1896–97 Aston Villa F.C. season

The 1896-87 season was Aston Villa's ninth season in the Football League since being one of its 12 founding members in 1888.

Aston Villa
1896–97 season
Chairman
Manager George Ramsay
First Division1st
FA CupWinners
Top goalscorerLeague: Fred Wheldon (18)
All: Fred Wheldon (22)

The season got off to a slow start, with Villa recording only two wins in the first six games. An unbeaten run of 12 games took them to the top, where they finished with a lead of 11 points. The title was won when Derby County F.C. failed to win on 10 April; Villa had three games left to play, all of which were won.

For good measure, the FA Cup was also won, to make Villa the second team to complete "The Double".

This was the season during which Villa moved from Wellington Road to their current home at Villa Park, although it was still referred to as 'Aston Lower Grounds' for some time.

John Campbell was not quite as productive as in the previous season, and the leading scorer honours went to Fred Wheldon. Fred had been signed in 1896 for £350 from local rivals Small Heath, who had been relegated the previous season.[1] He was a good dribbler with the ball and won four caps for England. He played first class cricket for Worcestershire.

Results

Football League
See also: 1896–97 Football League

A total of 16 teams competed in the First Division in the 1896–97 season. Each team would play every other team twice, once at their stadium, and once at the opposition's. Two points were awarded to teams for each win, one point per draw, and none for defeats.

Final league position
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Qualification
1 Aston Villa 30 21 5 4 73 38 1.921 47[lower-alpha 1] League Champions
2 Sheffield United 30 13 10 7 42 29 1.448 36
3 Derby County 30 16 4 10 70 50 1.400 36
4 Preston North End 30 11 12 7 55 40 1.375 34
5 Liverpool 30 12 9 9 46 38 1.211 33
Source:
Notes:
  1. FA Cup Winners

FA Cup
See also: 1896–97 FA Cup

Trivia

Ever-present: Charlie Athersmith, Jimmy Cowan, Fred Wheldon

First at top: 28 Nov

Players used: 17

See also

References
  1. Tony Matthews (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Breedon Books. p. 133. ISBN 1-85983-010-2.
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