Played for Villa: 1938-1947
Position: Forward
Appearances: 31
Another player whose career record is diminshed by the intteruption of war, O'Donnell came to Villa as an established striker with international caps (and goals) to his name, justifying the substantial £10,500 price paid. His impressive goal tallies for former clubs, Celtic, Preston and Blackpool, attracted Villa's attention and he debuted for the Villans towards the end of 1938. O'Donnell would play every one of the remaining 29 games that season, scoring 14 along the way, and proving himself a top-quality striker. Alas, but for a handful of War appearances, that was to be his lot at Villa, and he moved on to Nottingham Forest on a free transfer after the War, by now in his mid-30s. He died aged just 41, after a brief spell in football management.
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Position: Forward
Appearances: 31
Another player whose career record is diminshed by the intteruption of war, O'Donnell came to Villa as an established striker with international caps (and goals) to his name, justifying the substantial £10,500 price paid. His impressive goal tallies for former clubs, Celtic, Preston and Blackpool, attracted Villa's attention and he debuted for the Villans towards the end of 1938. O'Donnell would play every one of the remaining 29 games that season, scoring 14 along the way, and proving himself a top-quality striker. Alas, but for a handful of War appearances, that was to be his lot at Villa, and he moved on to Nottingham Forest on a free transfer after the War, by now in his mid-30s. He died aged just 41, after a brief spell in football management.
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