Copyright dailystar
You might not recognise the player with the dubious distinction of having the worst penalty record in Premier League history. That's because one of the top strikers in England's top flight in his heyday and a cult hero to fans looks totally different now, two decades on from his last match on these shores, as he celebrates his 50th birthday and graduating from the PFA Business School. Former Aston Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel spent six years in England after signing for a then club record £13million fee from River Plate in 2001. The Colombian ace bagged 62 goals in 205 appearances in all competitions for the Midlanders, hitting his peak when he netted 16 times in 33 games in the Premier League in 2003–04. He was instantly recognisable in his playing days with his shoulder length dark hair, which he regularly paired with an Alice band to keep it out of his face. However, Angel, who turned 50 on Friday, October 24, now looks completely different having swapped his long locks for a short and clean cut, with a grey beard. Although Angel is the highest-scoring Colombian in Premier League history, it is another unwanted record that he is perhaps more commonly associated with. Having scored just five of his 10 Premier League penalties, Angel holds the unwanted distinction of having the worst penalty record in Premier League history. His conversion rate of 50% is the lowest of any player to have taken at least 10 spot-kicks during the 29 years of the Premier League. Angel could have avoided the record had he not missed both of the two penalties he took against Fulham back in 2005. Had he scored just one of those he would have been joint-second on a 60% conversion rate, tied with the likes of Steed Malbranque and Dwight Yorke. Angel finished as Villa's top scorer on three separate occasions, including his debut campaign with Villa, before departing for Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls in 2007. After spells with LA Galaxy, Chivas USA and Atletico Nacional, Angel retired in 2014 and has worked as an advisor for MLS side LAFC since December 2017. Commenting on his latest accolade, he said: "Extremely proud to have been a part of the first @thepfabusiness graduation class. "Huge thank you to @the_pfa for building a platform for players and former players personal development and growth, to all of the lectures for their guidance, to my class mates for the support, knowledge and advice through out the course." Angel and his wife, Maria Paula Gutierrez, have three sons together, Geronimo, Tomas, and Pascual. Tomas is also a footballer, following in his father's footsteps by playing for Major League Soccer clubs and representing Colombia at under-20 level.
