Ozzy Osbourne stars in Aston Villa’s brilliant kit launch video, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also showing off his acting skills

Aston Villa have released a brilliant kit launch video, featuring music icon Ozzy Osbourne in a replica shirt and Emiliano Martinez dusting off his acting skills.

England striker Ollie Watkins and manager Unai Emery also turn in inspired performances in the clip which has already made a splash among football fans on social media. 

The Midlands side have been active in this summer’s transfer window announcing the arrival of Belgium international Amadou Onana for £50million on Monday, having signed Chelsea striker Ian Maatsen for £37.5m last month. 

They begin their campaign on August 17 away against West Ham and will be keen to kick on from a strong 2023-24 season which saw them finish fourth. 

And the excitement for the campaign ahead has ramped up following the unveiling of the club’s hilarious kit release video this morning.

Aston Villa have released a brilliant kit launch video, featuring Ozzy Osbourne in a replica shirt

Emiliano Martinez also turns in an assured acting performance in the dressing room

Fresh off his England heroics, striker Ollie Watkins is on hand to show off the new kit

The clip sees rock legend Osbourne, dressed in a Villa shirt with a similarly clad dog in the background, on the phone to fellow Black Sabbath member Geezer Butler.

He asks the guitarist: ‘Hey Geezer, let’s play Villa Park.’

To which Butler replies: ‘As long as I’m left wing.’

The band’s iconic hit Paranoid then kicks in, triggering an electric sequence featuring Villa players and fans.

At the start, a young fan is praying to a poster of former centre back Paul McGrath and says: ‘Please Lord, let me play for the Villa.’

A yoga instructor can then be seen taking a class involving ‘high line practice’ and has participants shuffle from side to side as if in a defensive line.

The video then cuts to Emery, sitting at his desk, who picks up the phone which has former striker Gabby Agbonlahor on a video call.

Agbonlahor tells the current manager: ‘Unai, I got this. I’m ready to play.’

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is pictured during the kit promotion video

The clip kicks off with Black Sabbath guitarist Geezer Butler on the phone to Osbourne

In an amusing segment, goalkeeper Martinez points at a fan, who has made it into the dressing room and is in full kit, and asks: ‘Who is that?’

In an amusing segment, goalkeeper Martinez points at a fan, who has made it into the dressing room and is in full kit, and asks: ‘Who is that?’

He replies, ‘Do you want me through the middle or on the left?’ before the Argentina international stares bemused into the camera lens. 

And the Villa Park side do not forget to mention their odds-defying Champions League qualification with one shop owner seen displaying a sign reading, ‘Sorry gone to Europe’.

Butler then pauses the heavy metal music to switch on the competition’s theme song based on George Frideric Handel’s Zadok the Priest.

Osbourne then makes a return to the fray, shouting towards his wife: ‘Sharon, have you seen my preds?’ in reference to the Adidas Predator football boot.

Towards the end, midfielder John McGinn and Watkins make an appearance before a series of fans, including Osbourne, scream out, ‘Up the Villa’.

The new kit is based on the club’s traditional colours, featuring a claret shirt, solid white shorts and blue socks.

Yesterday, Onana finally completed his move to Villa from Everton.

Captain John McGinn pictured during an entertaining kit launch video from Aston Villa

Former striker Gabby Agbonlahor also shows up, calling up Emery asking if he can play

Osbourne reprises his role later in the clip asking wife Sharon, ‘Where are my preds?’

The Belgian midfielder, 22, joined the club for around £50million and has become their record signing ahead of Moussa Diaby.

Villa are preparing for their return to Europe’s top table for the first time since 1983 in the Champions League.

Onana joined Everton in 2022 for £33m and racked up 72 appearances for the side, serving as a key player in their battles against relegation.

Mail Sport reported almost two months ago that Onana was likely to leave Goodison Park this summer amid financial pressures ramping up on the Merseyside club.

Earlier this month Villa’s bid was accepted and the midfielder agreed personal terms with his new side, though it took a while for the deal to be officially completed.

Villa have held a longstanding interest in Onana. Other clubs, such as Arsenal and Manchester United, were keen but never stepped up their pursuits. The Gunners made contact over a deal in May but never followed up with an offer.

He will serve as a replacement for Douglas Luiz, who joined Juventus at the end of June for around £42m.

Amadou Onana has signed for Aston Villa from Everton in a deal worth £50million 

Onana brings international experience, having been capped 17 times for Belgium and appeared at the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024 with them.

The Villains have already poached 21-year-old striker Lewis Dobbin from Everton this summer, while midfielder Tim Iroegbunam, 20, has gone in the other direction.

‘Everton thanks Amadou for his service and wishes him well for the future,’ the Toffees wrote.

Plenty of comments under Villa’s announcement post referenced an awkward moment from Onana’s Euros campaign with Belgian.

A reported mistakenly confused him with Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, prompting the midfielder to say, in a perfect English accent: ‘Andre is not even my name, mate.’

Onana made 72 appearances for Everton and became in-demand in the summer window

Unai Emery has led Villa back into the Champions League for the first time since the 1980s

Villa announced the signing of Netherlands international Ian Maatsen from Chelsea last month

The money generated from selling Onana will put Everton in a stronger position with regards to profit and sustainability rules after having two points deductions for breaching them last season.

It also makes them more equipped to resist Manchester United’s advances for defender Jarrad Branthwaite, for whom they have rejected two offers.

United had an initial offer of £35million plus £8million in add-ons for Branthwaite turned down. They subsequently returned with a bid of £45million plus £5million in add-ons, which was also rejected.