Aston Villa

Aston Villa have called Villa Park home since 1897, though to begin with it was actually known as Aston Lower Grounds. At the time it was a sport ground that was situated in a Victorian amusement park in the grounds of Aston Hall. Aston Hall was a Jacobean stately home and, though current Villa fans might suggest that their future looks like it will resemble a Jacobean tragedy, the stadium has a storied history. Up until the start of the First World War the perimeter of the pitch at Villa Park was surrounded by a cycling track and was the location for numerous cycling meetings and athletic events. The now defunct UEFA Cup Winner’s Cup saw its last ever final played at Villa Park in 1999, whilst the ground is also the only one in the country to host international football in three different sports.