James O'Connor

Aston Villa

O'Connor went to Wheelers Lane Boys' School in Birmingham between 1996 and 2001. He joined the Aston Villa youth set-up in 1997 after his P.E teacher Mr Alan Miller recommended O'Connor to the club as a creative midfield player. He instead established himself as a strong defender and started in the 2002 FA Youth Cup final win against Everton. A traffic collision early in the year had ruled him out for several weeks, and he missed the first leg of the semi-final but returned to help his side resist an Everton attack fronted by Wayne Rooney in the final. Turning professional with Aston Villa in 2004, later in the year, he enjoyed a three-month loan spell at League One side Port Vale to gain first-team experience. He played 15 games for Martin Foyle's "Valiants" in 2004–05. After returning to Villa Park and featuring heavily in the Premier League Reserves title-winning team, he joined AFC Bournemouth on loan for the remainder of the season in League One.

AFC Bournemouth

After a successful loan spell, he joined Bournemouth permanently at the end of the 2004–05 season after Villa agreed to an undisclosed transfer. O'Connor quickly became an integral part of the team, making his name as an energetic and pacey player, playing in either one of the full-back positions. He scored his first and only goal for the "Cherries", a thumping half volley, from 25 yards (23 m) out; in a 2–2 draw with Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park on 8 April 2006. Recovering…

O'Connor was a versatile defender capable of playing across any position in the back four. Media coverage and tactical analyses frequently noted his defensive discipline alongside his contribution to attacking play.

Aston Villa

FA Youth Cup: 2001–02 Doncaster Rovers

Football League One play-offs: 2008 Football League Trophy: 2006–07 Walsall

Football League Trophy runner-up: 2014–15 Individual

Doncaster Rovers Player of the Year: 2009–10