa D 0-0 Premier League
09 Feb 2002 Aston Villa v Chelsea D 1-1 Premier League
02 Mar 2002 Aston Villa v West Ham United W 2-1 Premier League
05 Mar 2002 Blackburn Rovers v Aston Villa L 3-0 Premier League
17 Mar 2002 Aston Villa v Arsenal L 1-2 Premier League
27 Jul 2002 Aston Villa v FC Zürich W 3-0
Agg: 3-2
Intertoto Cup 3rd round 2nd leg


Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

International stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Goals Y R
1986-87 England Under-19 Youth Tournament 1
1
1988-89 England UEFA Under-21
1
1988-89 England Under-21 2
1989-90 England UEFA Under-21 1
1991-92 England B International 1
1
1991-92 England International Friendly 2
3
1
1991-92 England OT v B 1
1
1991-92 England UEFA European Championship 1
1
1992-93 England FIFA World Cup
2
1992-93 England International Friendly
1
1992-93 England US Cup 1
1
1993-94 England B International 1
1
1993-94 England FIFA World Cup 1
1993-94 England International Friendly 1
1996-97 England FIFA World Cup
1
1997-98 England B International 1
1997-98 England FIFA World Cup
1
1997-98 England International Friendly 1
1
1
1997-98 England King Hassan II Cup 1
1998-99 England International Friendly 1
1
1998-99 England UEFA European Championship
1


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

International matches

Date Match Result Competition Round
02 Jun 1987 Brazil v England L 2-0 U19 YOUTH TOUR
10 Jun 1987 Uruguay v England D 2-2 U19 YOUTH TOUR
13 Sep 1988 England v Denmark D 0-0 Under-21
07 Feb 1989 Greece v England L 1-0 Under-21
02 Jun 1989 England v Poland W 2-1 UEFA Under-21 Group 2
10 Oct 1989 Poland v England W 1-3 UEFA Under-21 Group 2
11 Sep 1991 England v Germany L 0-1 International Friendly
18 Dec 1991 Spain v England W 0-1 OT v B
18 Feb 1992 England v France W 3-0 B INTER
25 Mar 1992 Czechoslovakia v England D 2-2 International Friendly
12 May 1992 Hungary v England W 0-1 International Friendly
17 May 1992 England v Brazil D 1-1 International Friendly
03 Jun 1992 Finland v England W 1-2 International Friendly
11 Jun 1992 Denmark v England D 0-0 UEFA European Championship Finals group 1
17 Jun 1992 Sweden v England L 2-1 UEFA European Championship Finals group 1
09 Sep 1992 Spain v England L 1-0 International Friendly
14 Oct 1992 England v Norway D 1-1 FIFA World Cup Group 2
28 Apr 1993 England v Netherlands D 2-2 FIFA World Cup Group 2
13 Jun 1993 England v Brazil D 1-1 US Cup
19 Jun 1993 England v Germany L 1-2 US Cup
13 Oct 1993 Netherlands v England L 2-0 FIFA World Cup Group 2
10 May 1994 England v Northern Ireland W 4-2 B International
17 May 1994 England v Greece W 5-0 International Friendly
12 Feb 1997 England v Italy L 0-1 FIFA World Cup Group 2
10 Feb 1998 England v Chile L 1-2 B International
25 Mar 1998 Switzerland v England D 1-1 International Friendly
22 Apr 1998 England v Portugal W 3-0 International Friendly
29 May 1998 Belgium v England L 0-0 (3-4) King Hassan II Cup
30 Jun 1998 Argentina v England L 2-2 (3-4) FIFA World Cup Finals 2nd round
05 Sep 1998 Sweden v England L 2-1 UEFA European Championship Group 5
18 Nov 1998 England v Czech Republic W 2-0 International Friendly


Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.