Aston Villa: triumphs, downfalls and greatness

Aston Villa is a professional English football club founded in 1874. Birmingham has given the world a lot, but Villa is its pride. A team that survived wars, economic crises, changes of eras, but did not break. She changed, she fell, she returned. And she got up again.

Trophies? There are enough of them. Seven Premier League titles. Six FA Cups. Five League Cups. 1982 is the height of glory, when the European Champions Cup ended up in the hands of Villa. But do titles alone define greatness? Absolutely not.

\n
\"True strength is loyalty. Fans don't just support a club - they live it. They haven't been broken by setbacks, haven't been made to doubt by difficult seasons. They're here. They've always been here. They'll be here.\"
\n

\n","sporting_achievements_html":"

Aston Villa: the story from the idea to the first victories

In 1874 four members of a cricket club from a Methodist church in the Aston area decided to try a new game, football. At that time, the sport was still quite \"raw\", without uniform rules, but it quickly captivated people.

Thus was born a team that would later become a legend. It was named \"Aston Villa\" - after the name of the district and with reference to the place of its foundation.

At first, the boys trained on wastelands and played with other amateur clubs. There was no uniform, no funding, just enthusiasm and passion for the game. It was an era when football was not a business, but a sincere passion.

A few years later, \"Villa\" began to participate in tournaments. In 1887, the team won its first major trophy — the FA Cup. This was a turning point. From a modest club, they turned into a serious player on the football map of England.

\n
It is interesting that \"Aston Villa\" was among the founders of the English Football League in 1888 - this emphasizes its influence from the very beginning of the development of professional football in the country.
\n

The team quickly gained respect: they played hard, organized, with character.

\n","club_identity_html":"

Aston Villa Stadium

The heart of the club is Aston Villa Stadium, which is called Villa Park. Since 1897 he has witnessed all the dramas and triumphs. This is not just an arena. This is the place where legends are born, where 42,000 fans create a unique atmosphere.

The stadium survived two world wars, numerous reconstructions and modernizations, but kept its unique soul and traditions.

\n","current_status_and_future_html":"

Aston Villa Achievements

Champion of England – 1894, 1896, 1897, 1899, 1900, 1910, 1981. Triumphs that confirmed the status of the club among the elite.
FA Cup – 1887, 1895, 1897, 1905, 1913, 1920, 1957. Victories won in tense finals where the future was decided.
European Champions Cup – 1982. One year, one team, one top. \"Aston Villa\" did what only the chosen can do.
English League Cup – 1961, 1975, 1977, 1994, 1996. A tournament that tests the strength of the team. It is won by those who do not give up.

\n
\"Each trophy is not just an award, but proof that the club's path is measured not by years, but by great moments.\"
\n

Aston Villa famous players

Paul McGrath. An impenetrable wall. His game did not give chances even to the best attackers. He had no weaknesses, only strength and coolness.
\n
Dwight York. A player who saw the field differently. His style was unexpected, his movements unpredictable. He made opposing defenses look confused.
\n
Gareth Barry. The record holder who did not just go on the field, but lived every match. He was always where he was most needed.
\n
Jack Grealish. The new face of the club, a symbol of renewal. He plays as if \"Villa\" is a part of himself.
\n

Names that have become more than just a part of history. They defined a generation, changed the course of events, laid the foundation for the future.

Aston Villa: interesting facts

Aston Villa is one of the founding clubs of the Premier League in 1992. Her influence on English football is fundamental. Not just a participant, but a creator of history.
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This is the first club in England whose matches have attracted more than 100,000 spectators. Not a game - an event. A symbol is not a command. The atmosphere that fills the stadium was born here long before modern football.
\n
The final of the European Champions Cup? Not a single missed ball. Defense has turned into an art, every moment is a test for the opponents.
\n

\n
\"It was a game to remember for generations. A moment when Aston Villa proved that dreams can become reality.\"
\n

It is worth noting that Aston Villa continues to write its history, balancing between tradition and the modern challenges of the football world. Will the club be able to return to its former glory? The football community is eagerly watching this journey.

\n","logo":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/461_e657905686.png","mime":"image/png","caption":null,"formats":{"large_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_avif_461_e657905686.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"large_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_webp_461_e657905686.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"small_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_avif_461_e657905686.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"small_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_webp_461_e657905686.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"medium_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_avif_461_e657905686.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"medium_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_webp_461_e657905686.webp","mime":"image/webp"}}}},"team_b":{"id":49664,"name":"AFC Bournemouth","short_name":"Bournemouth","tla_name":"BOU","type":"club","gender":"male","status":"active","official_name":"Association Football Club Bournemouth","founded":1890,"colors":"Red,Black","nicknames":"The Cherries,Boscombe","createdAt":"2024-11-04T12:40:25.689Z","updatedAt":"2025-08-11T14:03:15.105Z","website":"http://www.afcb.co.uk","address":"Dean Court, Kings Park","address_city":"Bournemouth","address_zip":"BH7 7AF","locale":"en","stb_id":"afc-bournemouth","tier":null,"description":null,"top_position":null,"history_and_foundation":"## Bournemouth Football Team: Overview\n\n**Bournemouth** isn't a big name in English football, but it's clubs like this **that remind us why people love the game**. It was created in **1899**. **Bournemouth** football club is based in a **picturesque coastal city** in the south of England.\n\nThe team remained **in the shadows** for a long time, performing in the **lower divisions**, but managed to break into the **Premier League** and surprise even skeptics. Her story is not about trophies, but about how **from a small club you can make a strong opponent** for the best.\n\n> \"Bournemouth are proof that size doesn't always matter in football.\"\n","sporting_achievements":"## Bournemouth history: what's interesting\n\nThe first decades **Bournemouth** played in **regional tournaments and lower divisions** of England. The club did not have a **big budget**, but it had something much more important — **stability and support of the city**. In the **20th century**, the team occasionally climbed a few steps higher, but always returned to the place among the outsiders. **This went on for decades**.\n\n**The breakthrough happened in 2009**, when the team was led by a young coach **Eddie Howe**. Then **Bournemouth** played in the **fourth division**, had debts and the threat of losing **professional status**. But that's when **the fairy tale began**.\n\n**In a few years** the club rose to the **Championship**, and in **2015** for the first time in history it entered the **Premier League**. It was an **unheard of breakthrough** — without a lot of money, but with a **clear vision**.\n\n> \"Bournemouth have played in the Premier League for five consecutive seasons, playing attacking, daring football.\"\n\n**Even after relegation** in **2020**, the club did not give up. Already in **2022**, the team returned to the elite and again shows that even a **small club can hold its own** among the strongest.\n","club_identity":"## Bournemouth Stadium\n\nThe home stadium of **Bournemouth** is **\"Vitaleti Stadium\"**, better known under the old name **\"Dean Court\"**. It is one of the **most compact stadiums in the Premier League**, accommodating about **11,000 spectators**. But don't let the size fool you — the atmosphere here is **sincere, lively and very loud**.\n\n**Located** in **a quiet area of Bournemouth**, the stadium is almost **close to residential buildings**. And this is what makes it special - there is no feeling of **\"big show\"**, here - **real football**.\n\n> \"The stands are close to the field, the fans are close to the players, and this closeness is felt in everything.\"\n\n**A new stadium is planned**, but the fans are not in a hurry to say goodbye. Because it was this compact **Dean Court** that witnessed the **loudest period in the club's history**.\n\n## Bournemouth achievements\n\n**Bournemouth** does not have as many trophies as the old-timers of English football, but **the very fact that the club played and plays in the Premier League** is already an achievement:\n\n* **The team's **highest result** in the **Premier League** was **9th place** in the **2016/17** season.\n\n* The club also won **Ligue 1** (Third Division) in **2015**.\n\n* And in the **2021/22** season, he took **second place in the Championship**, which gave him a **direct ticket** back to the elite.\n\n> \"This is a club that has never won gold, but proves every time that winning football is not just about the medals. It's about the way.\"\n","current_status_and_future":"## Bournemouth famous players\n\nMany of the players who came through **Bournemouth** were not stars until they played here:\n\n1. **Callum Wilson** is a striker who **rose from the lower divisions to the England national team**.\n\n2. **Nathan Ake** is a defender who moved from **Bournemouth** to **Manchester City**.\n\n3. And also — **Joshua King, Arthur Boruk, Jack Wilshere**, who in different years added **class and experience**.\n\n**And a special place** is occupied by coach **Eddie Howe**. His name is still spoken with respect - not as a tactician, but as **the architect of modern Bournemouth**. It was he who laid the **foundation of the team** that does not give up.\n\n> \"There are a lot of young players at the club today and Bournemouth continue to give chances to those who have been overlooked.\"\n\n## Bournemouth interesting facts\n\n* **Bournemouth** is the **smallest city** from which a team played in the **Premier League**. Its population is less than **200 thousand**, but this did not prevent the club from competing with the **grands** who have world brands.\n\n* **Another nuance** — at **Dean Court** there used to be only **one grandstand with a roof**, the rest are open. But even in those days people went there as **families**. There was no glamor here, but there was an **atmosphere** that sticks.\n\n* In **2015**, when **Bournemouth** entered the **Premier League**, its **annual transfer budget** was less than the **monthly salary** of some of the stars of **Manchester United**. And this did not prevent him from **surviving and even winning**.\n\n> \"Bournemouth is a reminder that anything is possible in football if there is belief, a plan and people willing to work for their dreams.\"\n\n**It is worth noting** that **Bournemouth** is a **bright example** of how **modesty and persistence** can compete with multi-million dollar budgets. Will the club be able to **establish itself in the elite** for a long time? One thing is certain - the **spirit of Dean Court** and the **philosophy of development** make **Bournemouth** a special place where **every victory** has a **special taste** and **every player** gets a **real chance** to prove himself. This is a club that **proves** that in football **heart and character** can be stronger than **money and fame**.\n","stb_internal_id":"0192f730-d2d6-7902-89c6-1595fcf08eb1","overrides":null,"has_social_media_links":true,"has_social_media_relations":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":true,"has_article_relations":false,"history_and_foundation_html":"

Bournemouth Football Team: Overview

Bournemouth isn't a big name in English football, but it's clubs like this that remind us why people love the game. It was created in 1899. Bournemouth football club is based in a picturesque coastal city in the south of England.

The team remained in the shadows for a long time, performing in the lower divisions, but managed to break into the Premier League and surprise even skeptics. Her story is not about trophies, but about how from a small club you can make a strong opponent for the best.

\n
\"Bournemouth are proof that size doesn't always matter in football.\"
\n

\n","sporting_achievements_html":"

Bournemouth history: what's interesting

The first decades Bournemouth played in regional tournaments and lower divisions of England. The club did not have a big budget, but it had something much more important — stability and support of the city. In the 20th century, the team occasionally climbed a few steps higher, but always returned to the place among the outsiders. This went on for decades.

The breakthrough happened in 2009, when the team was led by a young coach Eddie Howe. Then Bournemouth played in the fourth division, had debts and the threat of losing professional status. But that's when the fairy tale began.

In a few years the club rose to the Championship, and in 2015 for the first time in history it entered the Premier League. It was an unheard of breakthrough — without a lot of money, but with a clear vision.

\n
\"Bournemouth have played in the Premier League for five consecutive seasons, playing attacking, daring football.\"
\n

Even after relegation in 2020, the club did not give up. Already in 2022, the team returned to the elite and again shows that even a small club can hold its own among the strongest.

\n","club_identity_html":"

Bournemouth Stadium

The home stadium of Bournemouth is \"Vitaleti Stadium\", better known under the old name \"Dean Court\". It is one of the most compact stadiums in the Premier League, accommodating about 11,000 spectators. But don't let the size fool you — the atmosphere here is sincere, lively and very loud.

Located in a quiet area of Bournemouth, the stadium is almost close to residential buildings. And this is what makes it special - there is no feeling of \"big show\", here - real football.

\n
\"The stands are close to the field, the fans are close to the players, and this closeness is felt in everything.\"
\n

A new stadium is planned, but the fans are not in a hurry to say goodbye. Because it was this compact Dean Court that witnessed the loudest period in the club's history.

Bournemouth achievements

Bournemouth does not have as many trophies as the old-timers of English football, but the very fact that the club played and plays in the Premier League is already an achievement:

**The team's highest result in the Premier League was 9th place in the 2016/17 season.
\n
The club also won Ligue 1 (Third Division) in 2015.
\n
And in the 2021/22 season, he took second place in the Championship, which gave him a direct ticket back to the elite.
\n

\n
\"This is a club that has never won gold, but proves every time that winning football is not just about the medals. It's about the way.\"
\n

\n","current_status_and_future_html":"

Bournemouth famous players

Many of the players who came through Bournemouth were not stars until they played here:

Callum Wilson is a striker who rose from the lower divisions to the England national team.
\n
Nathan Ake is a defender who moved from Bournemouth to Manchester City.
\n
And also — Joshua King, Arthur Boruk, Jack Wilshere, who in different years added class and experience.
\n

And a special place is occupied by coach Eddie Howe. His name is still spoken with respect - not as a tactician, but as the architect of modern Bournemouth. It was he who laid the foundation of the team that does not give up.

\n
\"There are a lot of young players at the club today and Bournemouth continue to give chances to those who have been overlooked.\"
\n

Bournemouth interesting facts

Bournemouth is the smallest city from which a team played in the Premier League. Its population is less than 200 thousand, but this did not prevent the club from competing with the grands who have world brands.
\n
Another nuance — at Dean Court there used to be only one grandstand with a roof, the rest are open. But even in those days people went there as families. There was no glamor here, but there was an atmosphere that sticks.
\n
In 2015, when Bournemouth entered the Premier League, its annual transfer budget was less than the monthly salary of some of the stars of Manchester United. And this did not prevent him from surviving and even winning.
\n

\n
\"Bournemouth is a reminder that anything is possible in football if there is belief, a plan and people willing to work for their dreams.\"
\n

It is worth noting that Bournemouth is a bright example of how modesty and persistence can compete with multi-million dollar budgets. Will the club be able to establish itself in the elite for a long time? One thing is certain - the spirit of Dean Court and the philosophy of development make Bournemouth a special place where every victory has a special taste and every player gets a real chance to prove himself. This is a club that proves that in football heart and character can be stronger than money and fame.

\n","logo":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/2169_12c653f883.png","mime":"image/png","caption":null,"formats":{"large_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_avif_2169_12c653f883.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"large_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_webp_2169_12c653f883.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"small_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_avif_2169_12c653f883.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"small_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_webp_2169_12c653f883.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"medium_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_avif_2169_12c653f883.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"medium_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_webp_2169_12c653f883.webp","mime":"image/webp"}}}}}}]}

Transfer	Goal	Assists
Milan August 2019 - Now	16	10
Portugal October 2021 - June 2025	1	1

Rafael Leão: Career