Aston Villa supporters have enjoyed several legendary figures on the pitch at Villa Park throughout the generations.
Whether they have been long-time servants, prolific goalscorers or those who have earned trophies in claret and blue, they are always welcomed back or remembered fondly by the fans.
With Aston Villa playing in the top division for the vast majority of the club’s recent history, some top-quality players have come through the door in B6, always given an endearing welcome by the Villa Park faithful, though some, naturally, are recalled more memorably than others.
Charlie Aitken
- Appearances: 660
- Goals: 16
- Years at Aston Villa: 1960-1976
- Trophies: Second Division 1960, League Cup 1961, League Cup 1975, Third Division 1972
No man has made more appearances for the Villans than the left-back who played 660 times across a 16-year stint in claret and blue.
The Scot played through the good times and bad in B6 as he played a role in multiple League Cup and league title wins while also featuring as Villa were relegated to the third tier for the 1970/71 season.
This culminated in the defender helping his side to qualify for the UEFA Cup in 1975 before eventually departing for New York Cosmos in 1976.
Peter Withe
- Appearances: 233
- Goals: 92
- Years at Aston Villa: 1980-1985
- Trophies: First Division 1981, European Cup 1982, European Super Cup 1982
There are few players more iconic than the striker in B6 as the commentary of Withe’s famous goal has been adorned on the stands of Villa Park for years.
“Shaw, Williams prepared to venture down left. There’s a great ball played in for Tony Morley. It must be. It is! Peter Withe!”
This was the moment where the Villans secured a European Cup for the first time, thanks to a 1-0 win against Bayern Munich in Rotherham.
The man who signed from Newcastle United for £500,000 will forever be remembered for this moment and his deadly partnership with fellow Villa legend, Gary Shaw.
Withe joined at 29 years old, but certainly made his spell in the West Midlands count with three trophies while also picking up 11 appearances for England.
A true legend at Villa Park.
Brian Little
- Appearances: 302
- Goals: 82
- Years at Aston Villa: 1970-1980 (player), 1994–1998 (manager)
- Trophies: Third Division 1972, League Cup 1975, League Cup 1977, League Cup 1996 (as manager)
There aren’t many examples in modern football of people who have been successful as both a player and a manager for the same club.
Little was a one-club man as a player, featuring for the Villans as a striker and was certainly a fan favourite with his flair, imagination and eye for goal at Villa Park.
The one-time England international was a key player as the Villans won the 1975 League Cup and, as a result, Little was welcomed with open arms when given the chance to become manager in B6.
In four years as manager of his boyhood club, the Newcastle-born ace oversaw 164 appearances and also won a League Cup in the dugout, as the Villans’ beat Leeds United 3-0 in their last major honour in 1996.
Paul McGrath
- Appearances: 323
- Goals: 9
- Years at Aston Villa: 1989-1996
- Trophies: League Cup 1994, League Cup 1996
The Republic of Ireland international is simply known as “God” around the terraces at Villa Park.
If that doesn’t sum up everything good about the centre back and how the supporters in B6 recognise his ability and talent, then not much else will.
McGrath sums up what is great about a modern centre-back to many Villa fans who have still never seen a better defender in their time supporting the B6 club.
The man signed from Manchester United was a brute at the back for the Villans but was also excellent with the ball at his feet, playing a key role as Villa made it to Europe in his spell at Villa Park.
His excellent performances saw him win four Player of the Year awards with Villa between 1990 and 1994, while also being recognised nationally in 1993, as the PFA awarded the Irishman with their Player of the Year award after coming close to winning the Premier League.
The icing on the cake for McGrath came against the Red Devils in 1994 as a 3-1 win was enough to secure a League Cup title, before returning two years later to secure another against Leeds United.
Olof Mellberg
- Appearances: 263
- Goals: 8
- Years at Aston Villa: 2001-2008
- Trophies: Intertoto Cup 2001
“I’ve got a feeling that I don’t like Birmingham City at all.”
In terms of recent history at Villa Park, you’ll struggle to find a player more universally loved than Olof Mellberg.
Signed from Racing Santander in 2001, the big Swede proved his class throughout his time in claret and blue, forming a dominant partnership with Martin Laursen at the back.
This saw both the Nordic duo wear the captain armband at different points of their career, summing up their importance in the Midlands.
The Villans have had a host of top centre backs, but for his sheer authority, strength and dominance, Mellberg is famed for his stint in the Premier League, as he was very rarely caught making a mistake to put his side in danger.
His love among Villa fans was summed up when the defender gave out “Mellberg thanks for your support” shirts at his final outing against West Ham at Upton Park. This ended his association with the club on a perfect note.