david brooks After Saturday’s Aston game, he said “being back there means everything” Villa Bournemouth saw the midfielder appear for the first time since cancer treatment.
25 year old Wales International last appeared in a game in September 2021 and was diagnosed with second-stage Hodgkin lymphoma soon after.
Brooks announced he was cancer-free last May and is back in Bournemouth’s matchday squad, where they beat Liverpool 1-0 last weekend.
He then entered the game in the 79th minute. Villa Park – a moment that garnered applause from both groups of fans – in one contest Cherries were defeated 3-0.
Brooks told Bournemouth’s official website: “Frankly, it hasn’t been a great time in the last 18 months.
“It was a good feeling to be back on the field and try to help and feel that you were involved. When I came in, the game didn’t really go as planned in terms of what I wanted to do and helping the team achieve, but yes, it was a good moment to be back there.
I want to thank all Villa fans who did this (applause). They got close enough when I went to warm up in the first place, so to do that, my family in the crowd and everyone involved with me, it was a good moment for them too. .
“Being back there and doing the things I love means everything.
“It was a tough 18 months for my mom and dad to watch me go through this, while my girlfriend Flora was basically a 24-hour nurse and she was getting me healthy.
“My girlfriend’s brother and father were in the stands and she’s going through exactly the same things as me and she didn’t get the best news over the weekend. Frankly, it’s a bit frustrating for her and I just want to send my support and show that there is some light at the end of the tunnel when she gets there.”
Bournemouth, led by Gary O’Neil, dropped one spot in the Premier League after the defeat to 19th place.
Villa scored with an early Douglas Luiz finish, Jacob Ramsey’s 80th minute hit and an Emiliano Buendia header with one minute of regular time left as they recorded a third win in four games.
Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens watched the match from the stands. Unai Sandpaper“This is very important,” he said, who has been in office since November. It’s the first time since I’ve been here that they both came.
Nassef was also good in other games we played. I really appreciate their visit, the players are the same and sometimes I think it’s good to be here together.
“(Saturday) was a great day because they watched our victory here and I think they enjoyed it with the team.”
Villa, who was just one point above the relegation zone at 16th when Emery officially started working with the team, is now 11th and just four points behind sixth-placed Liverpool.