Aston Villa v Napoli: 5th May, 1970

[Oscar Arce]

Looking back on our disastrous relegation season of 1969-70, Villa played what was billed as a 'surprise' friendly game against the Italian side Nappoli at Villa Park.
We'd already been relegated of course, but I'm wondering why we played this game, which ended 1-1, as late as 5th of May and over three weeks after Charlie Aitken's testimonial against Coventry City on April 20th, which was the last game of an awful season.
Anybody remember the game and why we played it at a time when players would be on thier summer break normally?

[Ron Manager]

Looking back on our disastrous relegation season of 1969-70, Villa played what was billed as a 'surprise' friendly game against the Italian side Nappoli at Villa Park.
We'd already been relegated of course, but I'm wondering why we played this game, which ended 1-1, as late as 5th of May and over three weeks after Charlie Aitken's testimonial against Coventry City on April 20th, which was the last game of an awful season.
Anybody remember the game and why we played it at a time when players would be on thier summer break normally?

It does not merit a report in Bryan Sheppards' book Oscar and I cannot remember anything about this match at all. It does seem strange timing for such a match doesn't it.

Looks like Dave Simmonds came off the bench to score for us.

[Comrade Blitz]

Was it a tune-up match for Napoli for the Anglo-Italian Cup final?

[Comrade Blitz]

[Oscar Arce]

Was it a tune-up match for Napoli for the Anglo-Italian Cup final?

Good shout although Napoli were probably in the UK at that time, the Anglo Italian Cup Final was in Naples not until 28th May, Swindon beat them 3-0 and the game was abandoned due to crowd violence. Napoli played Sheffield Wednesday and Swindon in Group 1. Maybe that's the reason for the 'surprise' friendly?

[Ron Manager]

One thing you can be sure of.  Doug made a profit out of that day!!

[Oscar Arce]

The team that night was:
Phillips: Bradley Aitken: Tiler NRioch Turnbull: McMahon BRioch Godfrey Hamilton Anderson.
Season tickets in the programme for season 1970-71 were advertised at £10 and £13 !

[castlefields_villan]

Was that the day we came out in our "yellow and blue away kit" and the Holte End booed ?

[dave shelley]

Was that the day we came out in our "yellow and blue away kit" and the Holte End booed ?

I might be wrong but I think that was when we played the Italian U21 or some other underage side.

[Oscar Arce]

Was that the day we came out in our "yellow and blue away kit" and the Holte End booed ?

I might be wrong but I think that was when we played the Italian U21 or some other underage side.

Correct Dave it was the Italian Under 21 pre season friendly, you were right about the booing though Castlefields, it was also not helped by the Italians running straight towards the Holte End leaving Villa the Witton to run to, and booooooooooooooooooo!!!!

[levico]

I was at the Napoli match and the Coventry friendly.

I can't remember anything about the Napoli match but I do remember Coventry. If I'm correct, they played in green and black stripes and beat us 3-2.

[MorrisNielson]

The team that night was:
Phillips: Bradley Aitken: Tiler NRioch Turnbull: McMahon BRioch Godfrey Hamilton Anderson.
Season tickets in the programme for season 1970-71 were advertised at £10 and £13 !

Yep, Simmons came on as sub for Godfrey in the second half and scored the equaliser.

[adrenachrome]

Was that the day we came out in our "yellow and blue away kit" and the Holte End booed ?

I might be wrong but I think that was when we played the Italian U21 or some other underage side.

Correct Dave it was the Italian Under 21 pre season friendly, you were right about the booing though Castlefields, it was also not helped by the Italians running straight towards the Holte End leaving Villa the Witton to run to, and booooooooooooooooooo!!!!

Also, the Vlla players all had tans, which was not the norm in those days.

[Oscar Arce]

I was at the Napoli match and the Coventry friendly.

I can't remember anything about the Napoli match but I do remember Coventry. If I'm correct, they played in green and black stripes and beat us 3-2.

The Charlie Aitken testimonial was 3-3 levico, McMahon, Anderson and Godfrey for Villa, Rafferty, O'Rourke and Machin for Cov.
The crowd was dissapointing for such a great servant, only 9,512, a hangover from relegation I suppose.
Cov's new kit was green and black stripes, correct, remember them playing in that.

[dave shelley]

I was at all three of those games, Italy U21's, Coventry and Napoli but, for the life of me I cannot remember a thing about the Napoli game.