Aston Villa doesn't shout. It references. Founded in 1874, it was in the room when both the Football League and the Premier League were drawn up — and it has spent more seasons in England's top flight than almost anyone. This is the fan-edition corner: not a club shop, just the claret-and-blue story, the European Cup, and the kit worth wearing. Dates and honours sourced, not guessed.
Who Birmingham Are
One of the founders — twice
Aston Villa were a founding member of both the Football League (1888) and the Premier League (1992). Very few clubs can say they helped start the competition they still play in, and Villa have spent more seasons in England's top flight than almost any other club.
Kings of the game's first century
Before the First World War, Villa won the First Division seven times and the FA Cup seven times. Four of those league titles came in the 1890s alone — a dominance so complete that the club defined what English football looked like for a generation.
1982: kings of Europe
Under Tony Barton, Villa beat Bayern Munich 1-0 in the European Cup final in Rotterdam — Peter Withe's goal made them just the fourth English club to lift the trophy. For a club that had been written off, it remains the night the whole modern history pivots on.
Emery rebuilt the European side
Unai Emery turned Villa back into a Champions League side, and in 2025-26 they went one further: a 3-0 win over Freiburg in the UEFA Europa League final in Istanbul ended a 30-year trophy wait and put the club back among Europe's regulars.
The Second City derby
Villa's fiercest rivalry is with Birmingham City — the Second City derby, contested since 1879 and still one of English football's rawest fixtures. It isn't the biggest derby by TV numbers; it's the one that actually means something in the city.
Birmingham at a Glance
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1874 |
| Ground | Villa Park, Birmingham — around 42,800 seats |
| Colours | Claret shirts, sky-blue sleeves, white shorts |
| Nicknames | The Villans · The Villa · The Lions |
| Honours | 7 league titles · 7 FA Cups · 5 League Cups · 1 European Cup (1982) |
| Rivalry | Birmingham City — the Second City derby, played since 1879. |
Shop the Edit — Birmingham 2026/27 Jerseys
Fan-edition and replica cuts, shipped worldwide. Every shirt below is a real, current release — tap a card to view sizes and checkout.
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FAQ: Birmingham Quick Answers
Where do Aston Villa play?
Villa Park in Birmingham, home of the club since 1897 and one of the great old grounds of English football.
What are Aston Villa's colours?
Claret shirts with sky-blue sleeves and white shorts — the famous claret-and-blue.
Did Aston Villa win the European Cup?
Yes, in 1982, beating Bayern Munich 1-0 in Rotterdam.
Who is Aston Villa's manager?
Unai Emery, who took Villa back into the Champions League and won the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League.
What is Aston Villa's biggest rivalry?
Birmingham City — the Second City derby.
Which Villa shirts are available here?
The 2025/26 and 2026/27 home, away and third shirts, plus player editions. See the Shop the Edit above.
Sourced facts, no embellishment — because the story of a club this old doesn't need it. — Pro Sports Kit, autumn 2026