🦁 OFFICIAL CLUB PROFILE: VILLA PARK, WEST MIDLANDS
Aston Villa Football Club
the Villans Elite.
Founded in 1874, Aston Villa is a cornerstone of English football history. From founding members of the Football League to Champions of Europe in 1982 — and, under Unai Emery, Europa League winners once again in 2026.
Motto: Prepared
2026/27 Squad
Aston Villa First-Team Squad
Unai Emery’s 2026/27 Villa go into the season as European champions and Champions League regulars, with captain John McGinn still the heartbeat of the side alongside Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara in midfield. Emiliano Martínez marshals a settled backline of Ezri Konsa, Matty Cash and Pau Torres, while Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers lead the line, freshly reinforced by Roma striker Donyell Malen. With a genuine trophy in the cabinet, expectation at Villa Park has never been higher.
HEAD COACH: Unai Emery
CAPTAIN: John McGinn (7)
LEADER: Emiliano Martínez (1)
Goalkeepers
1
Emiliano Martínez
Argentina
40
Marco Bizot
Netherlands
Defenders
22
Ian Maatsen
Netherlands
26
Lamare Bogarde
Netherlands
Midfielders
7
John McGinn
Scotland
CAPTAIN
8
Youri Tielemans
Belgium
44
Boubacar Kamara
France
10
Emiliano Buendía
Argentina
Forwards
—
Donyell Malen
Netherlands
Squad correct as of the early 2026/27 pre-season under head coach Unai Emery. Donyell Malen has arrived from Roma for around £21.6m, while Evann Guessand and academy forward Zépiqueno Redmond have gone out on loan. Squad numbers may change before the transfer window closes on 1 September — check back for the latest Aston Villa signings.
Est. 1874
The Pride of Birmingham
Aston Villa Football Club is a pillar of English sporting heritage. Founded in 1874, the club was a primary architect of the modern game. Under the legendary George Ramsay, Villa pioneered the “short, slick combination passing style,” and it was Villa director William McGregor who founded the world’s first Football League in 1888.
With 112 seasons in the top flight—the second highest in history—Villa has consistently defined elite competition. From the record-breaking 128-goal season of 1930–31 to the historic 1982 European Cup triumph in Rotterdam, the Claret and Blue remains one of the most decorated institutions in football. That heritage was renewed in May 2026, when Unai Emery’s side beat SC Freiburg 3-0 in Istanbul to lift the UEFA Europa League — the club’s first major trophy in three decades.
🏆 Trophy Cabinet
Key Eras
-
The Founders:
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The Resurrection: Under Unai Emery, back in the Champions League and, in 2026, European champions once more.
THE SECOND CITY DERBY • SINCE 1879
Historical Milestones
- 1888 Founding member of the world’s first Football League.
- 1897 Villa Park opens, becoming one of England’s most famous grounds.
- 1982 Champions of Europe: Defeating Bayern Munich 1-0.
- 2026 Europa League winners — 3-0 victory over Freiburg ends a 30-year trophy wait.
SECOND CITY DERBY DOMINANCE
Club Identity
The Villa Way
Built on heritage and high-intensity football, the club maintains a tradition of elite scouting, tactical discipline and, under Emery, a knack for peaking in Europe’s second-tier competition.
Stadium: Villa Park (43,205, temporarily ~37,000 in 2026/27)
Historic Records
Legacy of Greatness
One of only six English clubs to have won the European Cup, now with a Europa League to match — plus seven top-flight titles and seven FA Cups.
Record Scorer: Billy Walker (244)
Current Era
The Emery Era
Under Unai Emery, Villa have gone from Champions League returnees to European champions, with a fourth-place Premier League finish and a fifth Europa League crown for their manager.
Captain: John McGinn
2025/26 Season Review
Emery’s Masterclass
Villa’s 2025/26 campaign will be remembered as the finest of the Emery era. A dismal start — winless in their first five league games — gave way to a 128-year record-equalling run of 11 straight wins across all competitions, keeping them in title contention deep into the season before injuries to Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans and John McGinn took their toll. Domestically, that meant a fourth-place finish, sealed in style with a 2-1 win at Manchester City just days after the biggest night of all.
In Istanbul, Villa beat SC Freiburg 3-0 to win the UEFA Europa League, ending a 30-year wait for a major trophy and handing Unai Emery a record-extending fifth Europa League title as a manager — a feat matched in major European finals only by Giovanni Trapattoni. John McGinn’s brace against Nottingham Forest in the semi-final helped send Villa to Istanbul, capping a season in which the captain again proved indispensable.
4th
Premier League Finish
11
Straight Wins (Club Record)
Players to Watch 2026/27
Key Men at Villa Park
These are the Aston Villa stars who will decide whether the European champions can back it up on two fronts — the names to track in every fixture preview, fantasy draft and Villa betting market this campaign.
John McGinn
Midfield · Captain
From Championship playoffs to lifting a European trophy, McGinn embodies Villa’s rise. His goals in the biggest moments — including the Europa League semi-final — make him the squad’s talisman as much as its leader.
Morgan Rogers
Forward · The Creator
Villa’s most creative outlet last season, leading the squad in chances created and big chances created. Rogers’ blend of dribbling and end product makes him central to how Emery wants to break Teams down.
Ollie Watkins
Striker · The Focal Point
Villa’s leading Premier League scorer again in 2025/26, Watkins’ movement and finishing remain non-negotiable up top, even with Donyell Malen now pushing him for a starting place.
Youri Tielemans
Midfield · The Metronome
Emery’s most consistent performer last season, Tielemans’ passing range and defensive screening give Villa control in games — a role that becomes even more important with a Champions League campaign to manage.
Donyell Malen
Forward · The New Arrival
Signed from Roma to add pace and a second reliable goal source, the Netherlands international gives Emery a genuine alternative to Watkins and more rotation options for a season on multiple fronts.
Emiliano Martínez
Goalkeeper · Dibu
One of the club’s key leaders and a World Cup winner, Martínez remains a commanding presence between the posts, even amid periodic transfer speculation linking him with a move abroad.
Villa Park & The Holte End
A Ground Under Construction
Villa have played at Villa Park since 1897, one of English football’s most storied grounds and a fixture on the FA Cup semi-final rota for over a century. The stadium currently holds 43,205, but the iconic North Stand will close for the entirety of the 2026/27 season as part of a major redevelopment — temporarily reducing capacity to around 37,000 while more than 5,500 new seats are added.
Once complete ahead of the 2027/28 season, Villa Park’s capacity will rise to over 50,000, positioning it among the Premier League’s biggest grounds and readying it to host matches at UEFA Euro 2028. Executive chairman Nassef Sawiris has called the project a “milestone in the club’s journey to becoming a world-class sports and entertainment venue” as V Sports continues to invest in Villa’s long-term growth.
The Second City derby against Birmingham City, contested since 1879, remains the fixture Villa fans mark first whenever the two clubs share a division. From the Holte End’s noise to the scenes in Istanbul in May 2026, Villa Park continues to be the stage for the club’s proudest nights.
Premier League & Europe 2026/27 Outlook
From Underdogs to Genuine Contenders
Unai Emery no longer manages a plucky top-four hopeful — he manages the reigning Europa League champions, back in the Champions League league phase and already through to the UEFA Super Cup final. Donyell Malen’s arrival adds firepower to a squad that largely stayed together after its historic season, with McGinn, Tielemans, Kamara and Watkins all still leading the way and academy graduate Lamare Bogarde continuing to develop.
The challenge now shifts from proving Villa belong to proving they can sustain it — balancing a genuine Champions League push with a top-four Premier League fight, all while the North Stand closure trims Villa Park’s home advantage for a season. Few would bet against Emery, whose Europa League pedigree is unmatched in the modern game, but replicating a 30-year first is never straightforward.
Our Ai Prediction engine will cover every Aston Villa fixture, result and betting angle across the 2026/27 Premier League and Champions League seasons — from Emery’s title defence to the Second City derby. For weekly data-backed Villa predictions and tips on all 20 clubs, follow our Premier League predictions hub and the full team profiles index.
Aston Villa FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Aston Villa manager?
Unai Emery, in charge since November 2022. He led Villa to a fourth-place Premier League finish and the 2026 Europa League title, his fifth Europa League win as a manager.
Who is the Aston Villa captain?
Scotland midfielder John McGinn is the club captain, having held the armband since 2022/23 and led the side to Europa League glory in Istanbul.
When did Aston Villa last win a trophy?
Villa won the 2026 UEFA Europa League, beating SC Freiburg 3-0 in Istanbul — their first major trophy in 30 years and second European title after the 1982 European Cup.
Who owns Aston Villa?
Aston Villa are owned by V Sports, led by Nassef Sawiris, Wes Edens and Atairos, with Sawiris serving as executive chairman.
Who is Aston Villa’s record goalscorer?
Billy Walker is Villa’s all-time record scorer with 244 goals, a tally set across the 1920s that remains the club’s benchmark nearly a century on.
What is Aston Villa’s stadium called?
Villa play at Villa Park, their home since 1897, currently being redeveloped to raise capacity from 43,205 to over 50,000 ahead of UEFA Euro 2028.
From Istanbul glory to the Second City derby, every Aston Villa match is analysed by our AI engine across the 2026/27 season. Head to AI Pro Predictions for the sharpest soccer predictions online, covering the Premier League, Champions League and World Cup 2026 — and bookmark this page for the latest Aston Villa squad news, stats and betting angles.
Official 2025/26 Roster
First Team Squad Depth
Managed by Unai Emery | Captain: John McGinn
Goalkeepers
23. Emiliano Martínez 🇦🇷
40. Marco Bizot 🇳🇱
Robin Olsen 🇸🇪
Defenders
14. Pau Torres 🇪🇸
4. Ezri Konsa (VC)
3. Victor Lindelöf 🇸🇪
22. Ian Maatsen 🇳🇱
2. Matty Cash 🇵🇱
12. Lucas Digne 🇫🇷
5. Tyrone Mings 🏴
Midfielders
7. John McGinn (C)
21. Douglas Luiz (LOAN)
24. Amadou Onana 🇧🇪
8. Youri Tielemans 🇧🇪
9. Harvey Elliott (LOAN)
27. Morgan Rogers 🏴
44. Boubacar Kamara 🇫🇷
Forwards
11. Ollie Watkins 🏴
18. Tammy Abraham 🏴
19. Jadon Sancho (LOAN)
31. Leon Bailey 🇯🇲
10. Emi Buendía 🇦🇷
Notable Loans Out:
Donyell Malen (Roma), Evann Guessand (Crystal Palace), Samuel Iling-Junior (Pisa), Enzo Barrenechea (Benfica)
The Iconic Grounds
Villa Park: A Cathedral of Football
Since 1897, Villa Park has stood as one of the most famous and atmospheric stadiums in world football. Nestled in the heart of Birmingham, it is a UEFA Category 4 stadium that has hosted more FA Cup Semi-Finals than any other ground in England.
Known for its grand red-brick facade and the intimidating atmosphere of the Holte End, Villa Park blends Victorian heritage with modern elite facilities. It remains a fortress for the club and a central hub for the West Midlands community.
Stand Breakdown
The Holte End (South)
13,472
Trinity Road Stand (West)
12,942
Doug Ellis Stand (East)
9,086
Future Expansion
Phased redevelopment of the North Stand is planned to increase total capacity to over 50,000 for the UEFA Euro 2028 tournament.
The Architects of Success
Legendary Leadership
From the world’s first professional manager to the elite tactical masters of the modern Premier League era.
The Founding Era (1884–1926)
George Ramsay
The world’s first professional manager. Ramsay’s 42-year tenure established Villa as a global powerhouse, introducing the “passing game” and securing 6 League Titles and 6 FA Cups.
12 Major Trophies
The Golden Era (1974–1982)
Ron Saunders
The man who brought the First Division title back to Villa Park in 1981. His disciplined approach laid the groundwork for the 1982 European Cup victory, immortalizing his name in club folklore.
League Champion ’81
The Modern Era (2022–Present)
Unai Emery
The mastermind behind Villa’s return to the UEFA Champions League. Under his leadership, the club has achieved record home win streaks and transformed into a tactically elite European contender.
Local Dominance
Rivalries & Derbies
The battle for the West Midlands—a history of passion, geography, and fierce competition.
The Second City Derby
http://googleusercontent.com/map_location_reference/1
The primary rivalry is with Birmingham City, centered at [St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park](http://googleusercontent.com/map_location_reference/0). First played in 1879, it is one of the oldest and most intense derbies in English football history.
- • Most wins in the fixture (Villa)
- • Deep-rooted cultural and geographical divide
- • Historic dominance in cup competitions
The West Midlands Derby
http://googleusercontent.com/map_location_reference/3
Matches against West Bromwich Albion, hosted at [The Hawthorns](http://googleusercontent.com/map_location_reference/2), represent a historic regional clash between two founding members of the Football League.
- • Traditional “friendly” but competitive edge
- • Frequent high-stakes Premier League meetings
- • Battles for regional recruitment and bragging rights
Club Milestones
Records & Statistics
Most Appearances
635
Charlie Aitken
Top Scorer
244
Billy Walker
Most Top Flight Goals
128
Season 1930/31
Top Flight Seasons
112
All-Time Ranking: 2nd
Trophy Cabinet
Official Honours
From the Victorian pioneers of the 1890s to the 1982 European Stars on the Birmingham Walk of Fame.
🌍 European Honours
- Champions: European Cup (1982), European Super Cup (1982), UEFA Intertoto Cup (2001)
- Notable: Intertoto Cup Co-winners & Joint Runners-up (2008)
🏆 League Titles
- Lvl 1 Champions (7): 1893–94, 1895–96, 1896–97, 1898–99, 1899–1900, 1909–10, 1980–81
- Lvl 1 Runners-up (10): Incl. 1930–31 (Record 128 Goals), 1992–93 (PL Founding Season)
- Lvl 2 Champions: 1937–38, 1959–60 (Play-off Winners 2019)
- Lvl 3 Champions: 1971–72
🥈 Cup Honours
- FA Cup (7): 1886–87, 1894–95, 1896–97, 1904–05, 1912–13, 1919–20, 1956–57
- League Cup (5): 1960–61, 1974–75, 1976–77, 1993–94, 1995–96
- Other: FA Charity Shield (1981), Sheriff of London Charity Shield (1899, 1901)
Most Recent Major Honour: 1996 League Cup Winner | Latest European Honour: 2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup
