There have been numerous memorable debuts to delight the claret and blue faithful throughout the course of the Premier League years.

Dion Dublin's two-goal blast against Tottenham in 1998 and Benito Carbone's virtuoso midfield display against Wimbledon the following season are just a couple which spring to mind.

They were, without doubt, performances which had us on the edge of our seats

By sharp contrast, I was sitting comfortably throughout Olof Mellberg's debut. The game was far from exciting and the Swedish defender never looked like scoring.

But if that sounds like a criticism, you couldn't be more wrong. Watching Olof's first competitive match in claret and blue - at Tottenham on the opening day of the 2001-02 campaign - my overwhelming impression was that all would be well with Villa's defence over the next few seasons.

Gareth Southgate had left the club that summer and we wondered how on earth Villa would find anyone capable of replacing the England international. By the final whistle at White Hart Lane, we had our answer.

Olof was immaculate that afternoon, totally obliterating any hint of threat from Spurs as Villa opened the season with a hard-earned goalless draw.

He has continued in much the same vein over the past seven years, too, only occasionally slipping below his exceptionally high standards. Significantly, though, he regards that perfect performance in north London as his best moment in a Villa shirt.

"I hadn't long signed from Racing Santander and the only game I had played was a friendly against my former club," he recalls. "A lot of things were new to me. I hadn't had too much time to work with the team and the fans probably didn't know too much about me. But I had a solid game."

That modest description of "solid" is typical of Mellberg's understated approach, both on and off the pitch. Words like superb, magnificent and outstanding would be more fitting, but he simply isn't a man to get carried away with his own importance.

He has quietly and efficiently got on with the job in hand, always going about his business with the minimum of fuss. He has done it fairly, too. While his position makes yellow cards inevitable from time to time, he has only once been sent off, when he was dismissed for two bookings in the recent match at Portsmouth.

It was also at Fratton Park that he suffered one of the other major disappointments of his Villa career, being left out for the opening game at Portsmouth in August 2003. Manager David O'Leary quickly realised his error and Mellberg was immediately re-instated.

Soon afterwards, he was appointed captain, and by the end of that season Villa were sixth in the table.

"I would say that was my favourite season," he says. "I was captain for most of it and we only missed out on goal difference for a UEFA Cup place.

"This season has also been good for the team, although I've been playing out of position most of the time and I haven't really been on top of my game.

"But it would be brilliant if we could finish fifth and qualify for the UEFA Cup next season, even though I won't be here. I've said for a few months now that the best farewell for me is to have a good finish to the season and to do as well as possible for the team and the fans.

"By doing that, I'm showing how much the club has meant to me. The final game is massive - it can take us into Europe and that's the main focus."

Olof may be bound for Juventus but he will never forget the backing he has been given by Villa supporters. Their mutual admiration was never more evident than when he was substituted in the Second City derby victory over Birmingham City two weeks ago.

Given a standing ovation as he left the pitch, he clenched his fists in acknowledgement of a memorable victory, and the roar became a crescendo.

"I would like to thank the fans for the way they have treated me," he said. "It's been fantastic. When I signed my pre-contract for Juventus, I just wanted to keep playing and doing my best for everyone."

During his time in claret and blue, Olof has had four managers - John Gregory, Graham Taylor, David O'Leary and Martin O'Neill - as well as two chairmen, Doug Ellis and Randy Lerner.

He has made 261 appearances (with two, hopefully, still to come) and has scored eight goals, although he is making no promises of any additions in the scoring department. No matter, he has been worth £5.6m of anybody's money. Arrivederci Olof!