The 1889–90 English football season saw Aston Villa's 2nd season in the Football League. They started with an unbeaten opening three games including a win over champions Preston, but suffered several defeats after Christmas, winning only one of their six remaining league games to finish 8th.
Scottish centre back, Jimmy Cowan, made his debut, coming from Vale of Leven FC.avfchistory.co.uk 1889–90 season He would go on to make 357 appearances for Villa, his last win seeing Small Heath knocked out of the 1901 FA Cup Quarter-final replay.Jimmy Cowan, 11v11.com There were also debuts for Albert Aldridge, Tom Clarkson, Billy Dickson, Sammy Gray, George Davis, Ike Moore, Arthur Hickton, James Connor, Jack Graham, Lewis Campbell, Bill Dickie and Jim Paton.
As late as 1901, in the warm weather months, Villa would forgo their heavier woollen club colours in favour of thin cotton red shirts.Aston Villa, Sports Argus, 14 September 1901 In the former top tear of English football, home and away Christmas Day fixtures were often played allowing many working people their only chance to watch a game guaranteeing football clubs large crowds. Champions Preston North End faced Aston Villa on Christmas Day 1889. Christmas fixtures were recorded as late as the 1957-58 Football League season. League
FA Cup
1st Round, 18 January 1890, South Shore (Blackpool), Away, Won 4–2 2nd Round, 1 February 1890, Notts County, Away, Lost 1–4 Birmingham Senior Cup
Friendlies A benefit match was held for Small Heath player, Chris Charsley, ahead of his retirement; despite the admission charge being increased for the occasion,Notes on Sport. Birmingham Daily Post. p. 8. 21 April 1890. around 6,000 spectators turned up to watch a schoolboys' match followed by the main attraction. In an encounter described by the Birmingham Daily Post as "perhaps the closest and most exciting ever played on the field", Aston Villa, featuring new signing Tom McKnight, drew 2–2 with a Small Heath eleven.Football. Aston Villa v. Small Heath. Birmingham Daily Post. p. 7. 6 May 1890. A substantial sum was raised.Notes on Sport. Birmingham Daily Post. p. 7. 12 May 1890.
References
External links avfchistory.co.uk The Matches