IN FOCUS: ASTON VILLA

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

We take a closer look at our opposition for the upcoming Premier League season

2023-06-20T12:00:00.000Z

IN FOCUS: ASTON VILLA

We take a closer look at our opposition for the upcoming Premier League season

2023-06-20T12:00:00.000Z

We take a closer look at our opposition for the upcoming Premier League season

Aston Villa

Villa were formed in 1874 and will mark their 150th birthday next year.

A legendary figure at the club, George Ramsay joined in 1876 having seen a practice match taking place in Aston Park, and he became the club's first official manager in 1886.

Two years later, the Villans played a key role in helping to form The Football League and they won three league titles between 1894 and 1897.

Highly successful, particularly in the FA Cup, the Midlands-based outfit were one of England’s most recognisable clubs for decades, but following the retirement of Scotsman Graham they were relegated for the first time ever in 1936.

A revival followed however and after a barren few years, they would become the first team to win the Football League Cup in 1961.

Villa’s greatest success then came a year later, winners of the European Cup with a famous victory in the competition’s final against German Giants Bayern Munich.

Also winning the European Super Cup over two legs against Spanish side Barcelona, Villa had been on the up but just five years after such a triumph, they were relegated from the top flight.

Instantly bouncing back, they would go on to remain in the top flight until 2016, narrowly beaten to the Premier League title by Manchester United in 1992/93.

Three years in the Sky Bet Championship culminated in a play-off final victory over Derby County and Villa have remained in the Premier League ever since. Unai Emery guided the Villans to a 7th-place finish and qualified for the UEFA Europa Conference League in his first season at the Club.

Stadium: Villa Park (42,657) - Trinity Road, Birmingham, B6 6HE

Nickname(s): The Villans, The Lions

Manager: Unai Emery

2022/23 finishing position: 7th

2022/23 top scorer (all competitions): Ollie Watkins (16)

Played for both:

Ashley Westwood - The midfielder made over 150 appearances at Villa Park before moving to Burnley in 2017. Westwood went on to make 181 apps for the Clarets, scoring seven times. The 33-year-old then moved to USA side Charlotte FC in January 2023.

Matt Lowton - Also made move from Villa to Burnley in 2015. The right-back made 82 villa appearances before featuring 203 times for Burnley. Lowton then joined Huddersfield on loan in January 2023 before departing in the summer.

Tom Heaton - Spent seven seasons at Burnley after joining from Bristol City and making 200 appearances. Heaton then joined Villa in the summer of 2019. The goalkeeper made 20 appearances at Villa Park across two seasons before re-joining Manchester United.

Full record against (competitive): P - 122, W - 41, D - 29, L - 52

Last time we met: 19th May 2022 - Aston Villa 1 [Buendia] - 1 Burnley [Barnes, penalty] (Premier League)

Last win against: 27th January 2021 - Burnley 3 [Mee, McNeil, Wood] - 2 Aston Villa [Watkins, Grealish] (Premier League)

2023/24 Fixtures: Home - 26th August 2023 / Away - 30th December 2023