Aston Villa is delighted to announce it will honour the club’s 150th anniversary with the launch of a special commemorative kit.
With Unai Emery’s side hosting West Ham United in the third round of this season’s Emirates FA Cup on Friday evening, the club will continue its season-long celebration almost 150 years to the day since our first-ever recorded match.
To mark the occasion, the players will wear a black kit, modelled on the first kits worn by the club before the transition to our famous claret and blue colours.
In 1878, Aston Villa became the first team in the UK to put a crest on their playing kit, adopting the Scottish lion rampant.
The motifs were sourced from Scotland by William McGregor himself and in honour of our Club’s pioneering spirit, a crest inspired by the one that featured on those kits has been authentically redrawn from the earliest sources we have.
While paying homage to our beloved club’s history, the shirts will also feature adidas’ Aeroready technology as well as the famous three stripes in all black.
Principal partners Betano and Trade Nation have both kindly donated their branding space back to the club for the fixture, allowing us to create this historic look.
Chris Heck, President of Business Operations, said: “This unique anniversary kit was designed by adidas with the inspiration to deliver authenticity which is coming from the great, William McGregor.
“We are so grateful to have partners that go above and beyond our partnership for the good of the fans, thank you adidas and thank you Betano and Trade Nation.”
The shirts will go on sale at 9am on Thursday, January 9 at our Villa Park store, online at shop.avfc.co.uk and via JD.
The anniversary shirt will also be launched with an accompanying culture wear range.
