I've always wondered that. Going on the history of Villa defenders, tradionally our strong point, we have had the likes of McGrath, Southgate, and going back even further Allan Evans, Ken Mcnaught, you have to wonder what qualitis people see in Mellberg to make him even in the top 5.
he is an extremely average central defender belonging in a lower table premiership team, or a championship side.
I fail to see anything he has in defending that makes him good at his job.
I am not a fan really. BUT you have to say he is our quickest defender. Very pacy i find. Also strong at tackling (obvoius I know but he is good, better than say, Hughes)
However, looks less comfortable in possesion that me when I play football, cannot deal with the long ball (heading wise), and sometimes fails to read the game, relying on his pace.