Aston Villa: triumphs, downfalls and greatness

Aston Villa is a professional English football club founded in 1874. Birmingham has given the world a lot, but Villa is its pride. A team that survived wars, economic crises, changes of eras, but did not break. She changed, she fell, she returned. And she got up again.

Trophies? There are enough of them. Seven Premier League titles. Six FA Cups. Five League Cups. 1982 is the height of glory, when the European Champions Cup ended up in the hands of Villa. But do titles alone define greatness? Absolutely not.

\n
\"True strength is loyalty. Fans don't just support a club - they live it. They haven't been broken by setbacks, haven't been made to doubt by difficult seasons. They're here. They've always been here. They'll be here.\"
\n

\n","sporting_achievements_html":"

Aston Villa: the story from the idea to the first victories

In 1874 four members of a cricket club from a Methodist church in the Aston area decided to try a new game, football. At that time, the sport was still quite \"raw\", without uniform rules, but it quickly captivated people.

Thus was born a team that would later become a legend. It was named \"Aston Villa\" - after the name of the district and with reference to the place of its foundation.

At first, the boys trained on wastelands and played with other amateur clubs. There was no uniform, no funding, just enthusiasm and passion for the game. It was an era when football was not a business, but a sincere passion.

A few years later, \"Villa\" began to participate in tournaments. In 1887, the team won its first major trophy — the FA Cup. This was a turning point. From a modest club, they turned into a serious player on the football map of England.

\n
It is interesting that \"Aston Villa\" was among the founders of the English Football League in 1888 - this emphasizes its influence from the very beginning of the development of professional football in the country.
\n

The team quickly gained respect: they played hard, organized, with character.

\n","club_identity_html":"

Aston Villa Stadium

The heart of the club is Aston Villa Stadium, which is called Villa Park. Since 1897 he has witnessed all the dramas and triumphs. This is not just an arena. This is the place where legends are born, where 42,000 fans create a unique atmosphere.

The stadium survived two world wars, numerous reconstructions and modernizations, but kept its unique soul and traditions.

\n","current_status_and_future_html":"

Aston Villa Achievements

Champion of England – 1894, 1896, 1897, 1899, 1900, 1910, 1981. Triumphs that confirmed the status of the club among the elite.
FA Cup – 1887, 1895, 1897, 1905, 1913, 1920, 1957. Victories won in tense finals where the future was decided.
European Champions Cup – 1982. One year, one team, one top. \"Aston Villa\" did what only the chosen can do.
English League Cup – 1961, 1975, 1977, 1994, 1996. A tournament that tests the strength of the team. It is won by those who do not give up.

\n
\"Each trophy is not just an award, but proof that the club's path is measured not by years, but by great moments.\"
\n

Aston Villa famous players

Paul McGrath. An impenetrable wall. His game did not give chances even to the best attackers. He had no weaknesses, only strength and coolness.
\n
Dwight York. A player who saw the field differently. His style was unexpected, his movements unpredictable. He made opposing defenses look confused.
\n
Gareth Barry. The record holder who did not just go on the field, but lived every match. He was always where he was most needed.
\n
Jack Grealish. The new face of the club, a symbol of renewal. He plays as if \"Villa\" is a part of himself.
\n

Names that have become more than just a part of history. They defined a generation, changed the course of events, laid the foundation for the future.

Aston Villa: interesting facts

Aston Villa is one of the founding clubs of the Premier League in 1992. Her influence on English football is fundamental. Not just a participant, but a creator of history.
\n
This is the first club in England whose matches have attracted more than 100,000 spectators. Not a game - an event. A symbol is not a command. The atmosphere that fills the stadium was born here long before modern football.
\n
The final of the European Champions Cup? Not a single missed ball. Defense has turned into an art, every moment is a test for the opponents.
\n

\n
\"It was a game to remember for generations. A moment when Aston Villa proved that dreams can become reality.\"
\n

It is worth noting that Aston Villa continues to write its history, balancing between tradition and the modern challenges of the football world. Will the club be able to return to its former glory? The football community is eagerly watching this journey.

\n","logo":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/461_e657905686.png","mime":"image/png","caption":null,"formats":{"large_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_avif_461_e657905686.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"large_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_webp_461_e657905686.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"small_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_avif_461_e657905686.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"small_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_webp_461_e657905686.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"medium_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_avif_461_e657905686.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"medium_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_webp_461_e657905686.webp","mime":"image/webp"}}}}},"league":{"id":565,"name":"Premier League","gender":"male","type":"club","format":"domestic_league","createdAt":"2024-11-04T12:39:49.701Z","updatedAt":"2025-08-10T16:54:32.180Z","stb_id":"premier-league","position":null,"locale":"en","description":"## Premier League: history, players, records\n\n**English Premier League (EPL)** — **the highest football division of England**. To stay in the elite, every season **20 clubs** fight.\n\n**EPL football** was founded in **1992**. She gave birth to **a new era of English football**. The format is simple: **38 matches**, where each opponent is a test. The one who lasts the distance wins.\n\n> \"The Premier League is not just a championship, it is a global phenomenon that has changed the perception of football as a spectacle.\"\n\n### EPL history: how it became a global brand\n\n**1992–1995: the first stage** – **APL creation**, formation.\n\nThe league started with **22 clubs**. The main bet is **television contracts**, which immediately made it financially independent from the rest of English football. **Money began to attract** quality players, and the level of play began to rise.\n\n**1995: Reduction to 20 teams.**\n\nTo improve the quality of the championship and adapt to the international calendar, **the number of clubs has been reduced**.\n\n**2000s: APL development.**\n\n**EPL opens itself to the world.** Rapid growth of income from **international broadcast rights**, active involvement of investors, expansion of audience in **Asia, USA, Middle East** - English clubs are becoming not just teams, but **global corporations**.\n\n**2010s: the era of the tactical revolution.**\n\nThe Premier League is no longer a purely physical league. The arrival of **new generation coaches** – **Guardiola, Klopp, Pochettino, Conte** – changes the style of the game, making it **technical, dynamic, intellectual**.\n\n**2020s: financial power** that has no analogues.\n\n> \"Broadcasting contracts are growing to record sums, even middle-class clubs can afford the transfers that the giants of other European leagues dream about.\"\n\n## Premier League system\n\nIt is built so that **every match counts**.\n\n* **20 teams** is the optimal number that guarantees high competition and spectacle.\n* **38 rounds** – each club plays two matches with each opponent: one at home, one away.\n* **380 matches per season** – each match can change the course of the season.\n\n> \"In this championship, even a draw can be fatal for championship ambitions.\"\n\n**Playoffs?** None. There are no accidental champions here. The winner is the one who **is consistently stronger at the distance** in nine months.\n\n**How is the winner determined?** The logic of the championship is simple, but **ruthless**:\n\n* **Victory** – 3 points.\n* **Die** – 1 point.\n* **Defeat** – 0 points.\n\n**If** two **EPL teams** have the same number of points, the champion is determined according to the following criteria:\n1. **Difference between scored and conceded goals.**\n2. **Goals scored.**\n3. **Statistics of face-to-face meetings** between teams.\n\n### Cult teams and legendary players\n\n**EPL** is not just a championship. This is a **legend generator**. Teams that made history and players that changed football itself.\n\n* **\"Manchester United\"** (Ferguson era). The club that dominated the 90s and 2000s. **13 Premier League titles**, incredible comebacks, the era of **Beckham, King, Giggs, Ronaldo**.\n\n* **\"Arsenal\" of the invincible** (2003/04). **Arsene Wenger**'s team that went through the season **without a single defeat**. **Henri, Bergkamp, Vieira** are symbols of perfect football.\n\n* **\"Chelsea\" Mourinho**. The revolution of 2004: defensive tactics, incredible physics, the dominance of **Drogba, Lampard, Terry**.\n\n* **\"Manchester City\" of the Guardiola era**. The most technical team in the league, which broke all possible records in England.\n\n* **Klopp's Liverpool**. Football chaos that has become a perfect system. Triumph in the **Champions League** and the long-awaited **EPL** title after **30 years of waiting**.\n\n## Eurocups: access to the football elite\n\nThe championship is not only a fight for the title, but also a **chance to play on the world stage**.\n\n* **Top-4** – a ticket to the **Champions League**. This is the main goal for the clubs, because here is the biggest money, the best opponents, the maximum prestige.\n\n* **5th place** – entry into the **Europa League**. For many teams, this is also a great chance to declare themselves at the international level.\n\n* **6th or 7th place** – **Conference League**. A new tournament that opens the way to Europe even for middle-class teams.\n\n### Players who left their mark in the statistics of the Premier League\n\n> \"Titles are won by teams, but records are set by individuals.\"\n\n* **Best scorer in history:** **Alan Shearer** – **260 goals**. No one scored more. His record has been standing for several decades.\n\n* **Most goals in a season:** **Erling Holland** – **36 (2022/23)**. It's not just a number, it's proof that the game continues to evolve.\n\n* **The most matches in the Premier League:** **Gareth Barry** – **653 matches**. The game changes, players come and go, but real fighters endure years on the field.\n\n* **Most assists:** **Ryan Giggs** – **162 assists**. A legend who created goals for an entire era of football.\n\n## Famous teams of the English Premier League: clubs that shaped history\n\n**\"Manchester United\".**\n\n**13 titles.** No club in the EPL era has surpassed this record. They ruled while others were just trying to catch up.\n\n> \"1999 is a moment of absolute triumph. Treble. Premier League. FA Cup. Champions League.\"\n\n**Ferguson** is the architect of the dynasty. He created a car that didn't just win - it destroyed rivals.\n\n**Legends:** **Cristiano Ronaldo. Eric Cantona. Wayne Rooney. Paul Scholes. Ryan Giggs.** Each of them left their mark.\n\n**Main rivalry:** **\"Liverpool\"** - a war that has been going on for decades.\n\n**\"Arsenal\".**\n\n**2003/04. 38 matches. Zero defeats.** They didn't just win the league, they rewrote it.\n\n**Legends:** **Thierry Henry. Patrick Vieira. Denis Bergkamp.** Masters who created magic on the field.\n\n**\"Chelsea\": the club that overturned the rules of the game.**\n\nThe first English team to win the Champions League twice (**2012, 2021**).\n\n**Legends:** **Frank Lampard. Didier Drogba. John Terry.** The backbone of a team that knew no fear.\n\n**Main rivalry:** **\"Liverpool\"** - a battle that repeats itself in the finals time and time again.\n\n**\"Manchester City\": the absolute dominance of the new era.**\n\n**Pep Guardiola** came - and destroyed the old order. His **\"City\"** is **total control, maximum speed, perfect tactics**.\n\n> \"Five titles in the last six seasons. Dominance unprecedented in recent Premier League history.\"\n\n**Legends:** **Sergio Aguero. David Silva. Kevin De Bruyne.** Names that define an era.\n\n**The main rivalry:** **\"Manchester United\"** – the battle for the city, which turned into a fight for England.\n\n**\"Liverpool\": the revival of the legend.**\n\n**Juergen Klopp** came – and returned **\"Liverpool\"** to the top.\n\n**EPL title in 2020. Triumph in the Champions League in 2019.** These are not just victories. This is the return of the heir to the throne.\n\n**Legends:** **Steven Gerrard. Mohamed Salah. Virgil van Dijk.** Leaders who changed the course of history.\n\n### The current state of the Premier League: a new era of competition\n\nA league that dominates football has no right to stagnate. Today **EPL** is a championship that:\n\n* **Has the strongest lineup of teams.** All 20 clubs can win matches, and even the underdogs are capable of stopping the giants.\n\n* **Financially superior to all other leagues.** Even mid-level clubs buy stars available only to giants in other leagues.\n\n* **Attracts the best coaches in the world.** **Guardiola, Klopp, Arteta, Postecoglou** are not just coaches, but architects of the future of football.\n\n* **Is the most watched tournament in the world.** No other championship has such an audience as the **EPL**.\n\n### Interesting facts\n\n> \"Football is not just about goals and trophies. It's stories that leave a mark on the fans' memories.\"\n\n* **The fastest goal in the history of the Premier League:** **7.69 seconds** – **Shane Long** (Southampton). The game had not yet started, and the opponent was already knocked down.\n\n* **The coach who won the most:** **Alex Ferguson** – **13 titles**. Domination that no one can repeat.\n\n* **Most suspensions:** **Duncan Ferguson and Patrick Vieira** – **8 red cards**. Two warriors who never retreated.\n\n> \"The Premier League continues to evolve, setting new standards for world football. It's not just a league, it's the future of sports.\"\n\n**It is worth noting** that the **English Premier League** remains the standard of modern football, combining **tradition, innovation and global influence**. Will other leagues catch up with **EPL**? Time will tell, but today she definitely rules the football world.","active":true,"short_code":"UK PL","category":1,"top_position":null,"stb_internal_id":"0192f730-4812-79f7-814f-a5337adffb1f","overrides":null,"has_article_relations":false,"has_social_media_relations":true,"inactive":null,"description_html":"

Premier League: history, players, records

English Premier League (EPL) — the highest football division of England. To stay in the elite, every season 20 clubs fight.

EPL football was founded in 1992. She gave birth to a new era of English football. The format is simple: 38 matches, where each opponent is a test. The one who lasts the distance wins.

\n
\"The Premier League is not just a championship, it is a global phenomenon that has changed the perception of football as a spectacle.\"
\n

EPL history: how it became a global brand

1992–1995: the first stage – APL creation, formation.

The league started with 22 clubs. The main bet is television contracts, which immediately made it financially independent from the rest of English football. Money began to attract quality players, and the level of play began to rise.

1995: Reduction to 20 teams.

To improve the quality of the championship and adapt to the international calendar, the number of clubs has been reduced.

2000s: APL development.

EPL opens itself to the world. Rapid growth of income from international broadcast rights, active involvement of investors, expansion of audience in Asia, USA, Middle East - English clubs are becoming not just teams, but global corporations.

2010s: the era of the tactical revolution.

The Premier League is no longer a purely physical league. The arrival of new generation coaches – Guardiola, Klopp, Pochettino, Conte – changes the style of the game, making it technical, dynamic, intellectual.

2020s: financial power that has no analogues.

\n
\"Broadcasting contracts are growing to record sums, even middle-class clubs can afford the transfers that the giants of other European leagues dream about.\"
\n

Premier League system

It is built so that every match counts.

20 teams is the optimal number that guarantees high competition and spectacle.
38 rounds – each club plays two matches with each opponent: one at home, one away.
380 matches per season – each match can change the course of the season.

\n
\"In this championship, even a draw can be fatal for championship ambitions.\"
\n

Playoffs? None. There are no accidental champions here. The winner is the one who is consistently stronger at the distance in nine months.

How is the winner determined? The logic of the championship is simple, but ruthless:

Victory – 3 points.
Die – 1 point.
Defeat – 0 points.

If two EPL teams have the same number of points, the champion is determined according to the following criteria:

Difference between scored and conceded goals.
Goals scored.
Statistics of face-to-face meetings between teams.

Cult teams and legendary players

EPL is not just a championship. This is a legend generator. Teams that made history and players that changed football itself.

\"Manchester United\" (Ferguson era). The club that dominated the 90s and 2000s. 13 Premier League titles, incredible comebacks, the era of Beckham, King, Giggs, Ronaldo.
\n
\"Arsenal\" of the invincible (2003/04). Arsene Wenger's team that went through the season without a single defeat. Henri, Bergkamp, Vieira are symbols of perfect football.
\n
\"Chelsea\" Mourinho. The revolution of 2004: defensive tactics, incredible physics, the dominance of Drogba, Lampard, Terry.
\n
\"Manchester City\" of the Guardiola era. The most technical team in the league, which broke all possible records in England.
\n
Klopp's Liverpool. Football chaos that has become a perfect system. Triumph in the Champions League and the long-awaited EPL title after 30 years of waiting.
\n

Eurocups: access to the football elite

The championship is not only a fight for the title, but also a chance to play on the world stage.

Top-4 – a ticket to the Champions League. This is the main goal for the clubs, because here is the biggest money, the best opponents, the maximum prestige.
\n
5th place – entry into the Europa League. For many teams, this is also a great chance to declare themselves at the international level.
\n
6th or 7th place – Conference League. A new tournament that opens the way to Europe even for middle-class teams.
\n

Players who left their mark in the statistics of the Premier League

\n
\"Titles are won by teams, but records are set by individuals.\"
\n

Best scorer in history: Alan Shearer – 260 goals. No one scored more. His record has been standing for several decades.
\n
Most goals in a season: Erling Holland – 36 (2022/23). It's not just a number, it's proof that the game continues to evolve.
\n
The most matches in the Premier League: Gareth Barry – 653 matches. The game changes, players come and go, but real fighters endure years on the field.
\n
Most assists: Ryan Giggs – 162 assists. A legend who created goals for an entire era of football.
\n

Famous teams of the English Premier League: clubs that shaped history

\"Manchester United\".

13 titles. No club in the EPL era has surpassed this record. They ruled while others were just trying to catch up.

\n
\"1999 is a moment of absolute triumph. Treble. Premier League. FA Cup. Champions League.\"
\n

Ferguson is the architect of the dynasty. He created a car that didn't just win - it destroyed rivals.

Legends: Cristiano Ronaldo. Eric Cantona. Wayne Rooney. Paul Scholes. Ryan Giggs. Each of them left their mark.

Main rivalry: \"Liverpool\" - a war that has been going on for decades.

\"Arsenal\".

2003/04. 38 matches. Zero defeats. They didn't just win the league, they rewrote it.

Legends: Thierry Henry. Patrick Vieira. Denis Bergkamp. Masters who created magic on the field.

\"Chelsea\": the club that overturned the rules of the game.

The first English team to win the Champions League twice (2012, 2021).

Legends: Frank Lampard. Didier Drogba. John Terry. The backbone of a team that knew no fear.

Main rivalry: \"Liverpool\" - a battle that repeats itself in the finals time and time again.

\"Manchester City\": the absolute dominance of the new era.

Pep Guardiola came - and destroyed the old order. His \"City\" is total control, maximum speed, perfect tactics.

\n
\"Five titles in the last six seasons. Dominance unprecedented in recent Premier League history.\"
\n

Legends: Sergio Aguero. David Silva. Kevin De Bruyne. Names that define an era.

The main rivalry: \"Manchester United\" – the battle for the city, which turned into a fight for England.

\"Liverpool\": the revival of the legend.

Juergen Klopp came – and returned \"Liverpool\" to the top.

EPL title in 2020. Triumph in the Champions League in 2019. These are not just victories. This is the return of the heir to the throne.

Legends: Steven Gerrard. Mohamed Salah. Virgil van Dijk. Leaders who changed the course of history.

The current state of the Premier League: a new era of competition

A league that dominates football has no right to stagnate. Today EPL is a championship that:

Has the strongest lineup of teams. All 20 clubs can win matches, and even the underdogs are capable of stopping the giants.
\n
Financially superior to all other leagues. Even mid-level clubs buy stars available only to giants in other leagues.
\n
Attracts the best coaches in the world. Guardiola, Klopp, Arteta, Postecoglou are not just coaches, but architects of the future of football.
\n
Is the most watched tournament in the world. No other championship has such an audience as the EPL.
\n

Interesting facts

\n
\"Football is not just about goals and trophies. It's stories that leave a mark on the fans' memories.\"
\n

The fastest goal in the history of the Premier League: 7.69 seconds – Shane Long (Southampton). The game had not yet started, and the opponent was already knocked down.
\n
The coach who won the most: Alex Ferguson – 13 titles. Domination that no one can repeat.
\n
Most suspensions: Duncan Ferguson and Patrick Vieira – 8 red cards. Two warriors who never retreated.
\n

\n
\"The Premier League continues to evolve, setting new standards for world football. It's not just a league, it's the future of sports.\"
\n

It is worth noting that the English Premier League remains the standard of modern football, combining tradition, innovation and global influence. Will other leagues catch up with EPL? Time will tell, but today she definitely rules the football world.

\n","has_description":true,"area":{"id":10526,"name":"England","country_code":"ENG","iso_code":"GB-ENG","createdAt":"2024-11-04T11:59:57.031Z","updatedAt":"2025-06-10T06:27:31.305Z","locale":"en","stb_internal_id":"0192f70b-c5f8-7824-be2a-11bd7ce0c3d3","overrides":null,"icon":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/England_GB_ENG_f1c9ba5d11.svg","mime":"image/svg+xml","caption":null}}}}

Ross Barkley: Profile