Absolute literary perfection on the beautiful games most auspicious club.
You can keep Man U, Chelsea and all of Liverpools European cups. With MON & RL we not only have the future of AVFC, but quite rightly the savious of our game... once again AVFC is the beacon of how things should be done
UTV

Matt, B6, Birmingham, UK

Writing to do the famous old Club justice. Beautiful. Sometimes I have never quite understood why we felt the need to drag ourselves around the country to support the team when I knew we were going to get beaten. The wonderful words above get as close as possible to explaining our noble compulsion.

Mick, London, UK

The first game I saw was the League Cup North final second leg against Blackpool in 1946. George Edwards was a prolific scorer and i recall him being brought down and as he fell he punched the ball over the line and a goal was given.. Havivg lost at Blackpool Villa thankfully won the cup.

Trevor E.Jones, Bourne End , Bucks

This is what Aston Villa are about, a real Club with a real history and a great future ahead of it. I find it a great shame that some of our fans do not have the same appreciation of the club as well as each other. As for Charlie Aitken, what a player, what a man, especially when you know him.

Forever, Alicante, Spain

For my 1st match I saw the Villa beat Man Utd 2-1 in 1967, at 16 yrs old. Villa have always been extra special to me and Mr W has summed it up brilliantly bringing a tear to my eye. I can share most of his memories, it's been a roller coaster, finishing with Lerner is a master stroke.

Roger T, Wetherby, England

Not just Pinter referenced Villa. Larkin's poem MCMXIV gives a namecheck to Villa Park.

Adrian, Manchester,

What a wondeful article. A proper football club with a proud history and bright future.

Kieran, Barcelona,

Number 43, was I believe directed at John Motson, during a Match Of The Day interview and I'm pretty sure can be seen on one or more of the History Of Villa DVD's

Mark Hill, Redditch, UK

I always thought we were special ... now I know we are.

Jeff, Birmingham, UK

What a splendid article by Richard Whitehead: authoritative, amusing and, for those of us who love Aston Villa, truly moving! Like Peter Morris's great history of the club and Mr Whitehead's own "Children of the Revolution" it makes me proud to be a supporter of Aston Villa.

Frank Pattison, Horsham,

Thank you! I'm sat at home feeling miserable with a cold type thing - generally feeling sorry for myself. And you have both brought a tear to my eye and made me laugh outloud.

Thank you, thank you, thank you

Carrie Belbin, Weston Super Mare, England

Fantastic stuff - what a great club!
I would have included the two Nigels - Spink and Kennedy and the Acorns logo makes me really proud to be a Villain.

Stephen, Istanbul, Turkey

After what's happened in the last few days at Manchester City, what a great reminder of what football should be all about. Top job and totally agree with Randy Lerner getting the top spot. I suspect Randy and Martin might just rescue the beautiful game from the hands of the money men.

Chris, London, UK

What about our appearance in the hollywood blockbuster "Hannibal"? When Clarice is on the phone to the Italian police, there is a TV in the background showing the FA cup final V Chelsea, with a shot of Joachim.Every Villa fan at Wembley is in a Hollywood film, what other team can boast that?

Mick Sorahan, finedon, UK

Yes yes yes! Great article! Thanks.

A proper football club for proper supporters.

Adam, cardiff,

What a nice read, I hope this makes people see football is about more than just money. Proud history - bright future!!! Up the Villa!!!

Holly , Wilts,

Wonderful read, only confirming that the club we follow really is the most historical and unique club in football.

R Moseley, Birmingham,

A well written piece somewhat ruined by the petty insults about the 2003 tonking by your cousins in Blue.

Tribalism cuts both ways, and certain of the Villa bretheren are far from model citizens.

Good luck getting 4 th spot.

Finn, Beijing, China

An excellent read.

The Club that Created The Game. For that fact alone Aston Villa F.C. has no equals.

No amount of billions could create such historical uniqueness and importance. It is high time UEFA/FIFA recognised Aston Villa F.C.'s role as the fathers of the modern game.

Mick, Cork, Ireland

An incredible story. Magnificent!

Paul Westwood, bandar seri begawan, brunei darussalam

Truly breathtaking, I'm 28 years old fan, a sprig when you think of our mighty history but it is something I felt when I first went to Villa Park as an 8 year old. A real sense of nostalgia and belonging to something immensely larger than yourself.

Adam Lawrence, Birmingham,

incredibly good and factual article, brought back so many memories of past glories

barry clarke, treaddur bay, anglesey, wales

A fantastic article. We may not have the best team around (yet), but the famous Aston Villa will always be the grandest and proudest institution that football can boast.

Well done Mr. Whitehead.

J Hill, Birmingham, England

Super article, highlights why no other club can truely be more historic and important in British football

Ian, Birmingham,

Thats is why we are unique, i feel so honoured
to be a Villa fan the last 55 years,

Mickey Price, Birmingham, west Midlands

Best article ever!

Roger , Bertrange, Luxembourg