1925: Len Capewell scored five of Villa's ten goals in the opening day of the season victory over Burnley to equal the individual record for the most number of goals in a game by a single player, jointly held by Harry Hampton and Harold Halse. It was, of course, the first day that the new offside rule came into operation; whereas before the three players had to be between the attacker and the goal, now only two were required, and Villa adapted to the rule far better than their opponents, winning the match 10-0.

1936: Villa kicked off the season in unfamiliar surroundings - relegated at the end of the previous season for the first time in their history, they were at Vetch Field for the Second Division match against Swansea City. Villa won 2-1 but there was to be no immediate return to the top-flight.

Random Villa Fact

Charlie Wallace became the first player to make a century of consecutive Villa league appearances when he played in the home game against Preston on Saturday 9th December 1911. Charlie's run started on 27th March 1909 and he took the total to 102 before missing the Boxing Day fixture against Oldham.