Former Spurs stars toasted Argentina’s big day at Barley Pub

Two of England’s best Argentinian football imports toasted their national independence day at an English village pub.

Football legends Ossie Artiles and Ricardo Villa were guests of honor at the Fox and Hounds in Barley, Hertfordshire on Saturday and managed to catch the FA Cup final on a big screen in the garden.

Pub owner Graham Smith-Bernell is a friend of the former Tottenham and Argentina stars – both now 71 – and his wife is from South America.

Ardles paid tribute to Villa’s winning 1981 FA Cup goal, adding: „We are absolutely delighted to be here.”

Ardiles, who lives in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, and Villa, who lives in Argentina and is visiting England, and former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ledley King, attended the event.

They answered punters’ questions about football after watching Manchester United beat Manchester City at Wembley on the TV screen in the pub garden.

Villa scored one of his most famous goals Artiles was also in Wembley history – when Spurs beat Manchester City in the 1981 FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Mr Smith-Bernell, 66, owner of Newcells Park Stud near Royston, said he got to know many former Spurs players through horse racing and supporting the club.

He said that „a lot” of former Tottenham „legends” had been drinking in the pub.

„May 25 is a special day in Argentina,” Mr Bernal-Smith said. His wife is Marcela Bolivian.

„I know Ossie and I know Ricky has been here,” he said.

„We have the FA Cup. We thought why not have Argentinean meats and sausages – then we’ll celebrate May 25 with wine tasting.”

Ardiles said: „We were absolutely delighted to be here. It’s a lovely, lovely Argentinian barbecue. Argentinian wine.

„All Spurs supporters will be delighted to see Ricky Villa here.

„He scored a fantastic, fantastic goal.

„They say the best goal of the century was when we beat Manchester City 3-2 at Wembley.

„Ricky scored the winning goal.”

Villa said: „It was a different goal – a South American goal.

“As soon as I crossed one, the other, the goal was approaching.

„This goal changed my life.”