Celebrating a century and a half of footballing history, adidas and Aston Villa unveil a special anniversary jersey that pays tribute to the club’s storied past. The kit will be worn in the third round of this season’s Emirates FA Cup on Friday against West Ham.
Celebrating 150 years in sleek style, adidas and Aston Villa have unveiled a stunning anniversary jersey that encapsulates the rich heritage of one of England’s most storied clubs. Modelled on the first kits worn by the club before the transition to their famous claret and blue colours, the sleek black look harks back to the club’s formative years, when Villa first wore the colour while securing their first major honour—the Birmingham Senior Cup in 1880.
In 1878, Villa became the first team in the UK to feature a crest on their playing kit, adopting the Scottish lion rampant as their symbol. The original motifs, sourced directly from Scotland by William McGregor—the founder of the Football League—embodied the club’s pioneering spirit. For this special edition, the lion rampant crest has been authentically redrawn from the earliest available sources, providing a deeply meaningful nod to Villa’s past.
Adding to the significance, principal partners Betano and Trade Nation have graciously donated their branding space back to the club for the anniversary fixture, allowing the design to remain purely historic. This gesture ensures the shirt remains an authentic tribute to Aston Villa’s legacy.
As well as the kit, there's also an accompanying culture wear range.
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 Aston Villa 150th anniversary shirt will go on sale at 9am on Thursday, 9 January at shop.avfc.co.uk
