Aston Villa were formed in March 1874, by members of the Villa Cross Wesleyan Chapel in Aston (in Birmingham). The four founders were Jack Hughes, Frederick Matthews, Walter Price, and William Scattergood.
The first ever official match the mighty Villa played was against Aston Brook St Mary's Rugby team. As a condition of the game, Villa agreed to play the first half under rugby rules, and the second under football rules.
Aston Villa's first ever honour came in 1880, where they won the Senior Cup under the captaincy of Scotsman George Ramsay. Seven years later, the club won it's first ever FA Cup, this time under the captaincy of Archie Hunter, one of the game's first real household names.
Villa were one of the 12 clubs that founded the inaugural Football League back in 1888. One of the club's directors at the time, William McGregor, is credited as being the founder of the league.
In 1897, Villa won their first Football League trophy, as well as a second FA Cup. In this same successful year for the Birmingham club, they also moved to the ground where they currently are, at Villa Park, which when it was first built was known as Ashton Lower Grounds.
For the next two decades Aston Villa had a largely successful period, winning six FA Cup trophies and several Football League titles. However, after their sixth FA Cup win in 1920, things started to go downhill for the Villa, and by 1936, after 16 years without a trophy, Aston Villa were relegated out of the top division in the Football League, that point being the first time in their history.
And it would be another 37 years before they would next win a trophy, which happened to be a seventh FA Cup success. This seventh FA Cup victory is their last FA Cup to date.
Much of the reason for such a long period of time without a trophy was due to the fact that World War Two had cost Villa several players, and the fact that football was suspended for seven years during because of the war.
In 1967, Aston Villa were relegated from the top flight of English football for only the third time in their history, under the guidance of manager Dick Taylor. And things then got even worse for Villa after they got relegated from the Second Division in 1970.
However, two years later they bounced back as champions of the Third Division, and signs of change were present at Villa Park.
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about 1 month ago
Another interesting fact about Villa - they were the first English club to hire a non-British manager - Dr.Josef Venglos.
Great article Yoosof.. very informative.
from about 1 month ago
interesting. thanks shyam.
about 1 month ago
Good article Yoosof,
Glad to see that you are putting so much effort in getting to know your new adopted club even more.
from about 1 month ago
haha yeah, i need to know about the mighty aston villa! thanks for the comment alden.
about 1 month ago
Good article , Yoosof. I hardly knew anything about Aston ( my fault entirely), so thanks for this.
Btw Michello, sounds good, like Jello, which is also good ! hahah
cheers x
from about 1 month ago
that's alright michelle, and yeah sorry for the typing error! thanks for the comment.
about 1 month ago
Nice article Yoosof, taught me a few things I didn't know about Villa.
from about 1 month ago
thanks alan, glad i can be of service to you.
about 1 month ago
Good article, better than mine :)
At least I hand my roundtable contributions in on time!
from about 1 month ago
yeah alright lol, sorry 'chris nowlands'. thanks for commenting mate.
about 1 month ago
Nice article Yoosof...
I like Villa under O'Neill. I would like them to get into the top 4 at the expense of either Chelsea or United (just cos everyone else says it'll be Liverpool or Arsenal :-P)
about 1 month ago
Nice article Yoosof...
I like Villa under O'Neill. I would like them to get into the top 4 at the expense of either Chelsea or United (just cos everyone else says it'll be Liverpool or Arsenal :-P)
from about 1 month ago
thanks mary. yeah i'd love it if they broke into the top four, although hopefully not at the expense of man.united!!
about 1 month ago
Great piece Yoosof. In the greater scheme of things I see Villa as part of the REAL big four. Liverpool, United, Forest and Villa! I've always had a soft spot for them.
from about 1 month ago
thanks anthony. haha yeah they are a part of the big four, the real big four lol. it is a good point, as it is an achievement that quite surprisingly arsenal or chelsea haven't accomplished, winning the european cup. also thanks for the potd vote mate, much appreciated.
from about 1 month ago
All will change come May - mark my words, Arsenal win Champions League :-) Then it'll be Chelsea out on their own :-P
from about 1 month ago
Nothing against Arsenal winning it in particular Maire but I hope they don't. Living in London I take great pleasure in reminding friends of mine who support any of the London clubs that the only time that the european cup came to London was when United won at it wembley in 68. Wouldn't want to lose my favourite wind-up.
about 1 month ago
Well written Yoosof, always nice to find out more about the history of such an illustrious club.
from about 1 month ago
thanks guido. yeah aston villa do have a very rich history, it surprised me how many trophies they had won!
about 1 month ago
I always admired the great efforts of Ron Atkinson to keep the club competitive in the early nineties, until his sacking which was I think the worst thing Villa ever did over the last few years. A mate of mine was a Villa diehard and he used to say the only reason Ferguson bought Bosnich was so he could guarantee he wouldn't play against united anymore and save any more penalties.hahaha. They had some great sides in the early nineties, played some good football.
from about 1 month ago
indeed. thanks for the comment illya.
about 1 month ago
Wow.. Learned a lot.
Great informative piece. Thanks for the article.
from about 1 month ago
sure no problem khalid, glad i can be of service to you. and thank you for commenting!
about 1 month ago
Another great piece Yoosof, very informative on a team I know very little, but hopefully I'll learn more as you keep them coming ;)
from about 1 month ago
thanks marzia. as villa's CL i guarantee more articles on the villa will be coming soon.
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