BREAKING

Preview: Burton Albion v Aston Villa #avfc

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:

  1. 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.
  2. Karl Wayte, former Burton Albion development player, was yesterday cleared of a murder charge.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Burton’s manager, Gary Rowett, played 86 times for Birmingham City between 1998-2000.  Poor sod.
  6. Rowett replaced former midlands journeyman footballer Paul Peschisolido at the helm.  He is of course married to Karren Brady.  Poor, poor sod.
  7. Burton’s mascot was the first winner of the Mascot Olympics.
  8. 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.
  9. Previous Burton managers of note include Nigel Clough and Neil Warnock.
  10. 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.