THE LOWDOWN — THE FULL HISTORY
THE GIANT
Aston Villa founded the Football League in 1888. They have seven titles, seven FA Cups, the 1897 double and the 1982 European Cup, won with one Peter Withe goal against Bayern. Then, from 1996, came 30 years without a trophy.
THE SWITCH
2025-26 started like year 31: financial rules allowed one real signing, and five games brought no wins and one goal. Unai Emery then took them to 12 wins in 13, including 11 straight, equalling a club record from 1897, and into a title race with Arsenal.
THE CRUELTY
Injuries to Kamara, Tielemans and McGinn ended the title dream. In January Tammy Abraham and Douglas Luiz came back and Bailey was recalled.
ISTANBUL
On 20 May, 44 years after Rotterdam, Villa played in a European final and won 3-0, with goals from Tielemans, Buendía and Rogers. They finished fourth to reach the Champions League. Rogers later went to Chelsea for £117m. Number 4 in THE COUNTDOWN.
MORE FROM THE COUNTDOWN
THE TERRACES — DISCUSSION
The argument also lives in the YouTube comments ↗.