Fun Facts / kuriosa:
The alphabetical story of Aston Villa
Aston Villa have a long and illustrious history - too long and illustrious for us to go into in full right now.
The Claret & Blue faithful, like all proud football supporters, like to tell anybody and everybody they meet about this great club.
So to make the AVFC gospel spread, we've condensed info into 26 easy to follow bullet points, helpfully listed into alphabetic order.
Länk: www.Birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gallery/bluffers-guide-aston-villa-transfer-29222584
A - Aston Villa.
The club’s name is believed to derive from the Aston Villa Wesleyan Chapel situated close to a Georgian house called Aston Villa where Villa Road, Lozells Road and Heathfield Road meet in Lozells. In his excellent Villa book, Children of the Revolution, author Richard Whitehead wrote: “There are loads of Uniteds, lots of Citys and Towns, a goodly sprinkling of Wanderers and Rovers and even a few Albions. “But there is only one Villa - the greatest name in football in every sense.” Former boss John Gregory agrees, observing in his autobiography The Boss: “Even the name is beautifully symmetrical, with five letters in each word.”
B – Brothers.
Seventeen sets of siblings have played together for Villa. Archie and Andy Hunter, Harry and Joe Simmonds, Arthur and Albert Brown, James and John Cowan, John and Will Devey, Bert and Jack Sharp, Alfred and Martin Watkins, Clem, Jimmy and George T. Stephenson, Harry and George Hampton, Sam and George Hardy, Frank and Amos Moss, Alec and James Logan, John and Albert McLachlan, Bruce and Neil Rioch, Alan and Brian Little, Stefan and Luke Moore (pictured). And most recently, Aaron and Jacob Ramsey. Gary Gardner had always dreamed of playing alongside big brother Craig Gardner in the same Villa team, apparently – but he had to do it down the road at Blues instead.
C – Charlie
Villa have seen their fair share of big-time Charlies down the years, but only one genuine long-time Charlie. Scottish left-back Charlie Aitken was one of the most loyal club men Villa are ever likely to boast – and he still hosts the appearance record, playing 660 times between 1961 and 1976. Sadly taken from us, you can read a lovely tribute to him here
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/tribute-charlie-aitken-aston-villa-28027401
D – Deadly
Or Sir Herbert Douglas Ellis to give him his full title. He invented the bicycle kick. The package holiday entrepreneur divided opinion during his long stewardship of Aston Villa from 1968 to 2006 (tellingly, during Ellis’ absence between 1979 and 1982 Aston Villa won the First Division title in 1981 and European Cup 1982). Valued by some for keeping Villa on a sound financial footing, pilloried by others for lacking ambition, and known by most for sacking managers, Sir Doug passed away in 2018.
E – England
Villa have provided the second highest amount of England internationals, with the number currently at 77. Howard Vaughton and Arthur Brown were the first in 1882, with Ezri Konsa the latest. ‘Who will be next?’ is the big question. Hopefully during the next few years the Bodymoor Heath production line can provide even more.
F – FA Cup
Villa have lost the FA Cup more times than some of their rivals have won it, as the old joke goes. Villa have lifted the famous trophy seven times, although after their second triumph in 1895, the cup, won in a 1-0 victory over Albion, was taken on the night of September 11, from a football equipment shop run by William Shillcock in Birmingham’s Newtown Row and was never recovered. Also never recovered has been Villa’s secret of winning the FA Cup, with their last triumph coming way back in 1957. Could Villa see cup glory under Unai Emery?
G – God
Villa fans can never hear the spiritual song Kumbaya without replacing the words with ‘Paul McGrath, my lord, Paul McGrath’. McGrath was a flawed genius, nicknamed God for turning defending into an art form despite battling alcoholism. Renowned as one of the best players in Aston Villa history, and rightly so, a genuine legend who illuminated the club between 1989 and 1996.
H- Holte End
Formerly the largest terrace in Europe, housing 26,000 fans, the Holte End is still the biggest behind the goal stand in the continent, now seating 13,000 home supporters in two tiers. It was last used as a terrace against Liverpool on the final day of 1993-94, when Villa hit back from a goal down at half-time to win 2-1 with two Dwight Yorke goals in front of the Holte End. Fans were seen streaming away from the ground with souvenirs of the Holte End, including toilet seats! Holte Enders in the Sky is a famous Villa terrace chant, to the tune of Johnny Cash’s Ghost Riders in the Sky.
I – Ivo Stas
Is the answer to the amusing trivia question, ‘Which Villa player scored for the club without ever playing a game for them?’ Stas scored an own goal playing for Banik Ostrava during Villa’s 2-1 victory over the Slovakian club in the UEFA Cup in October 1990. Despite the o.g. the defender actually played well and was signed by Villa boss Jo Venglos the following month, only to suffer an achilles tendon injury which prevented him ever kicking a ball competitively for the club. His spell prompted an amusing spoof Ivo Writes Home column in fanzine Heroes and Villains, featuring fictitious letters to his family about passing him time sight-seeing in Brum rather than playing football.
J – Jimmy
Jimmy was Villa’s first manager, and their second, with Jimmy McMullan taking over team affars which prior to June 1934 had always been managed by committee. McMullan flopped as Villa were relegated for the first time in their history in his second season, before successor Jimmy Hogan restored them to the top flight as Division Two champions in his second season in 1937-38. The story of Hogan is a fascinating one - and you can familiarise yourselves with it here.
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-jimmy-hogan-legend-12227795
K – King
Villa boast the past King, namely Phil King, he of penalty scoring fame during that cracking UEFA shootout win over Inter Milan in September 1995 (sadly, his shirt from that heady night was lost in a garage fire at his mother-in-law’s home). Villa also boast the future King, namely famous fan Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, who most recently witnessed the club's match against Olympiakos.
Wills, along with Hollywood megastar Tom Hanks and Prime Minister David Cameron have stolen fiddler Nigel Kennedy’s crown as Villa’s most well known celebrity supporter. Oh, while we on the subject of kings, Sir Mervyn King, the former Governor of the Bank of England, is a claret and blue fanatic too, who had a brief spell on the club's board.
N – Chris Nicholl
It’s rare for a player to score four goals in one game. It’s even more unusual for two of them to be in the right net and two in the wrong net. That was the situation when Nicholl hit two goals and two own goals during a 2-2 Division One draw with Leicester at Filbert Street in March 1976. Nicholl twice put the Foxes in front, before grabbing two equalisers for Villa! Sadly passed away recently.
O – Oh it must be, it is, Peter Withe
Next time you are at Villa Park, have a glance at the North Stand and familiarise yourself with the banner celebrating Brian Moore's memorable piece of commentary. It commemorates quite a moment in Aston Villa’s history, not that Villa fans like to talk about it - much!
P – Pongo Waring
The unusually-named striker kicked up quite a stink by scoring the most goals in a single season for Villa. He notched 50 overall, with 49 in the league and one in the FA Cup in 1930-31. It was also the season Villa scored their highest number of league goals – 128. Want to know more? Then read on here.
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/who-pongo-waring-you-need-8094928
Q – Quote
“If there is a club in the country which deserves to be dubbed the greatest (and the matter is one of some delicacy) few will deny the right of Aston Villa to share the highest niche of fame with even the most historic of other aspirants. For brilliancy and, at the same time, for consistency of achievement, for activity in philanthropic enterprise, for astuteness of management and for general alertness, the superiors of Aston Villa cannot be found.” William McGregor.
S – Shambles
That was the word Graham Taylor used to describe Aston Villa when he took over the club following their relegation from the First Division in 1986-87. He soon put things right. Taylor picked Villa up off the floor with an instant promotion-winning campaign. ‘Sir’ Graham was the saviour who set the Villa straight and is rightly lauded for doing so.
T –Trabzonspor
It has emerged that Villa are the inspiration for the Turkish club’s claret and blue colours. Former Villa secretary Steve Stride now works as a UEFA delegate and found out the story behind Trabzonspor’s kit before their Europa League match against Apollon Limassol. The club’s president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu revealed that when his club were formed in 1967 they had no money for kit so contacted a number of clubs in Europe and Villa were the only ones to respond, sending a full set.
U – Unsworth
Slang for ‘under the thumb’. David Unsworth signed for Villa for £4 million from West Ham in 1998, only for Mrs Unsworth to prompt a dramatic change of heart. Manager John Gregory joked that Unsworth’s wife thought Birmingham was near Bolton when the defender asked to leave Villa for Everton to be nearer his Lancashire home, just a week after arriving at Villa Park and soon got his wish. “He was told he’d got to be home by one o’clock or his dinner would be in the bin,” quipped Gregory, while Unsworth was greeted with chants of ‘Does your missus know you’re here?” on all subsequent visits to Villa Park.
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/david-unsworth-aston-villa-everton-12839854
V – Venglos
Jozef Venglos. A foreign manager? In England? It will never work! Sadly, it didn’t for Villa as the Czech pioneer struggled at Villa where some of his methods were a bit too ahead of his time. He couldn’t get why the players wanted to drink beer after matches. The Birmingham Mail headline ‘For God’s sake go, Jo’ summed up a season that was doomed to fail, although Venglos did mastermind a thrilling 2-0 victory over Inter Milan at Villa Park.
W - William McGregor.
He’s the bearded bloke made of bronze and holding a piece of paper outside Villa Park. If you don’t know who he is by now, Google him. He’s quite important.
In 1878, Aston Villa became the first team in the UK to put a crest on their playing kit, adopting the Scottish lion rampant.
The motifs were sourced from Scotland by William McGregor himself and in honour of our Club’s pioneering spirit, a crest inspired by the one that featured on those kits has been authentically redrawn from the earliest sources we have.
Y – Yorke
Start spReading the news, he’s playing today, I want to see him score again, Dwight Yorke, Dwight Yorke. Villa fans saw him score for them 98 times in 287 appearances. But it was not just the goals, it was the enjoyment and entertainment as the smiling striker, chipped in penalty, dazzled with drag-backs and even provided pre-match cheer by balancing the ball on his head as he ran the length of the pitch.
Z – Zero, zilch or Zagreb
Bosko Balaban’s scoring tally for Villa amounted to a big round nothing following his £5.8 million arrival from Dinamo Zagreb. Prolific elsewhere in his career, the Croatian centre forward failed to find the net in two starts and nine substitute appearances for Villa between 2001 and 2002 before banging in the goals again for Zagreb and Bruges.
Övrigt:
* In 1938, on the advice of the foreign office, and as not to fan the flames of political tensions in Europe, the England national team gave the Nazi salute in front of 110,000 applauding Germans.
The very next day, in the same Berlin National Olympic stadium, Aston Villa faced Bayern Munich in a friendly. After being reminded of the same foreign office advice, Aston Villa's players defiantly refused to perform the salute. A moral triumph was followed by a 3-2 win. It would be 7 years later on D-day 1945 before the British would again taste victory on German soil.
* Villa was the first team to win the League Cup.
* Villa was the first Midland team to win the FA Cup.
* Villa was the first to wear the iconic claret and blue.
https://www.flashscore.co.uk/news/football-premier-league-flashback-how-claret-and-blue-became-an-iconic-colour-combination/YqJzEii5/
* Villa was the first club to have a foreign manager (see Venglos above). Don't mix him with Sven-Goran Eriksson who became England's first foreign manager
* Villa was the last (latest?) club to field an English starting 11.
* Redan 1901 gjorde Willie Clarke som förste icke vita spelare mål för Aston Villa i en match i det engelska ligasystemet, mot Everton i en 3-2 seger. Han var enkom den tredje färgade spelaren någonsin i den engelska ligan.
https://nationalfootballmuseum.com/stories/willie-clarke/
* Villa Park has hosted numerous significant matches, including 55 FA Cup semi-finals. This is more than any other stadium in the country, highlighting its importance in English football.
* Aston Villa were relegated for the first time in 1936.
In 1936, Aston Villa faced a sobering moment in their history: relegation from the top flight for the first time. This marked a dramatic low for a club that previously dominated English football. The relegation was a wake-up call, but Villa’s durability and determination quickly came to the fore.
The team regrouped in the Second Division, rebuilding their squad and spirit. After just two seasons, they reclaimed their place in the First Division, exhibiting the grit and pride that has always been a hallmark of the club. This early setback became a testament to Villa's enduring ability to rise above challenges.
* George Ramsay is Aston Villa’s Most Successful Coach
George Ramsay is widely regarded as the most successful and influential Aston Villa coach of all-time, with his impact still resonating throughout the club and English football.
Appointed as Villa’s first professional manager in 1886, Ramsay’s innovative tactics transformed the club and placed it firmly at the pinnacle of English football during the 1880s. The Scotsman revolutionised the game by introducing a passing style—a sharp contrast to the previously dominant approach of individual play and long, direct kicks.
Under his leadership, Villa secured six League Championships and six FA Cups, making them a dominant force of the era. Ramsay’s legacy is woven into the fabric of Aston Villa, shaping the club’s ethos and laying the foundation for its continued success.
* Villa holds the all-time top-flight goalscoring record in a season
Aston Villa's 1930–31 season stands as one of the most remarkable in the tradition of English football, as the West Midlands club set the all-time top-flight goalscoring record with an astonishing 128 goals.
This incredible accomplishment didn't just captivate the Villa fans, it also cemented the club's place in football's timeline. Managed by George Ramsay, the team showcased a thrilling, attacking style of play that overwhelmed opponents.
Featuring offensive stars like Tommy McDonald and Willie Fernie, Villa's attack was a juggernaut, blending clinical finishing with relentless pursuit of goals. Their free-flowing football thrilled fans and left a lasting impact on the game.
* Villa Are Among Few to Score Twice in First Five UCL Minutes
Aston Villa etched their name into Champions League history on January 29, 2025, by becoming only the fourth team to score twice within the opening five minutes of a match after Valencia v Lazio in April 2000, Standard Liège v Arsenal in September 2009, and Borussia Dortmund v Zenit St Petersburg in February 2014.
* The Traditional Club Badge is of A Rampant Lion.
Aston Villa’s iconic rampant lion badge symbolises strength, pride, and resilience. Rooted in tradition, it represents the club’s fierce spirit and enduring legacy in English football.
The lion, depicted in an upright stance with its paw raised, symbolises courage, dominance, and durability—qualities that have defined The Villans. Though the design has evolved, the lion remains a constant, embodying Villa’s rich heritage and competitive ethos.
* Aston Villa have lost two cup trophies from theft.
1) In 1895 burglars struck at night and stole the FA-cup trophy Villa had won, beating West Bromwich Albion. It was never found.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr4qzx4n35zo
https://pocketmags.com/au/four-four-two-magazine/february-2021/articles/the-man-who-stole-the-fa-cup
Actually, Aston Villa have lost the FA-cup more times than the Blues have won it 😅
2) In 1982 our European Cup trophy was nicked, but found... in Sheffield.
https://www.sheffieldguide.blog/2021/01/13/the-story-of-when-the-stolen-european-cup-turned-up-in-sheffield
11 Obscure Facts About Aston Villa
https://oursportinglife.co.uk/12-obscure-facts-about-aston-villa/
Aston Villa, a name that resonates with a rich footballing heritage and a fan base as passionate as they come. But how much do you really know about this storied club? Sure, the history books and trophy cabinets tell one story, but let’s dive into the more hidden crevices of Villa Park and uncover some truly obscure facts about Aston Villa Football Club.
1. Literary Lions: Aston Villa in Fiction
You might be surprised to know that Aston Villa has a presence in literature. The club is mentioned in Jonathan Coe’s novel “The Rotters’ Club,” a vivid depiction of teenage life in 1970s Birmingham. Villa’s ups and downs form a backdrop to the characters’ lives, showcasing the club’s cultural impact beyond the pitch.
2. A Celestial Connection: The Villa Star
In a unique blend of astronomy and football, one of the stars in the Orion constellation was named after Aston Villa by a group of fanatical Villa-supporting astronomers. This star, unofficially known as the “Villa Star,” symbolizes the club’s stellar presence both on and off the field.
3. Hollywood Villans: Aston Villa on the Silver Screen
Aston Villa holds a unique place in the history of televised football. In 1969, Villa’s match against Manchester City was the first English League game to be broadcast in colour on television. This pioneering broadcast marked a significant moment in the evolution of how football was consumed by fans, bringing the vibrant hues of Villa’s claret and blue kit into living rooms across the country for the first time.
4. The Composer Fan: A Musical Ode to Villa
Edward Elgar, the renowned English composer, was a devoted fan of Aston Villa. He even composed a song titled “He Banged the Leather for Goal” to celebrate Villa’s 1905 FA Cup win. This harmonious blend of music and football is a testament to the club’s wide-reaching influence.
5. The Villa Meteorite
In an extraordinary cosmic event, a meteorite landed near Villa Park in 1881. This rare occurrence has since become part of local folklore, with some fans humorously claiming it brought ‘stellar luck’ to the club in its early years.
6. A Presidential Supporter
Former US President Bill Clinton, during his Oxford days, reportedly developed a soft spot for Aston Villa. It’s said that his fondness for the club began after watching them play during his time in England, illustrating the club’s global appeal.
7. The Ghost of Villa Park
Local legends whisper of a ghost haunting the historic Villa Park. Stories of mysterious shadows and unexplained sounds during quiet nights have become part of Villa Park lore, adding a spooky twist to the stadium’s rich history.
8. Villa’s Contribution to the English Language
The phrase “to villa” entered local slang, meaning “to dominate.” This originated from Villa’s dominance in the early years of English football, illustrating how the club’s success has permeated even into everyday language.
9. The Match of the Century
Aston Villa played a part in what was dubbed the ‘Match of the Century’ in 1899 against Scottish giants Rangers. This historic game, seen by some as the forerunner of European club competitions, ended in a 3-3 draw, showcasing the club’s historical significance in British football.
10. The Secret Tunnel
Rumors have long swirled about a secret tunnel leading from Villa Park to a nearby pub, used by players in bygone days for a quick escape after matches. While its existence remains unconfirmed, it’s a tantalizing piece of Villa folklore.
11. The Royal Connection
Aston Villa is one of the few clubs to have received a visit from a reigning monarch. In 1924, King George V attended a match at Villa Park, an event that remains a proud and unique moment in the club’s history.
One fact has been deleted from the list above (about Tommy Broad ... he wasn't an Aston Villa player, nor is he on the list of the survivors of the Titanic disaster).
Conclusion: The Endless Discoveries of Villa Lore
Aston Villa’s journey is not just about football; it’s a tapestry woven with unexpected and fascinating stories. From celestial connections to royal visits, the club’s lore is as rich and varied as its history on the pitch.
History of Aston Villa Trivia Quiz
https://www.funtrivia.com/trivia-quiz/Sports/History-of-Aston-Villa-273639.html
1. In what year was the Aston Villa football club formed?
Answer: 1874
In November, 1874, four members of the Aston Villa cricket club decided to form a football club. They did this so they could keep in shape during the winter months.
2. Aston Villa's first ever opponent was St. Mary's. How many players did each team have?
Answer: 15
The St. Mary's team was made up of rugby players. This first match was played at Aston Park, where many of the Villains' first matches were played. The game was played where the first half was by rugby rules and used a rugby ball. The second half was played by soccer rules and used a soccer ball. Aston Villa won the game.
3. Aston Villa moved from Aston Park to Perry Bar in 1876. What was the profession of the man they rented Perry Bar from?
Answer: Butcher
They played at Perry Bar from 1876-1897. In 1897, they moved to their home of Villa Park.
4. In what year did Aston Villa defeat West Bromwich Albion for their first trophy, the FA Cup?
Answer: 1887
Aston Villa won by the score of 2-0. The game was played at the Kennington Oval. Archie Hunter and Dennis Hodgetts each scored a goal for the Villains.
5. In Aston Villa's first game in League competition, they played Wolverhampton Wanderers away. What was the score of the game?
Answer: 1-1 draw
Aston Villa was one of 12 teams from England that formed the Football League. It is said that when the league was formed, it was not going to be called the English League. The reason for this was because the founders planned on having teams from Wales and Scotland join the league. Eventually, teams from Wales joined.
6. What season did Aston Villa win their first league championship?
Answer: 1893-94
This first championship is said to be start of a run of championships for Aston Villa. Between the 1893-1894 season and World War I, Aston Villa won the League Championship 6 times and the FA Cup 5 times.
7. In what season did Aston Villa win The Double, the League Championship and the FA Cup?
Answer: 1896-97
This feat would not be duplicated until 1961 when Tottenham Hotspur captured the double.
8. When Aston Villa first started playing, they wore uniforms (also called kits) of various colors. In 1880, they changed to one specific type of kit. What colors were the kits?
Answer: Black with a red lion
Aston Villa wore the black with red lion kits for about 6 years. Then in 1886, a minutes program stated that the uniforms be "chocolate and sky blue shirts". Later, chocolate gave way to claret. They wore claret and sky blue for over 100 years as their main colors.
9. How long was Aston Villa's longest home unbeaten streak in the FA Cup?
Answer: 14 years for 19 matches
On Jan 7, 1888, Aston Villa lost 1-3 at home to Preston North End in the 5th Round of the 1888 FA Cup. They then played 19 games at home undefeated until they lost at home 1-2 to Stoke City aet in a 1st Round replay on Jan 29, 1902.
The first game in that run of 19 (made up of 16 wins and 3 draws) was on Feb 2nd, 1889 and the 19th game was on January 25, 1902. Their undefeated run of 19 games spanned 13 years, but there were 14 years between the two losses at home.
10. What was the last year that Aston Villa won the FA Cup at the old Wembley Stadium?
Answer: 1957
It was Villa's seventh FA Cup win: 1887, 1895, 1897, 1905, 1913, 1920, and 1957. They also won the League Cup 5 times (1961, 1975, 1977, 1994 and 1996). Apart from 1961 (when the final was played over two legs home and away) these finals were also played at the old Wembley Stadium.
Läs mer kuriosa om Aston Villa t ex här:
https://www.funtrivia.com/en/Sports/Aston-Villa-7232.html
Berömda personer som håller på Aston Villa
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gallery/aston-villa-famous-celebrity-fans-26231806
* The Prince of Darkness himself Ozzy Osbourne is a claret and blue believer
* And also Sabbath's Tony Iommi
* Their bandmate Geezer Butler is also a big fan, as his guitar shows
* Royal approval for the Villa cause comes from The Prince Of Wales. He has been to many games, even seen celebrating with John Carew and others at VP.
* Tom Hanks chose to support Aston Villa because he loved the name and the colours. He states that it is his dream to visit Villa Park.
* Simon Le Bon from Duran Duran was once thought to be a Villa fan, but his allegiances are unclear
* And his bandmate Roger Taylor
* The late UB40 legend Brian Travers was a fan of Aston Villa
* Wes Edens is the owner of Aston Villa, and now his daughter is a self-confessed Villa disciple
* One of the most die-hard celebrity Aston Villa fans is world renowned violinist Nigel Kennedy
Supportar som kanske inte så kända för svenskar:
* Magical support for Unai Emery's side comes in the shape of Birmingham actor Oliver Phelps (right) - The Harry Potter star has been a season-ticket holder from an early age.
* Veteran actor David Bradley is a huge Villa fan and has starred in promotional videos for the club. His acting credits are endless with roles in Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Broadchurch and many more.
* Gary Oldman - famous English actor ... also taking part in the Harry Potter movies.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-15618069/Harry-Potter-stars-Oliver-Phelps-Gary-Oldman-David-Bradley-enjoy-reunion-Aston-Villa-v-Chelsea-game-Tom-Felton-supported-Daniel-Radcliffes-new-Broadway-show.html
* Mrs Doyle (of Father Tedd) no less! Pauline McLynn (Irish character actress and author) is a huge Aston Villa fan.
* Ruth Jones (aka Nessa Jenkins), from Gavin & Stacey.
* David Cameron is the nephew of former Aston Villa chairman Sir William Dugdale.
* Erdington born Martin Shaw is most-famous for his roles in The Professionals and Inspector George Gently.
* Brummie Mark Williams has starred in The Fast Show and Harry Potter amongst many other TV and film roles.
* Sir Mervyn King is the former Governor Of The Bank Of England and also a big Villa fan.
* Former Redditch MP Jacqui Smith is a noted Aston Villa fanatic.
* Lee Child, author of the bestselling Jack Reacher series of books.
* High-jumper Tom Parsons is a Villa fan.
* Kris Marshall is best known for his role in the BT Family adverts and Death In Paradise. The actor had a serious accident in 2008 and suffered head injuries. He credits a letter from Villa wishing him well as aiding his recovery.
* Veteran actor Brendan Gleeson has starred in countless TV shows and films including Braveheart and Harry Potter. He is a huge football fan and supports Aston Villa.
* Ian Lavender is most famous for his role in Dad's Army as the hapless Private Pike. On the show he sported a claret and blue scarf.
* Lord Digby Jones (English businessman and politician) is a noted Aston Villa fan.
* Brum historian Carl Chinn is a an Aston Villa fan.
* Poet Benjamin Zephaniah recently starred in Birmingham based BBC drama Peaky Blinders.
* Cricketer Ian Bell is an Aston Villa fanatic.
* Aston Villa are the team of choice for Chris Woakes (English cricketer).
* Katherine Merry (English former sprinter) is a big Villa fan.
* Hockey legend Jane Sixsmith is reported to be a Villa fan.
* Floella Benjamin is a Children's TV legend. The internet also claims she is an Aston Villa fan.
* Members of Ocean Colour Scene are fans.
* Justin Rose (English professional golfer). Again, rumours on the net say he is a Villa fan.
* The claret and blue force is strong with Star Wars actor Domhnall Gleeson.
* Phil Etheridge from The Twang is a fan.
* Ritchie Neville (English singer in boyband 5ive). Yes, another musical Villa fan.
* DJ and music producer Nathan Dawe is a huge fan.
* Line Of Duty's 'H' actor Nigel Boyle is a well known supporter.
* Comedian and presenter Adil Ray can often be seen tweeting about the claret and blue.
* TV presenter Emma Willis pictured wearing a Villa shirt.
* Actor Arthur Darvill has seen plenty of drama at Villa Park.
* Dallas Cowboys NFL star Dan Bailey is a very keen Villa follower.
* Wrestler Dolph Ziggler (pictured centre), whose real name is Nicholas Nemeth, has confessed to being a Villa fan.
* Bob Stephenson, star of Fight Club, Seven and Con Air is an Aston Villa supporting actor in the States (Picture taken from Bob's Twitter account).
* The unmistakeable voice of Richardson Green, aka Redd Pepper (a Barbadian-British voice actor) can also be heard hollering support for Villa.
* Paralympian Dan Greaves is an avid supporter.
* Call The Midwife favourite Helen George once dreamed of being a football manager, thanks to her Aston Villa obsessed dad.
