1879–80 Aston Villa F.C. season

The 1879–80 English football season saw Aston Villa's first ever FA Cup tie ^[1] On Saturday 13 December 1879 Villa faced Stafford Road F.C., of the Stafford Road railway works, Wolverhampton. The match was played before a crowd of 2,000 at Stafford's Half-Way House Ground.^[1] As the start of the official record, in 2024, celebrating the club's 150th anniversary, Aston Villa Legacy Numbers were introduced indexing every player who had represented the club in a first-class competitive fixture.^[2] Although playing before shirt numbers were introduced in 1926, Goalkeeper John Ball received Legacy Number 1.^[3] Andy Hunter #4 ^[4] officially became Villa's first goal-scorer in the 1-1 draw. There were also first-class debuts for William Crossland #2,^[5] Harry Simmonds #11,^[6] Tommy Pank #10,^[7] Sammy Law #7,^[8] Ted Lee #8,^[9] Eli Davis #3,^[10] Billy Mason #9,^[11] Archie Hunter #5 ^[12] and Charlie Johnstone #6.^[13][14]

J. Hughes was Aston Villa's umpire in the last season before a referee would be appointed before the match. Originally team captains would consult each other in order to resolve any dispute on the pitch. Eventually this role was delegated to an umpire. Each team would bring their own partisan umpire allowing the team captains to concentrate on the game. In 1881, the referee, a third "neutral" official was added; this referee would be "referred to" if the umpires could not resolve a dispute. The referee did not take his place on the pitch until 1891, when the umpires became linesmen (now assistant referees).

For the replay, inside-forward and future manager George Ramsay #12 replaced Johnstone.^[15] Ramsay had joined Villa in 1876. The 21-year-old came across a Villa players' practice match whilst taking a stroll in Aston Park. When asked to make up the numbers, they were amazed by his display of close ball control. Ramsay was invited to join the club and he soon he became captain.^[16] Word spread about how fine a player Ramsay was, spectators began turning up to watch the little man nicknamed 'Scotty'. He also took charge of training which saw dramatic improvement in results, introducing what was known as the "passing game". This had become the main style of play in Scotland whereas in England most teams relied on what was known as the "dribbling game".^[17]

The replay was held at Villa's Wellington Road ground in Perry Bar on 24 January 1880. Villa defeated Stafford Road 3–1. Billy Mason scored a brace with Sammy Law getting the third goal.^[15]

Villa's first attempt to win the FA Cup ended in controversy and confusion. Villa were drawn to play the then-successful Oxford University but had lost the toss for home status in the third round tie.^[15][18] Perhaps feeling that it was a waste of time spending good money on travel expenses for a match they felt they would lose, the Villa board took the decision to 'scratch' (forfeit) the game.

This season, nine years before the creation of the Football League, Villa collected their first ever piece of silverware, the Birmingham Senior Cup. They defeated Saltley College 3–2 in the final with goals from Eli Davis, William Mason and George Ramsay in front of 6,000 at Aston Lower Grounds (modern-day Villa Park).^[19]

One unofficial "Second City derby" occurred on 27 September 1879, when Villa played Small Heath Alliance. The game, on a pitch at Small Heath's Muntz Street ground described by the Villa players as "only suitable for pot-holing",^[20] finished 1–0 – recorded as "one goal and a disputed goal to nil"^[21] – to the home side.^[22]

• 1st Round bye
• 13 December 1879 2nd Round v Stafford Road^[23] (A) 1–1 ^[1]
• 24 January 1880 (Replay) v Stafford Road (H) 3–1 ^[15]
• 3rd Round v Oxford University (A) — (Villa 'scratched')