1897–98 Aston Villa F.C. season

English football club season November 2014 November 2014 Aston Villa 1897–98 George Ramsay Ground Wellington Road Football League 6th FA Cup First round Fred Wheldon (21) 1896–97 1898–99 First Division Sheffield United (1st English title) Fred Wheldon, 21 goals 50,000 (15 January 1898) Aston Villa 1–2 Sheffield United 1,000 (13 November 1897)West Brom 2–1 Liverpool 1896–97 1898–99 History of Aston Villa F.C. (1874–1961) Aston Villa F.C. records thumb|left|150px|Fred Wheldon, League top scorer, pictured in 1897 The 1897–98 English football season was Aston Villa's 10th season in the Football League. Villa, the reigning champions, played in the First Division, the top flight of English football. The season fell in what was to be called Villa's golden era.http://www.avfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ClubHistory/0,,10265~423103,00.html Aston Villa Club History 1900 – 1939 AVFC.co.uk 2007-10-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20060824144935/http://www.avfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ClubHistory/0%2C%2C10265~423103%2C00.html 24 August 2006 dead First-class cricketer https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/29/29051/29051.html Jack Devey www.cricketarchive.com 23 July 2015 and England football international Jack Devey was Captain. Jimmy Crabtree also captained the team.AVFC History: 1897–98 season "Diamond" Freddie Wheldon was League top scorer with 21. Billy Garraty, great-great grandfather of future-player Jack Grealish, made his league debut for Aston Villa during the season but made just one other appearance that year.https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-v-arsenal-1905-9067929 Aston Villa v Arsenal: This 1905 FA Cup winner is related to a current Villa star – find out who Mat Kendrick Birmingham Mail 26 May 2015 15 August 2018https://englandstats.com/players.php?pid=380 Player info: William Garraty Englandstats.com Davey Naylor 15 August 2018 15 August 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190815012337/https://englandstats.com/players.php?pid=380 dead Other debuts were James Fisher,https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/first-team/player/james-fisher James Fisher | Player IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Jack Sharp,https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/first-team/player/jack-sharp Jack Sharp | Player IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Bert Sharp,https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/first-team/player/bert-sharp Bert Sharp | Player IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Billy George,https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/first-team/player/billy-george Billy George | Player IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Howard Harvey,https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/first-team/player/howard-harvey Howard Harvey | Player IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Jimmy Suddick,https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/first-team/player/jimmy-suddick Jimmy Suddick | Player IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Tommy Bowman,https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/first-team/player/tommy-bowman Tommy Bowman | Player IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Edmund Strange,https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/first-team/player/edmund-strange Edmund Strange | Player IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 George Johnsonhttps://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/first-team/player/george-johnson George Johnson | Player IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 and Charlie Aston.https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/first-team/player/charlie-aston Charlie Aston | Player IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/villa-seasons Aston Villa's Seasons AVFC History George Ramsay would continue in charge of the team picked by the Management Committee. First Division 1897–98 Football League First Division AVL 1 September 1897 Match 1 Aston Villa 5–2 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/312 Sheffield Wednesday W 🟩 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1896-97-villa-1-0-preston-north-end-a Preston North End 0-1 Aston Villa | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Jack Cowan; Fred Wheldon (3); Charlie Athersmith Wellington Road 4 September 1897 Match 2 Aston Villa 4–3 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/313 West Bromwich Albion W 🟩 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-5-2-sheffield-wednesday Aston Villa 5-2 Sheffield Wednesday | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Fred Wheldon (3); James Fisher Wellington Road 11 September 1897 Match 3 Notts County 2–3 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/314 Aston Villa W 🟩 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-4-3-west-bromwich-albion Aston Villa 4-3 West Bromwich Albion | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Jimmy Cowan (2); Jack Devey Trent Bridge 18 September 1897 Match 4 Aston Villa 3–1 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/315 Bury W 🟩 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-3-2-notts-county-a Notts County 2-3 Aston Villa | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 James Fisher (2); Fred Wheldon Wellington Road 25 September 1897 Match 5 Blackburn Rovers 4–3 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/316 Aston Villa L 🟥 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-3-1-bury Aston Villa 3-1 Bury | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Jack Cowan; Fred Wheldon (2) Ewood Park 27 September 1897 Match 6 Sheffield Wednesday 3–0 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/317 Aston Villa L 🟥 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-3-4-blackburn-rovers-a Blackburn Rovers 4-3 Aston Villa | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Olive Grove 2 October 1897 Match 7 Aston Villa 3–2 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/318 Bolton Wanderers W 🟩 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-0-3-sheffield-wednesday-a Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 Aston Villa | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Jack Sharp (2); Fred Wheldon Wellington Road 9 October 1897 Match 8 West Bromwich Albion 1–1 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/319 Aston Villa D 🟨 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-3-2-bolton-wanderers Aston Villa 3-2 Bolton Wanderers | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Jack Sharp Stoney Lane 16 October 1897 Match 9 Aston Villa 4–2 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/320 Notts County W 🟩 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-1-1-west-bromwich-albion-a West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Aston Villa | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Jack Devey; Jack Sharp (2); Fred Wheldon Wellington Road 23 October 1897 Match 10 Sunderland 0–0 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/321 Aston Villa D 🟨 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-4-2-notts-county Aston Villa 4-2 Notts County | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Newcastle Road 30 October 1897 Match 11 Aston Villa 3–1 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/322 Liverpool W 🟩 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-0-0-sunderland-a Sunderland 0-0 Aston Villa | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Fred Wheldon; Charlie Athersmith; Jack Devey Wellington Road 6 November 1897 Match 12 Preston North End 3–1 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/323 Aston Villa L 🟥 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-3-1-liverpool Aston Villa 3-1 Liverpool | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Charlie Athersmith Deepdale 13 November 1897 Match 13 Aston Villa 3–0 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/324 Everton W 🟩 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-1-3-preston-north-end-a Preston North End 3-1 Aston Villa | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Fred Wheldon (2); Jack Sharp Wellington Road 20 November 1897 Match 14 Bolton Wanderers 2–0 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/325 Aston Villa L 🟥 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-3-0-everton Aston Villa 3-0 Everton | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Pike's Lane 27 November 1897 Match 15 Aston Villa 4–3 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/326 Sunderland W 🟩 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-0-2-bolton-wanderers-a Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Aston Villa | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Howard Harvey (2); Fred Wheldon (2) Wellington Road 11 December 1897 Match 16 Aston Villa 5–1 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/327 Blackburn Rovers W 🟩 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-4-3-sunderland Aston Villa 4-3 Sunderland | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Jimmy Crabtree; Fred Wheldon; Charlie Athersmith; Jimmy Cowan; Jack Cowan Wellington Road 18 December 1897 Match 17 Stoke 0–0 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/328 Aston Villa D 🟨 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-5-1-blackburn-rovers Aston Villa 5-1 Blackburn Rovers | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Victoria Ground 25 December 1897 Match 18 Everton 2–1 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/329 Aston Villa L 🟥 Aston Villa's Christmas fixture was away at Everton kicking off at 11:00am. Wheldon, kit man Joe Grierson and Jimmy and John Cowan were travelling to the station when their coach and horse overturned. Playing a crucial game short of players and without kit was not an option but missing a match would incur a fine of £250 (roughly £40,000 in 2026). By the time they arrived, their 8:50am train had departed leaving Vice-President Charlie Johnstone and the rest of the team on the platform. The only option was to take a train to Stafford where they told a special would take them onwards to Liverpool. However once at Stafford, they found there was no train arranged. Johnstone took control and was able to bribe their train's driver, stoker and guard with seats in the director's box, dinner and half a sovereign each if they would continue the train to Liverpool. The game kicked off ten minutes late. Johnstone was unable to guarantee a victory.From the Archives: Christmas transport chaos from 1897https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-0-0-stoke-city-a Stoke City 0-0 Aston Villa | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Fred Wheldon Goodison Park 27 December 1897 Match 19 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–1 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/330 Aston Villa D 🟨 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-1-2-everton-a Everton 2-1 Aston Villa | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Charlie Athersmith Molineux 8 January 1898 Match 20 Sheffield United 1–0 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/331 Aston Villa L 🟥 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-1-1-wolverhampton-wanderers-a Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Aston Villa | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Bramall Lane 15 January 1898 Match 21 Aston Villa 1–2 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/332 Sheffield United L 🟥 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-0-1-sheffield-united-a Sheffield United 1-0 Aston Villa | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Fred Wheldon Wellington Road 22 January 1898 Match 22 Derby County 3–1 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/333 Aston Villa L 🟥 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-1-2-sheffield-united Aston Villa 1-2 Sheffield United | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Bert Sharp Baseball Ground 5 February 1898 Match 23 Aston Villa 4–0 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/334 Preston North End W 🟩 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-1-3-derby-county-a Derby County 3-1 Aston Villa | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Jimmy Suddick; Fred Wheldon; Charlie Athersmith; Jack Sharp Wellington Road 5 March 1898 Match 24 Aston Villa 4–1 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/335 Derby County W 🟩 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-0-1-derby-county-a Derby County 1-0 Aston Villa | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Steve Smith; James Fisher; Jack Sharp; Unknown Wellington Road 12 March 1898 Match 25 Bury 1–2 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/336 Aston Villa W 🟩 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-4-0-preston-north-end Aston Villa 4-0 Preston North End | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Jack Sharp; Fred Wheldon Gigg Lane 26 March 1898 Match 26 Nottingham Forest 3–1 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/337 Aston Villa L 🟥 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-4-1-derby-county Aston Villa 4-1 Derby County | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 James Fisher Town Ground 2 April 1898 Match 27 Aston Villa 1–1 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/338 Stoke D 🟨 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-2-1-bury-a Bury 1-2 Aston Villa | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Jack Sharp Wellington Road 11 April 1898 Match 28 Aston Villa 1–2 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/339 Wolverhampton Wanderers L 🟥 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-1-3-nottingham-forest-a Nottingham Forest 3-1 Aston Villa | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Fred Wheldon Wellington Road 16 April 1898 Match 29 Liverpool 4–0 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/340 Aston Villa L 🟥 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-1-1-stoke-city Aston Villa 1-1 Stoke City | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Anfield 30 April 1898 Match 30 Aston Villa 2–0 https://www.avdb.co.uk/game/341 Nottingham Forest W 🟩 https://avdb.co.uk/aston-villa/matches/first-team/1897-98-villa-1-2-wolverhampton-wanderers Aston Villa 1-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers | Match IQ | AVDB Aston Villa Database 13 October 2026 Steve Smith; George Johnson Wellington Road FA Cup 1897–98 FA Cup The first round proper contained sixteen ties between 32 teams. The matches were played on Saturday, 29 January 1898. One match was drawn, with the replay taking place in the following midweek fixture. Tie noHome teamScoreAway teamDate11Derby County1–0Aston Villa29 January 1898 Birmingham Senior Cup Birmingham Senior Cup Staffordshire Cup Matches played by Aston Villa included a 6–1 victory over West Bromwich Albion.Aston Villa Sports Argus 28 October 1899 4 References External links Aston Villa official website Season IQ | AVDB Category:Aston Villa F.C. seasons Aston Villa F.C.