To wear the captain’s armband at Aston Villa carries the heavy weight of one of England’s most historic clubs.
While many have led the team out of the tunnel at Villa Park, only a few have defined eras, and inspired supporters.
Our Read Aston Villa team, list their five greatest Villa captains, based on longevity, trophies and impact:
5. Stiliyan Petrov
“Stan” Petrov arrived at Villa Park in 2006 in a deal worth £6.5 million. Quickly, he became the heartbeat of the club during the Martin O’Neil years. His best form was in the 2008/09 season, where he picked up the Players’ and Supporters’ Player of the Year awards.
After being made captain in the 2009/10 campaign, Petrov led Villa to three consecutive sixth-placed finishes and a League Cup final. His presence was immense, and he was truly inspirational.
In March 2012, the Bulgarian midfielder was diagnosed with acute leukaemia, which unfortunately caused him to take a break from football. He eventually had to retire in May 2013.
The love and affection shown by the Villa supporters throughout his illness was nothing short of incredible. A regular “19th-minute applause” serenaded Villa Park each match and created an eternal bond between captain and fans that still shines today.
His bravery and leadership make him one of Villa’s greatest ever captains.
4. Kevin Richardson
As Villa’s first captain of the Premier League era, Kevin Richardson was a grafter. His quiet, unassuming character often made him go under the radar. He was a player who went about his business in workmanlike fashion.
In the inaugural 1992/93 season, under Ron Atkinson, Richardson captained Villa to a runners-up finish. Two years later, he put in a stellar performance that led the Villans to League Cup glory in 1994 in a 3-1 win over Manchester United. The Englishman was awarded the Man of the Match.
This was Villa’s first trophy for twelve years and their first League Cup in seventeen.
As a model professional, who gave his all for the club, Richardson deserves the recognition as one of the greats that captained Aston Villa.
3. Andy Townsend
Taking over from Richardson as captain in the 1994/95 season, Andy Townsend was the complete opposite character. He was a vocal, commanding leader who led the club through one of its most consistent periods in the modern era.
Townsend is the last man to captain Villa to a major trophy, winning the 1996 League Cup in a 3-0 win over Leeds United. His display in the middle of the park earned the Man of the Match award.
His tireless work-rate and “heart-on-sleeve” mentality gave him a high reputation among supporters. To this day, he is still well-liked and is often involved in media around the club.
There can be no list that doesn’t include Andy Townsend.
2. John McGinn
Perhaps this is recency bias, but John McGinn is one of the greatest captains to wear the Aston Villa shirt. He just understands what it means to play for the club, the importance of winning a trophy for the supporters and the need to leave everything out on the pitch.
As recently shown, when he’s injured, Villa looks lost without him.
McGinn is a workhorse who throws himself into tackles and runs himself into the ground. From joining the club in the Championship to now leading them out in European football, no player that deserves silverware more than him.
318 appearances to his name, the Scotsman will already be remembered as a Villa legend. But if Unai Emery’s side can win the Europa League this season, then there is no doubt that McGinn will be etched into history as the greatest captain to wear claret and blue.
1. Dennis Mortimer
For now, there can only be one man to top the list. Dennis Mortimer isn’t just Villa’s greatest ever captain; he is the most successful.
Leading Villa to their first league title for 71 years in 1981, he appeared in all 42 league games. Just a year later, Mortimer captained the side to their only ever European Cup in 1982. It is the proudest night in the club’s 152-year history, winning 1-0 against Bayern Munich in Rotterdam.
He amassed 406 appearances across his decade-long career at B6, during which he was a force in midfield.
Mortimer will forever be remembered in Villa supporters’ minds as the man who led Villa to European glory for the first time ever, making him the greatest ever captain.
