Aston Villa Football Club was founded in Birmingham in 1874 and is one of the oldest and most traditional clubs in England. The club plays its home games at Villa Park, a classic stadium with a rich history and a capacity of over 42,000. Aston Villa was a founding member of the English Football League in 1888 and enjoyed great success in its early years, winning several league titles and FA Cups. The highlight came in 1982, when the club won the European Cup I (the forerunner of the Champions League).

Although Villa has experienced periods of decline, it remains a club with a great reputation and a loyal following. The colours of claret and blue are inextricably linked to the club’s identity, as is the rivalry with fellow city residents Birmingham City.

Birmingham, England’s second city, has a strong industrial heritage and a diverse population. Aston Villa is deeply embedded in the city and its people. For many Brummies the club is a source of pride and tradition, and Villa Park a place of memories and hope for the future.