There are football clubs, and then there are institutions – and Aston Villa, as it celebrates its 150th anniversary, is firmly in the latter category. One and a half centuries of history, tradition, and triumph are woven into the claret and blue of this grand old club, which was founded in 1874 by members of the Villa Cross Wesleyan Chapel cricket team. Their aim? To stay active during the winter months. Little did they know they were lighting a fire that would burn so brightly for generations of football fans. The early days were a mixture of ambition and invention. It was Villa that helped shape the modern game, co-founding the Football League in 1888 alongside 11 other trailblazing clubs. Central to this achievement was William McGregor, a visionary and Villa committee member who is widely regarded as the father of league football.
McGregor’s foresight in organizing structured competition revolutionized the sport, providing the framework for the global game we know today. By the turn of the century, Aston Villa had become a dominant force, capturing six league titles and five FA Cups before 1920. Villa Park, their spiritual home since 1897, had already established itself as a fortress of footballing excellence. Yet, if Villa’s early decades were a blur of silverware, their modern history has been defined by moments of sheer transcendence. Take, for instance, the club’s crowning glory on that magical night in Rotterdam in 1982. Against the odds, a patched-up Villa side defeated Bayern Munich 1-0 to claim the European Cup, thanks to Peter Withe’s scrappy finish and a heroic performance by goalkeeper Nigel Spink. That victory wasn’t just a win for Villa but for English football, cementing the club’s name among Europe’s elite.
Through the decades, Villa has been synonymous with iconic players and unforgettable milestones. There was the dazzling dribbling of Trevor Ford in the 1940s and ‘50s, the relentless scoring of Gerry Hitchens, and the cultured leadership of Dennis Mortimer in the ‘80s. Today, Villa boasts a squad that mixes youthful flair and seasoned professionalism, aiming to write its own chapter in the club’s storied history. Off the pitch, Villa has been at the forefront of change. In 2024, the club launched an ambitious redevelopment of Villa Park, with plans to include “The Warehouse” – the Premier League’s largest beer hall. It’s not just about modernizing; it’s about preserving the essence of what makes this club special: community, connection, and a relentless passion for the game.
As part of their 150th anniversary celebrations, Villa will host West Ham United in the FA Cup third round on January 10, 2025. The match serves as a nod to the competition that has defined much of the club’s early history. Villa’s seven FA Cup victories – the last coming in 1957 – remain a point of immense pride, a testament to a time when they set the standard for English football. So, as the floodlights illuminate Villa Park and fans belt out "Holte Enders in the Sky," this anniversary is not just about looking back. It’s about carrying forward the spirit of those Wesleyan cricketers who dreamed of something greater. Aston Villa isn’t just a football club; it’s a way of life, a beacon of resilience, and, above all, a testament to the beauty of the game.
Here’s to the next 150 years.
Shop Aston Villa's 1982 European Cup Print