Aston Villa Football Club: A Legacy in Claret and Blue

Aston Villa Football Club, one of the oldest and most storied football institutions in England, has played an integral role in shaping the landscape of the beautiful game. Based in Birmingham, West Midlands, Aston Villa boasts a rich history that spans over a century, with moments of triumph, struggle, and revival woven into the fabric of English football. From their humble beginnings in the 19th century to their modern-day aspirations in the Premier League, Aston Villa’s journey is definitely an interesting one. Another interesting to bear in mind is that they are supported by the crown prince of England, William, who whilst actively searching for a team to support other than one of the big, successful clubs that would invariably attract many including ‘glory hunters’ decided to start supporting Aston Villa. Here is a clip of Prince William talking about Aston Villa.

Origins and Formation

Aston Villa was formed in 1874 by members of the Villa Cross Wesleyan Chapel cricket team in the Aston district of Birmingham. Like many clubs of that era, Villa began life as a recreational outlet for local workers. The founders – Jack Hughes, Frederick Matthews, Walter Price, and William Scattergood – were instrumental in transitioning the team from a simple pastime into a competitive football club.

Their first match was against Aston Brook St Mary’s Rugby team, and due to the different codes being played at the time, the first half was played according to rugby rules, and the second half to association football rules. Such was the informal nature of football in its infancy, but Aston Villa quickly adapted to the growing popularity of the association game.

Rise to Prominence

Aston Villa quickly became a dominant force in English football. They were one of the twelve founding members of the Football League in 1888, which marked the beginning of professional league football in England. Under the stewardship of visionary figures such as George Ramsay – the game’s first professional football manager – and chairman William McGregor, who was instrumental in founding the Football League itself, Villa became a powerhouse.

The club enjoyed immense success during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Between 1894 and 1910, Aston Villa won six First Division titles and five FA Cups, becoming the most successful English club of the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Their 1897 league and FA Cup double remains one of the earliest examples of such an achievement in English football.

Post-War Years and Decline

The interwar years saw Villa’s fortunes decline somewhat, and after World War II, the club experienced mixed results. The highlight of the post-war period came in 1957, when Villa defeated the famous ‘Busby Babes’ of Manchester United 2–1 to win the FA Cup. However, the 1960s and 1970s were challenging, culminating in the club’s relegation to the Third Division in 1970.

This low point was a catalyst for change. Under the management of Ron Saunders, Aston Villa climbed back up the divisions and returned to the top flight. The culmination of this resurgence was the club’s crowning achievement: winning the First Division title in 1980–81. The following year, in 1982, Villa etched their name into European football history by winning the European Cup (now UEFA Champions League), defeating Bayern Munich 1–0 in Rotterdam – one of only five English clubs to have won the prestigious trophy.

Recent History

In the modern Premier League era, Aston Villa has experienced a mix of stability and turmoil. The club was a regular top-half side during the 1990s and early 2000s under managers like Brian Little and John Gregory. However, inconsistent management and ownership issues led to relegation from the Premier League in 2016 after 28 consecutive seasons in the top tier.

After three seasons in the Championship, Villa returned to the Premier League in 2019 via the play-offs. Under the management of Dean Smith and the captaincy of Jack Grealish, Villa began rebuilding. Since then, the club has invested in both infrastructure and squad development, aiming to re-establish themselves as a force in English and European football once more. Under Unai Emery, appointed in 2022, the club has experienced a significant resurgence, including a strong push for European qualification.

Club Kit and Identity

Aston Villa are instantly recognisable by their iconic claret and blue colours. The traditional home kit consists of a claret shirt with sky blue sleeves, white shorts, and sky blue socks. This colour scheme was adopted in the 1880s and has remained largely unchanged, becoming synonymous with the club’s identity.

Over the years, the club’s kits have seen various stylistic changes in terms of design and sponsor logos, but the core colours have always remained. The away and third kits have often varied widely in colour, from white and black to bold choices like lime green or dark navy, often depending on fashion and sponsorship trends.

Villa’s crest has also evolved. The current version features a golden lion passant on a claret background, representing strength, bravery, and the club’s rich heritage. The inclusion of a star above the crest marks their European Cup triumph in 1982.

Home Grounds and Stadiums

Aston Villa’s early matches were played at several grounds, including Aston Park and Wellington Road in Perry Barr. However, it was the move to Villa Park in 1897 that cemented their physical and emotional home.

Villa Park, located in the Aston district of Birmingham, has been the club’s stadium ever since. Originally built to house 40,000 spectators, the ground has undergone numerous renovations over the decades. Its current capacity is just over 42,000, making it one of the largest club stadiums in England outside London.

The stadium is renowned for its historic architecture, particularly the Trinity Road Stand, and its vibrant atmosphere. Villa Park has hosted more FA Cup semi-finals than any other stadium and was used during the 1966 World Cup and UEFA Euro 1996. Plans are in place for further redevelopment to modernise the stadium and increase its capacity to around 50,000, reflecting the club’s ambitions.

Cultural and Community Impact

Aston Villa has always maintained a deep connection with the local community. The club plays a significant role in promoting sports, education, and social causes in Birmingham. The Aston Villa Foundation works closely with schools and grassroots organisations to provide opportunities for young people.

Rivalries also play a key part in Villa’s cultural identity. The most prominent is the fierce Second City derby against Birmingham City, a fixture characterised by passionate support and local pride. Villa also shares regional rivalries with West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Aston Villa also stands out for the fact that during the unfortunate hooliganism that plagued England with the 1970s and 1980s particularly being noted for that, the Villa ‘hooligans’ never flirted with the racist far right and their ‘Zulu warriors’ as they were known were multi-racial.

Below is a list of some of Villa’s trophies.

🏆 Major Domestic Honours

First Division / Premier League (Top Tier)

• Winners (7):
  1893–94, 1895–96, 1896–97, 1898–99, 1899–1900, 1909–10, 1980–81

• Runners-up (10):
  1888–89, 1891–92, 1902–03, 1907–08, 1910–11, 1912–13, 1913–14, 1919–20, 1930–31, 1992–93

FA Cup

• Winners (7):
  1887, 1895, 1897, 1905, 1913, 1920, 1957

• Runners-up (4):
  1892, 1924, 2000, 2015

Football League Cup (EFL/Carabao Cup)

• Winners (5):
  1960–61, 1974–75, 1976–77, 1993–94, 1995–96

• Runners-up (4):
  1962–63, 1970–71, 2010, 2020

FA Charity Shield / Community Shield

• Winners (1 shared):
  1981 (shared with Tottenham Hotspur)

• Runners-up (6):
  1910, 1913, 1920, 1957, 1972, 1982

🌍 European Honours

European Cup (now UEFA Champions League)

• Winners (1):
  1981–82

UEFA Super Cup

• Winners (1):
  1982

Intertoto Cup

• Winners (1):
  2001

Conclusion

Aston Villa Football Club is a club whom if Manchester United had not had their glorious Ferguson era, would be on comparable terms to the latter. In other words like other historically big clubs such as Newcastle United, many (particularly some foreign-raised) younger fans would not be aware of how big the club is both in terms of its support and its historical achievement. They are located in the middle of England in the country’s second biggest city and have perhaps not punched their full weight as befitting their size and historical status.