Player #841 for Aston Villa, Robert David Keane known as Robbie Keane played as a forward for the club in Villa’s 2011-12 Premier League campaign, making 7 appearances and scoring 3 goals.

Keane was born in Tallaght, Ireland on 8 July 1980.

Alex McLeish had signed Keane from LA Galaxy on a month long loan deal on 8 January 2012 and he proved to be another astute signing by the much maligned McLeish. The fact that Villa signed Keane only 12 years too late wasn’t McLeish’s problem but even in his twilight years still his class placed him a cut above his team-mates as his catalytic effect on the team’s performances immediately paid dividends.

How Villa had failed to sign Keane in 1999 remains a mystery as each party points the finger at another, whoever’s fault it was there is no doubt that Villa with Keane in his pomp would have been quite a spectacle to behold.

McLeish handed Keane his first start as an 81’ substitute for Stephen Warnock in Villa’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Everton on Saturday, 14 January 2012.

Keane made his first start in the following match and would start six consecutive matches before his return to LA Galaxy. On his first start for Villa, Keane hit a brace in the 3-2 win at his old club Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, 21 January 2012, but a faltering Villa side meant his next goal, and last of his loan spell, came in a 1-2 defeat at Newcastle United on Sunday, 5 February 2012.

Keane made his final appearance for Villa in the 0-0 draw at Wigan Athletic on Saturday, 25 February 2012 aged 31 before returning to LA Galaxy in March 2012.

Keane had played under Alex McLeish.