Chris Nicholl: Former Northern Ireland, Southampton and Aston Villa defender dies at 77

Chris Nicholl had spells as manager at Southampton and Walsall

Former Northern Ireland, Southampton and Aston Villa defender Chris Nicholl has died.

The English-born 77-year-old started his career at Burnley but is best remembered for spells at Aston Villa and Southampton.

He was Saints manager for six years and Walsall boss from 1994 to 1997.

Nicholl made his international debut in 1974 and won 51 caps for Northern Ireland.

He was part of the Northern Ireland team which reached the World Cup finals in 1982.

"We are saddened to learn of the passing of Chris Nicholl. He played 51 times for us, including the 1982 World Cup in Spain. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time," the Irish Football Association wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Nicholl also played for Halifax Town, Luton Town and Grimsby Town in a professional career spanning 19 years.

Chris Nicholl challenges West Brom's John Wile while playing for Southampton in 1979

He managed Southampton between 1985 and 1991 before his three years in charge of Walsall and he was assistant manager to the Northern Ireland team from 1998 to 2000.

Nicholl made 210 appearances for Villa, winning two League Cups and famously scoring all four goals in a 2-2 draw with Leicester - including two at the wrong end - before playing 228 times for Southampton.

"Aston Villa is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player Chris Nicholl, who has died at the age of 77," a statement read on the club's X account.

"The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Chris' family and friends at this difficult time."

In the 2017 BBC documentary Dementia, Football and Me,Nicholl told Alan Shearer, who played under him at Southampton, he was "brain-damaged from heading balls".

Nicholl said: "My memory is in trouble. Everyone forgets regular things, where your keys are. But when you forget where you live, that's different.

"I've had that for the last four or five years, it is definitely getting worse. It bothers me."

Nicholl's former Northern Ireland team-mate John O'Neill said he was "very saddened to hear the news about my good friend Chris".

"When I first got into the Northern Ireland squad Danny Blanchflower the manager put me into room with him. Then I only knew him as a wonderful player not as a person," said former Leicester City defender O'Neill.

"Danny said he will teach you everything you need to know about playing centre half and he most certainly did.

"He was a hell of a player, a really tough, old school competitor. But most of all he was one of the good guys and will be sorely missed."