Date of your first visit to Villa Park

[Bernie]

Some time in season 1965/66 v Everton. Won 3-2 after being 3-0 up

[Villa Lew]

31 Oct 1959 we beat Plymouth Argyle 2 - 0 goals from Jimmy MacEwan and Peter Mac. Unfortunately my dad did not take me to the take home game, which was Villa 11 Charlton 1.

[Broughty-Villian]

dunno exactly, but born in '71, and I can recall seeing Charlie George for Arsenal, and Malcolm Mcdonald for NUFC, so '74-'75 ish. and my old man reliably informs me I have seen Ian Ross, Jim Coombes and Charlie Aitken and one of the Riochs.

[He wears a magic hat]

No Idea who my first game was against.

My Dad always tells me that he took me to see Pele went we played Santos and a number of games after that but I have no recollection of any of them.

The first game I have recollection of was Villa v Antwerp so 1 October 1975.

I remember crying cuz Jim Cumbes was dropped for Jake Findlay

[Villa Lew]

My first trip to Villa Park was when my dad took me to see Blackpool play when I was just about five years old. He felt he had to because I had an uncle who had previously taken me to The Hawthorns and he was concerned that I might end up a Baggies fan. I think it must have been in 1951 because I know we won and that Stanley Mathews was in the Blackpool team. We were standing on the Witton Lane terracing and they pushed me to the front, which was a bit silly since the front of the terracing was a couple of feet below pitch level, meaning that my eyes were pretty much at the same level as the pitch. I can even now vividly recall Mathews coming within touching distance when he came to collect a ball for a throw in. Apparently I shouted "come on Stanley" and was roundly shouted down by the crowd. (those that weren't laughing)

It must have been 1952, as according to my AV The Complete Record by Rob Bishop, the present Villa historian, that was the first time we beat Blackpool at home since the war. If you're interested it was on January 19th and we won 4 nil scorers Thompson 2, Dixon and Walsh. Well done on nearly 66 years of supporting Villa.

[castlefields_villan]

February 1967 - aged 9, a 3-2 home win against Blackpool the season us and them were both relegated from the old First Division.

As was mentioned in an earlier reply the depth of the claret and blue shirts really struck me - I was in the Upper Trinity with Mum and Dad (RIP both) and my brother.
My first sighting of the vast old Holte End is something I've never forgot.

My second visit was just over a year later, last home game of the following season when we lost 2-1 to QPR (for whom I think winning meant promotion).  I was at the very front of the old standing Trinity Enclosure and again the depth of the colours really struck me.

Almost everybody else's first visit to VP mentioned on here since then, are games I can recall very easily.

Where oh where have the last 50 years gone ?

[jcsutv]

My first trip was 1974 or 1975 midweek against Sheff Weds Reserves. Would like to know the exact date!

Monday 17/03/1975 2-0 Alun Evans & Deehan scored

Thanks for that. Had a look but couldn't find the date. I remember not getting why they were called Sheffield Wednesday.  Saying that I still don't know why and I'm now 46😯

[jcsutv]

Was it Ipswich. 1981? You had my ticket as I was ill.

You got it!

The things you would do to get a ticket for the Villa. Poisoned by my younger brother.

[Richard E]

3rd March 1979. Aston Villa 1 Birmingham City 0. Sid scored the goal. 

[andrew08]

Torquay April 1972. We won 5-1 and I think it was Brian Little’s debut. Not that I would have known that then, I can remember going with Dad and Grandad and standing on the Witton Lane terrace not being able to see much. Div 3 of course, a good first 10 years that was... we are the spoilt generation.

[berneboy]

Torquay April 1972. We won 5-1 and I think it was Brian Little’s debut. Not that I would have known that then, I can remember going with Dad and Grandad and standing on the Witton Lane terrace not being able to see much. Div 3 of course, a good first 10 years that was... we are the spoilt generation.

I remember it well. Sir Brian was directing play! I think he was only 17.

No, he was eighteen. I was seventeen.

[Rotterdam]

Sept 20th 1980
Villa 2 Wolves 1

[wittonwarrior]

I actually stumbled upon Villa.  No connection with the WM apart from the fact my dad knew Danny Blanchflower. 

We were actually travelling up to the lakes for our summer holiday, stuck in traffic for ages partly due to an excessive number of cars and coaches travelling northwards on the M6.  My dad had enough and through his scouting had connections with Preston North End.  We landed there much to my approval and my mum's disgust (she is 93 now and still hates the word Villa).    I was in love with the Villa as soon as I saw them. 

As any kid of my age I budgered my dad to take me to Villa Park - didn't take too long.  He was working part time for Orient assessing school players and   a month later we ventured to Villa Park.  Actually met someone who we stood by at Preston.  It was September 1973 and we drew against the mighty O's  2 -2. 

I had by this time been to most of the London grounds none of which were a patch on Villa Park in terms of size.  What I remember was how steep the Holte was, the chippy on Witton Lane and the four distintive stands.  Other than that I remember a rolly polly playing for the Villa who a lot of neutral fans  would have recongised Trevor Hockey.

40 odd years on, despite all the crapness I am as in love with the Villa as I was then.  Certainly beat selling programmes at Ilford FC.

[The Man With A Stick]

February 6th 1988. Villa 2 Leicester 1

Snap.  Evans (pen) and Lillis with the goals I think.

[ColinMac]

May 7th 1977, Villa 2 Leeds 1