Charlie Aitken RIP

[eamonn]

Sad news indeed. Did he still attend the odd Villa game?

[Bernie]

So sad to hear this, when I started watching Villa in the late '60's,  Charlie was always there, I thought he always had been and always would be!
RIP Villa man

[AlexAlexCropley]

A true great. My first Villa hero.God bless Charlie.

[Smirker]

RIP HEITS.

[Clive W]

Very sad

One of my first Villa heroes

Mr 110%

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Sad news. A cracking left back, a wonderful servant to the club and by all accounts a real gentleman. I doubt his record number of appearances will ever be beaten.

RIP HITS

[BC Villain]

Very sad news.  A loyal clubman in an era when he could have been forgiven for wanting to move on as we tumbled down the leagues.  Be amazed if his appearance record will be beaten.  RIP Charlie

[Villa Lew]

Very sad news, one of my favourite ever players, saw him make his debut as a 18 year old in 1961, our all time record holder with 659 appearances. A record, I expect will stand for a very long time.

Thanks Charlie God bless you and RIP.

[rob16v]

I don't remember the game...sometime in 62/63...but the forwards were misfiring. Charlie picked up the ball in his own end in front of the Holte and sprinted with it down the pitch. Old bloke near me shouted "Show 'em how it's done Charlie". A wholehearted, skillful player and one of my Villa heroes.

[Godfrey Brian]

Thank you Charlie. Part of the first Villa team I saw. Stuck with us through the tough times and made it back to where we should be. Part of my Villa heritage and I was privileged to play against him once- decades older he was still faster than me.

[Billy Walker]

Very sad news indeed. Rest in peace, Charlie.

[enigma]

Very sad news, one of my favourite ever players, saw him make his debut as a 18 year old in 1961, our all time record holder with 659 appearances. A record, I expect will stand for a very long time.

Thanks Charlie God bless you and RIP.

Not sure that record will ever be beaten. Players just don't tend to stick around at one club that long any more.

[CT Villan]

Very sad to hear this and it makes me wonder what else can we do as a club to immortalize the memories of our heroes. Our 81/82 squads are aging too.

[stubbsyandy]

Really sad news, Charlie was in the team when I started going to Villa as a kid, I will always remember him bombing down the flank..proper player, proper Villa man
RIP and condolences to all his family

[Hopadop]

He seemed to be liked and admired by all.  Sad news, one of the greats has left us.

What a career - all time appearance record for us, then popping over to New York for a swan song with Pele and co.