A Long and Proud History
Villa Park stands proud as the only venue to stage international clashes over three centuries. Villa have produced four England captains. A claret and blue star scored the first goal at Wembley while six modern greats were called up for England this season.
When the nation's called, Villa have always answered.
Brown, Arthur Alfred
‘Digger’ Brown and Howard Vaughton were the first Villa players to be capped by England. He had a fierce shot and scored four goals on his England debut.
1882
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0
3
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4
Vaughton, Oliver Howard
Vaughton scored a superb five goals in England’s record-breaking 13-0 victory over Northern Ireland. One of the finest forwards of his era.
1882-84
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0
5
0
6
Whateley, Oliver
Whateley was known as ‘The Daisycutter’ because of his style of shooting. A loyal player, he even lived in a house called ‘Aston Villa’.
1883
2
0
2
0
2
Allen, Albert Arthur
Allen, centre-forward, scored a hat-trick in his first England match – and six months later in September 1888, he scored Villa’s first-ever league hat-trick.
1888
1
0
1
0
3
Hodgetts, Dennis
Hodgetts was an outstanding player in the 1887 FA Cup Final and served Villa well until 1896.
1888-94
6
0
6
0
1
Athersmith, William Charles
Legend Athersmith was one of his era’s fastest and most explosive wingers. He was in Villa’s double-winning side of 1896-97 and played 12 times for England.
1892-1900
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0
12
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3
Devey, John Henry George
Devey was a tremendous club skipper and scorer of a lot of goals, as well as being a goal-maker. He captained the Villa throughout 1894-1900, when the club won 7 trophies.
1892-94
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0
2
0
1
Reynolds, John
It didn’t take long for Reynolds to enjoy success at Villa. He signed in May 1893 and eight months later he won a League Championship medal. Reynolds won eight caps for England.
1894-97
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0
5
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1
Smith, Stephen
A small player, this winger could devastate the opposition with his dribbling skills when on his game.
1895
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0
1
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1
Crabtree, James William
A great player at full-back as well as at wing-half – a superlative winner of the ball. Also good enough to play in attack when needed.
1896-1902
11
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11
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0
Spencer, Howard
Spencer has the honour of being Villa’s first captain of England. He was a winner – quick to recover desperate situations and anticipation was undoubtedly his best asset.
1897-1905
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6
3
0
Wheldon, George Frederick
Wheldon was simply awesome – demoralising many defences during the 1890s with his terrific dribbling. Nicknamed ‘Diamond’ he would often beat three or four opponents before unleashing a powerful strike.
1897-98
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0
4
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6
Wilkes, Albert
Wilkes made an immediate impact on signing for Villa – helping the club win the League Championship in successive seasons at the end of the 19th century.
1901-02
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5
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1
George, William
George, a long-serving claret and blue star, was Villa’s first England keeper. He won three caps for his country.
1902
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3
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0
Garraty, William
A versatile player over seven seasons, Garraty was a major contributor in Villa’s Cup triumph of 1905.
1903
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0
1
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0
Bache, Joseph William
Villa’s captain during the club’s ‘renaissance’ between 1901 and 1915, Bache was an incredibly cultured player. He was a general in midfield and during almost 15 years with Villa, he appeared in more than 470 competitive games.
1903-11
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0
7
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4
Brawn, William Frederick
Unusually tall for a winger, he was a really dangerous player with his long-striding runs.
1904
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2
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0
Leake, Alexander
‘Alec’ was a real fan favourite – and a natural defender with unlimited stamina. He was a member of Villa’s 1905 FA Cup-winning side and gained five caps for his country.
1904-05
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0
5
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0
Hall, Albert Edward
When Hall was switched to the left-wing to partner Bache, the pair were absolutely devastating – switching positions and the ball at great pace.
1910
1
0
1
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0
Hampton, Harry
‘Arry’ was a real terror to opposing defenders - but also a massive fan favourite with the Villa Park crowd. He remains Villa’s record League scorer with 215 goals.
1913-14
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0
4
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2
Wallace, Charles William
Charlie Wallace was a real club stalwart – consistently excellent for nine seasons - he was still working at Villa Park 50 years after he had joined as a player.
1913-20
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3
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0
Hardy, Samuel
Hardy is considered one of England’s greatest-ever goalkeepers. His perfect positional sense was what separated him from the rest. He made difficult saves look easy.
1914-20
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7
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0
Barson, Frank
Barson is considered to have been one of the toughest and yet greatest leaders on the football field. He was a superb centre-half, a fierce tackler and truly dominant in the air.
1920
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0
1
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0
Ducat, Andrew
A fine midfielder, became captain for the 1920 FA Cup final side when the current skipper Jimmy Harrop was injured.
1920
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0
3
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0
Walker, William Henry
The first England player to score at Wembley. He was Villa’s third England captain and Villa’s most capped player until David Platt 60 years later. He once scored a hat-trick of penalties for Villa.
1920-32
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0
18
3
9
Kirton, William John
Kirton was the star who won Villa the FA Cup in 1920. He scored the extra-time winner against Huddersfield in the showpiece event.
1921
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0
1
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1
Moss, Frank
Moss skippered both Villa and England and went on to win five full caps for his country. He was a tremendous wing-half.
1921-24
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0
5
1
0
Smart, Thomas
Smart was incredibly well-built and powerful – and his sheer size in itself used to spread fear in the opposition ranks.
1921-29
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5
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York, Richard Ernest
‘Dickie’ York was a dashing winger who had a tremendous turn of pace. He appeared for the Three Lions twice and for Villa in the 1924 FA Cup final.
1922-26
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2
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0
Blackburn, George Frederick
Blackburn was a consistent left-half – tireless and tenacious, wholehearted and thoroughly dedicated to the game.
1924
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1
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0
Dorrell, Arthur Reginald
Left-winger Dorrell could not be rattled or unruffled by anything – even in an exciting match he would be Mr Ice Cool.
1924-25
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4
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1
Mort, Thomas
Mort was a long standing full-back partner to Tommy Smart. The two were known as ‘Death and Glory’. He was the master of the sliding tackle.
1924-26
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3
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0
Olney, Benjamin Albert
Olney was an outstanding goalkeeper who was renowned for his consistency of performance.
1928
2
0
2
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Houghton, William Eric
Houghton was unquestionably one of Villa’s greatest players and wing-forwards. He was later appointed manager and then became a director. Famed for his thunderous shot, Houghton once scored direct from a 40-yard free-kick.
1930-31
7
0
7
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5
Tate, Joseph Thomas
Tate was a tremendous player – a fine ball-playing wing-half. He was the third member of the excellent middle line, which included Jimmy Gibson and Alec Talbot.
1931-32
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3
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0
Waring, Thomas
‘Pongo’ was an immense goalscorer, who netted 167 goals in 226 matches for Villa. He once scored 49 goals in a season, a tally that stands as a Villa record. He had everything – control, accuracy and speed.
1931-32
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0
5
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4
Brown, George
Brown – nicknamed ‘Bomber’– scored a career 276 goals in 444 league games between 1921 and 1938. He was a superb dribbler, possessed a wonderful right-foot shot and had a good eye for an opening.
1932
1
0
1
0
0
Starling, Ronald William
Considered one of the finest inside-forwards of his day, Starling won a Second Division medal and Wartime League Cup tankard while at Villa.
1933-37
2
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2
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0
Beresford, Joseph
Beresford – known as the ‘human dynamo’ – was a Holte End hero. He packed an awesome shot in his right foot.
1934
1
0
1
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0
Gardner, Thomas
Gardner was an impressive wing-half who was renowned for his long throw. On a good day, he could hurl a ball 40 yards.
1934-35
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2
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0
Broome, Frank Henry
Broome was an extremely dangerous marksman – with tremendous speed and superb positional sense. He played in four forward positions with England and once played outside-right - with Stanley Matthews at inside-right.
1938-39
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3
Lowe, Edmund
Skilful wing-half Lowe was a member of the England team which defeated Portugal 10 0 in Lisbon in 1947.
1947
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3
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Thompson, Thomas
Inside forward Thompson – nicknamed ‘Toucher’ – was a clever player with the ball at his feet. He starred for Villa alongside Colin Gibson, Johnny Dixon and Leslie Smith.
1951
1
0
1
0
0
Hitchens, Gerald Archibald
Hitchens made a fast start to his international career - scoring within two minutes of his debut. In his last season with Villa, Hitchens scored 42 goals in all competitions and once scored 10 goals for Villa in three successive matches.
1961
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0
3
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3
Little, Brian
Little earned his only England cap as a late substitute in the 1975 clash with Wales – but he made a real impact by setting up the second goal with only his fourth touch of the ball. He went on to manage the club to League Cup success in 1996.
1975
0
1
1
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Gidman, John
Full-back Gidman was famed for his terrific ability to tackle as well as his attacking tendencies. He won the club’s Terrace Trophy – rewarding star performers – in 1974.
1977
1
0
1
0
0
Morley, Anthony William
Morley was a class winger – able to beat defenders and cross accurately. He scored the goal-of-the-season against Everton in 1981 – but he was also famed for his ability to create goals too – remember the 1982 European Cup.
1981-82
5
1
6
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0
Withe, Peter
Withe’s name will forever be associated with Villa – after his famed European Cup-winning goal. He was a powerful striker who held the ball up well and linked brilliantly with Gary Shaw.
1981-84
9
2
11
0
1
Spink, Nigel Philip
Spink was strong, consistent and loyal. He played more games for Villa than any other goalkeeper. His most famous moment was when he came on as an early substitute and performed heroics in the 1982 European Cup final.
1983
0
1
1
0
0
Cowans, Gordon Sidney
‘Sid’ was a huge crowd favourite in each of his three spells at the club. In his first spell, the classy midfielder was a member of the First Division Championship side, also European Cup and Super Cup winners.
1983-90
8
0
8
0
1
Hodge, Stephen Brian
Hodge was a member of England’s 1986 World Cup squad, managed by Bobby Robson and featuring Glenn Hoddle, Chris Waddle and Bryan Robson.
1986
8
3
11
0
0
Platt, David Andrew
Platt, cost Villa a mere £200,000 when he arrived from Crewe in 1988 – and netted the club £5.5m when he joined Italian side Bari. He came to the fore in the 1990 World Cup when he scored a spectacular goal in stoppage time against Belgium.
1989
14
7
22
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7
Daley, Anthony Mark
Daley was a remarkably fast and tricky winger. A product of the club’s academy system, he was in the Euro 1992 squad under his former club manager Graham Taylor.
1991-92
4
3
7
0
0
Barrett, Earl Delisser
Barrett’s time at Villa wasn’t long but his performances always carried a touch of class.
1993
2
0
2
0
0
Richardson, Kevin
Richardson, solid and consistent, captained Villa in their magnificent win over Manchester United in the 1994 League Cup final. His only England appearance was in a 5-0 victory over Greece shortly afterwards.
1994
1
0
1
0
0
Southgate, Gareth
Southgate arrived at Villa Park as a midfielder but was transformed into a classy centre-back even before the opening game of his debut season. That quality earned him 42 England caps during his time in claret and blue – a Villa record.
1995-2002
34
8
42
0
1
Ehiogu, Ugochuku
Ehiogu was snapped up from neighbours West Brom for a bargain £40,000– but Villa had to pay the Baggies a substantial sell-on fee when he joined Middlesbrough. He made one appearance for the Three Lions.
1996
0
1
1
0
0
Collymore, Stanley Victor
Collymore was unplayable on his day and showed several examples of this brilliance during his time in claret and blue, after moving to Villa Park for a record-breaking £7m in 1997.
1997
0
1
1
0
0
Dublin, Dion
Dublin made an instant impact - scoring seven goals in his first three games for Villa, including a hat-trick at Southampton. He earned one cap while with Villa.
1998
1
0
1
0
0
Hendrie, Lee Andrew
Hendrie gave a glimpse of his immense potential in his 10 minutes of fame for England against the Czech Republic in 1998.
1998
0
1
1
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0
Merson, Paul
was a class act – brilliant with the ball at his feet and influential in the central ground. He made one appearance for his country while at Villa.
1998
1
0
1
0
1
Barry, Gareth
Now regarded as one of the most competent midfielders in the country, Barry made his bow on the international stage as a left-back. He has subsequently developed into one of the classiest players in the club’s history.
2000-
20
9
29
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1
James, David Benjamin
James is a stalwart on the international stage – showing his class for many years. Signed for Villa from Liverpool in 1999, James was a larger than life character at the club. He played three times for England while at Villa Park.
2001
2
1
3
0
0
Vassell, Darius
Vassell is best remembered for his two late UEFA Cup goals. He also scored with a spectacular volley against Holland on his England debut, going on to make 22 international appearances while in the claret and blue of Villa.
2002-04
6
16
22
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6
Young, Ashley
Young is a class winger. Some people felt Villa had paid over the odds when they splashed out £8m for him in 2007 but he has proved to be worth every penny. He made his England debut against Austria later that year.
2007-08
0
4
4
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Agbonlahor, Gabriel
Speed demon Agbonlahor has established himself as a impressive marksman for Villa and will hopefully follow suit for England as he bids to add to the two caps he has won so far.
2008-
2
0
2
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0
Heskey, Emile
Heskey is a fine forward – strong and powerful. He was well-established in the international set-up long before joining Villa – and has already added two more caps and one goal to his collection.
2009
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1