Football is officially back! The fires are well and truly being stoked for a new season and Villa today head to Burton Albion for their first workout of pre-season.
Whilst little, if anything, can be read into the game itself, it at least gives us all a reason to pull on our colours, and remind ourselves what it’s like to have a purpose come 3pm Saturday!
As Burton are not exactly part of the regular schedule, here’s a bit of information for the anoraks amongst us:
- Whilst Villa will be sporting their “marmite” lime away kit today, Burton will also be wearing their new sky blue away strip. They normally turn out in Oxford/Watford style yellow for home fixtures.
- Karl Wayte, former Burton Albion development player, was yesterday cleared of a murder charge.
- To get fit the Burton squad have been receiving training and bootcamp sessions from the British Armed Forces. Serving officers have been putting todays opponents through rigorous training.
- Burton finished mid-table in League 2 last term. However, new signing Damien McCrory has been making noises about ambitions to be promoted this season.
- Burton’s manager, Gary Rowett, played 86 times for Birmingham City between 1998-2000. Poor sod.
- Rowett replaced former midlands journeyman footballer Paul Peschisolido at the helm. He is of course married to Karren Brady. Poor, poor sod.
- Burton’s mascot was the first winner of the Mascot Olympics.
- John McGrath, who made 3 appearances for the Villa 1st team as a youngster, has turned out the highest number of times for Burton in the football league. He is the club captain and will likely feature today.
- Previous Burton managers of note include Nigel Clough and Neil Warnock.
- Burton held Manchester United to a goalless draw in the FA Cup 3rd round in 2006. The United team included Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gerard Pique no less.
Roll on 3pm.