27 years

[amfy]

I was 31, just completing my notice working at a bail hostel in Trinity Road before going to study Social Work at University of Central England. (It’s new name never goes on my CV).
At that time I hardly went to Villa Park because my shifts were so weird, but I used to watch everyone else going as I sat at work.

[Brend'Watkins]

I hate this thread. The fact it’s taken this long to beat them at home, my hair was plentiful, and darker back then. Even with 6 mins added time I thought something would contrive to screw us over. Maybe it’s our new manager.

[Mouse Potato]

I was 28 years old and a group of about 8 of us had a couple of quid each on a 3-1 Villa win at 26-1.  The strange looks we had after leaping around like loons when Beckham scored the consolation.

[Pat McMahon]

I was at my girlfriend’s that weekend and we split up that Sunday morning. I didn’t know the score until I picked up the Sunday Times at the station to see we had won and started the healing process

[BC54 VFC]

I'd been living and working in Shrewsbury for 5 years. Sat with my wife, and sons then aged 6 and 3, in the 2nd row of the Upper Holte, r/h/s, as we'd been temporarily moved from our ST's in the Lower Witton Lane, because of a seat revamp which had run into the new season.

Took two balloons to keep the 3 y/o amused - he was a fidget in those days - and pretty sure they were both in the Lower Holte well before HT! Three of us were there today, but the now 30 y/o woke up in London ill this morning so couldn't make it up on the train; he's suitably gutted, but obviously chuffed with the result.

[Pat McMahon]

I was at my girlfriend’s that weekend and we split up that Sunday morning. I didn’t know the score until I picked up the Sunday Times at the station to see we had won and started the healing process

Forgot to say I was living in Paris then and in those pre internet days finding out results was a real challenge

[Villan For Life]

I was 29, recently married to my first wife & went to the game with my Brummie red ex brother in law. I remember the heat and his demeanour, my joy lasted about as long as the marriage! Wasn’t it the Hansen “you will never win anything with kids” game?

[OzVilla]

I was fit and handsome 22 year old playing a fairly decent standard of cricket at the time so didn't go.

I'm now nearly 50 and a grey haired, run down version that would barely make out who was bowling without thick glasses.

Yeah....it's been a while.

[Axl Rose]

It was my 13th birthday, my dad bought me the new home shirt, and there were two tickets for the match attached to the shirt.

I think that was the season he finally accepted that I was never ever going to be a Leicester fan, and he fell in love with the Villa as much as I had.

A great day. As was yesterday as a 40 year old man waking my wife and daughter up at 1:30am.

I'm suffering today. Hungover and have to teach two university classes. There are a couple of gobby little man Utd fans in there, so I'm going to take great joy in laughing at them as they enter the lecture hall.

[Rory]

There are a couple of gobby little man Utd fans in there, so I'm going to take great joy in laughing at them as they enter the lecture hall.

Are they from Manchester, by any chance? I'd be amazed if they weren't.

[Jimsta]

I was 20, I was there that day and remember Mark Draper turning Roy Keane inside out that day, Everyone was confused that day because Gareth Southgate was playing in defence and we all saying didn't he play in midfield for Palace, Yes it was 3-1 that day and Man U goal was also a deflected shot which was Beckhams first Prem goal.
since then season ticket up to 99/00 where i went to oz for a year, Then Thailand for a Year where i met my wife and divorced after 8 years, Met my new Thai lady and now live in Thailand with a regular trip back to the Uk to see family and try to get to see the Villa if ever possible.

[sid1964]

I was single 31 years of age, just finished with a girl who fell out with me during a holiday abroad, she told she had met someone else, that was a strange holiday.

I went with my Dad (who is now too ill to attend games, in fact he cant remember any of the games, dementia is an awful disease)

Met my wife in the summer of 1996, and pleased to say that she has stuck by me through good times and bad of supporting the VILLA!!

Fantastic day yesterday, lets hope it is not another 27 years until we beat them at home in the league.

[Hillbilly]

I was trying to work out what to do with my life beyond playing footy, drinking beer and eating curry. Then I met my partner, emigrated and made a family. Now I'm having thoughts like 'less than 10 years to retirement'.

[rob_bridge]

I recall ringing up ticket office about 10 days before to be told it was sold out.

The company I worked for had a fledgling partnership with Villa and my mate (a Baggie) said I should ask for Ray who runs ticket office and take a punt. Duly obliged and had a front seat on the Upper Holte on a glorious English summer day.

[Bad English]

Now I'm having thoughts like 'less than 10 years to retirement'.

I'm having those; it's currently 8 years to go (although I could retire in 6 with a massive cut in my pension, so I will probably soldier on).