Player #809 for Aston Villa, Nicholas Robert Shorey known as Nicky Shorey played as a left back for the club in 2008-09 and 2009-10 making 39 appearances.

Shorey was born in Romford, London on 19 February 1981 and was signed by Martin O’Neill from Reading for £3,960,000 in August 2008.

Shorey had looked a decent player at Reading, arriving at Villa there were hopes he could have a similar impact to previous celebrated Villa full backs whose attacking prowess matched their defensive work however Shorey looked anything but that player at Villa.

Like a number of other Martin O’Neill signings Shorey’s arrival followed a similar pattern - a high relative fee, initial game time then a loss of faith and a transfer out and significant loss - In Shorey’s case £2m after just 39 appearances and 12 months.

Before that however Shorey had made his debut appearance for Villa on Thursday, 14 August 2008 and had played his final game for Villa just over a year later on Wednesday, 23 September 2009.

Shorey moved on to neighbours West Bromwich Albion for £1,620,000 in August 2010.