Hello, this is Graham. Welcome to a classic big interview. This time we go back to season 1617.

This is what I had to say about it back then.

Having already interviewed him for my Spain book

about their amazing trophy treble.

Thomas Hitzelsberger is somebody that I desperately

wanted to sit down and talk football to on the big interview for ages.

Intelligent, articulate and passionate about this game that we love. Thomas is all of that and much more.

In fact, I'll be frank and say that for the three of us when we were recording with him in London,

even given how much respect we had for him, it was something in a shock about the degree of

articulacy and clear deep thinking about football he's got now that he's an analyst

rather than the player. It was stunning to listen to refreshing and great fun. In this part one of our

conversation he breaks down his 11 years at the Barn Munich Academy where amongst others he emerged

through alongside Philip Lamb the courage and daring of Thomas's decision to quit that club age 17 will amaze you. Villa fans listen closely. I bet all of you thrilled to having the hammer at Villa Park will probably be still surprised

of exactly what Cajone is he showed in order to move from Bavaria to the English

Midlands and become a star for Villa.

We also touch on his part in Stuttgart's Bundesliga title win in 2007.

Hits talks us through his decisive goal on the final day of that thrilling season, a stunning volley.

Do yourself a favor, search for it in

YouTube right now. Thomas Hitzelsberger Stuttgart Bundesliga title. This is part one.

I'd say enjoy, but I know you will. Thomas, you enormously helped me and back page when we were writing the book of Spain and their era,

so it's really good to meet finally.

First thing I want to say is like, there are golfers who aren't like Arnold Palmer with a swing that comes all over the place and they just hit the ball

...