THE RISE: FOUNDING FATHERS TO EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS
Founded in March 1874 by a group of cricketers from Aston Villa Cross Wesleyan Chapel in Birmingham, the club was born out of a desire to stay active during the winter months. What started as a recreational pastime would grow into one of the most influential forces in English football history.
The Early Dominance (1880s–1910s)
Aston Villa was at the forefront of the sport’s professionalization. In 1888, they were one of twelve founding members of the Football League – the world’s first national football competition. Under the leadership of George Ramsay, appointed in 1884 as the game’s first-ever professional manager, Villa established themselves as a powerhouse. Between 1893 and 1910, they claimed six First Division titles and six FA Cups, including three league titles in four years (1896–1897, 1898–1899, 1900–1901). The club’s iconic Villa Park stadium, opened in 1897, became a symbol of their ambition, with a capacity that would grow to over 70,000 at its peak.
Villa’s influence extended beyond the pitch. Club officials played key roles in shaping the modern game – they were instrumental in the formation of the Football Association’s international committee and helped establish the structure of English football that endures today. Players like Billy Garraty, Harry Hampton, and Clem Stephenson became household names, setting standards for skill and sportsmanship.
Post-War Stability and European Glory (1940s–1980s)
After the disruptions of two World Wars, Villa rebuilt and returned to the top flight in 1959. The 1960s brought another FA Cup triumph in 1961, but it was the late 1970s and early 1980s that marked the club’s second golden age. Under manager Ron Saunders, Villa won the First Division title in 1980–81 – their first league crown in 71 years.
When Saunders resigned halfway through the 1981–82 season, his assistant Tony Barton stepped up, and what followed was the greatest moment in Villa’s history. In the European Cup final in Rotterdam, they faced German giants Bayern Munich. A single goal from Peter Withe in the 67th minute secured a 1–0 victory, making Aston Villa only the fourth English club to lift European football’s most prestigious trophy. They would go on to win the European Super Cup later that year, defeating Barcelona 3–1 on aggregate.
In 1992, Villa were founding members of the Premier League and finished as runners-up in the inaugural season under manager Ron Atkinson, cementing their status as one of England’s top clubs.
THE COLLAPSE: FROM ELITE TO EDGE OF EXTINCTION
The seeds of Villa’s decline were sown in the years following their European success. While other top clubs embraced commercialization and investment, Villa struggled to keep pace.
Gradual Decline (1990s–2015)
After their strong start to the Premier League era, inconsistent management and limited financial backing saw Villa’s position slip. They remained a top-flight club but failed to challenge for major honors, with their last significant trophy being the League Cup in 1996. The 2000s brought periods of promise – under Martin O’Neill, they qualified for the UEFA Cup three times in four years and finished sixth in the Premier League twice – but ownership changes and financial constraints prevented sustained progress.
In 2010, American businessman Randy Lerner, who had initially brought hope of investment, began to scale back his involvement. The club’s transfer budget was cut, key players were sold, and a series of managerial changes led to on-pitch decline. In 2016, after 28 consecutive years in the top flight, Aston Villa were relegated to the Championship following a 1–0 defeat to Manchester United on the final day of the season.
The Darkest Days (2016–2018)
Relegation triggered a downward spiral. The club was burdened with significant debt, estimated at over £100 million, and faced mounting financial pressures. A disastrous first season in the Championship saw them finish 13th, and the following year, they reached the play-off final at Wembley – only to lose 1–0 to Fulham in heartbreaking fashion.
By the summer of 2018, Villa was on the brink of collapse. The club was facing a winding-up petition over unpaid taxes, training ground facilities were outdated, and there were fears that one of English football’s most historic names could disappear entirely. Fans protested against the ownership, and the future looked bleaker than ever.
THE REBIRTH: FROM RUINS TO RENAISSANCE
In July 2018, a last-minute takeover by Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris and American investor Wes Edens saved Aston Villa from financial ruin. Their £50 million investment cleared the club’s debts and provided the foundation for a dramatic revival.
Return to the Premier League
The new owners appointed Christian Purslow as CEO and brought in Dean Smith – a lifelong Villa fan and former player – as manager. Smith, alongside sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch, rebuilt the squad with smart signings and promoted talented young players from the club’s renowned academy, including Jack Grealish, who would become the face of the new Villa.
In the 2018–19 season, Villa finished fifth in the Championship and secured promotion back to the Premier League with a thrilling 2–1 victory over Derby County in the play-off final. Grealish’s late winning goal sparked scenes of celebration that marked the club’s official return from the brink.
Establishment and Ambition
Back in the top flight, Villa secured survival in their first season and began to build for the future. In 2021, the club made a bold move by appointing Unai Emery as manager – the former Arsenal and Sevilla boss with a proven track record in European competition.
Under Emery’s leadership, Villa has undergone a remarkable transformation. The team’s playing style became more dynamic and attacking, and smart investments in players like Emiliano Martinez, Ollie Watkins, and Pau Torres turned them into genuine contenders. In the 2023–24 season, Villa finished fourth in the Premier League, qualifying for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the competition’s modern era. The following season, they reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, defeating defending champions Manchester City along the way.
Off the pitch, Villa Park has undergone extensive renovations, with plans to expand capacity to over 60,000. The club’s academy has been redeveloped, and they have invested heavily in women’s football, with Aston Villa Women establishing themselves in the Women’s Super League.
The story of Aston Villa’s rise, collapse, and rebirth is chronicled in detail in Waking the Giant: Inside the Rebirth of Aston Villa (2025) by Gregg Evans and Matt Maher, which features exclusive interviews with owners, managers, players, and staff, as well as behind-the-scenes access to the club’s most pivotal moments.
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