Aston Villa
Aston Villa Football Club, founded in 1874, is a professional football club based in Aston, Birmingham, England. Competing in the Premier League, Villa has played at their home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. As one of England’s oldest and most successful clubs, Aston Villa boasts seven Football League First Division titles, seven FA Cups, five League Cups, and one European Cup and European Super Cup each. In the 1880s, under Scotsman George Ramsay, the club pioneered the modern passing game and played a key role in the sport’s move to professionalism in 1885. Villa director William McGregor founded the Football League in 1888. Under Ramsay, Villa won six League Championships and six FA Cups, making them the most successful English club from the 1890s to the 1970s. Despite a record-breaking 128 goals in the 1930-31 season, the club faced a decline starting in the mid-1930s, culminating in a relegation to the third tier in 1969-70. Doug Ellis’s takeover in 1968 and Ron Saunders’s management led to a revival, with Villa winning their seventh league title in 1980-81 and the European Cup in 1981-82, followed by the European Super Cup.
Aston Villa, a founding member of the Premier League in 1992, regularly qualified for European competitions in the 1990s. However, financial struggles led to Doug Ellis selling the club to Randy Lerner, whose tenure saw Villa’s relegation in 2015-16. The club returned to the Premier League in 2019. Villa has spent 110 seasons in the top flight, the second-highest of any club, and produced 77 England internationals, ranking fifth in the all-time English top-flight table and seventh in overall competitive honors. The club maintains fierce rivalries with Birmingham City (Second City derby) and West Bromwich Albion (West Midlands derby). Aston Villa’s traditional kit features claret shirts with sky blue sleeves, white shorts, and sky blue socks, with a badge displaying a rampant lion. The club is currently owned by V Sports, a company held by Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris, American billionaire Wes Edens, and American investment firm Atairos.
Achievement
7 Football League First Division Titles: 1893–94, 1895–96, 1896–97, 1898–99, 1899–1900, 1909–10, 1980–81
7 FA Cups: 1887, 1895, 1897, 1905, 1913, 1920, 1957
5 League Cups: 1960–61, 1974–75, 1976–77, 1993–94, 1995–96
1 European Cup: 1981–82
1 European Super Cup: 1982
17 Charity/Community Shields (1 outright, 6 shared): 1899 (shared), 1910 (shared), 1957 (shared), 1981 (shared), 1983, 1911 (shared), 1920, 1957, 1972, 1974 (shared), 1980, 1981 (shared), 1982 (shared), 1988, 1990, 1991 (shared), 1993
1 Intertoto Cup: 2001
Notable Player
Peter Withe
Striker and Goal Scorer: Peter Withe was a prolific striker who played for Aston Villa from 1980 to 1985.
European Cup Hero: Scored the winning goal in Aston Villa’s 1982 European Cup final victory against Bayern Munich.
League Titles: Helped Aston Villa win the First Division title in the 1980-81 season.
FA Cup: Also won the FA Cup with Villa in 1982.
Overall Impact: Withe’s contributions made him a celebrated figure in Villa’s history, particularly for his role in their European success.
Jack Grealish
Youth Academy Product: Developed through Aston Villa’s youth academy, joining the club in 2012.
Captaincy and Leadership: Became the team captain and a central figure in Villa’s midfield.
Promotion to Premier League: Played a key role in Villa’s promotion to the Premier League in 2019.
Top-Flight Impact: Instrumental in Villa’s successful campaigns to maintain their Premier League status.
Playing Style: Known for his exceptional dribbling skills, creativity, and flair on the field.
Transfer to Manchester City: Transferred to Manchester City in 2021 for a record British transfer fee, marking a significant career move.