The 1896-97 English football season was Aston Villa's 9th season in the Football League. Villa were champions for the third time matching Sunderland's three wins. For good measure, the FA Cup was also won, to make Villa the second team to complete "The Double" after Preston North End in 1888–89. It was the year of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee and the Council had organised celebrations for 22 June 1897. The programme headlined "The Villa with the Cup". To the acclamation of the crowd, the players sat on two long benches, facing each self-consciously, as a horse-drawn wagonette proceeded through Aston with the FA Cup in the centre.

This was the season during which Villa moved from Wellington Road to their current home at Villa Park. With growing crowds, it became increasingly apparent that the existing ground was inadequate. Vice-President, Charlie Johnstone's invaluable foresight was pivotal in the acquisition of Villa Park. The land at the Wellington Road ground had initially been sub-let to the club for £5.00 a year but, as Villa became more successful, the rent kept rising and rising and the landlord would not grant a sufficiently long lease to justify the massive expenditure need to improve the facilities to match the club's ambition. Johnsone acquired an option at the Lower Grounds in Aston long before his other directors were persuaded of its merits. Together with Chairman Fred Rinder they secured the deal to enable the move Villa's new home ground. It was still referred to as 'Aston Lower Grounds' for some time.

The Ever-presents were Charlie Athersmith, Jimmy Cowan, and Fred Wheldon. Villa first reached the top on 28 Nov and used 17 players through out.John Campbell was not quite as productive as in the previous season, and the leading scorer honours went to Fred Wheldon. Fred had been signed in 1896 for £350 from local rivals Small Heath, who had been relegated the previous season. He was a good dribbler with the ball and won four caps for England. He played first class cricket for Worcestershire.

There were debuts for Fred Wheldon (123),https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/player/fred-wheldon Jimmy Whitehousehttps://www.avfchistory.co.uk/player/jimmy-whitehouse and Albert Evans.https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/player/albert-evans

League

A total of 16 teams competed in the 1896–97 Football League. Each team would play every other team twice, once at their stadium, and once at the opposition's. Two points were awarded to teams for each win, one point per draw, and none for defeats.

The season got off to a slow start, with Villa recording only two wins in the first six games. An unbeaten run of 12 games took them to the top, where they finished with a lead of 11 points. The title was won when Derby County F.C. failed to win on 10 April; Villa had three games left to play, all of which were won.

Matches

Source: avfchistory.co.uk

FA Cup

The cup was won by Aston Villa, who defeated Everton 3–2 in the final of the competition, played at Crystal Palace in London. In doing so, Aston Villa became only the second team to have won the Double, as they won the league on the same day as their cup victory (and the only team to do this).

First round The first round proper contained 16 ties between 32 teams. The matches were played on Saturday, 30 January 1897. One match was drawn, with the replay taking place in the following midweek fixture.

Tie noHome teamScoreAway teamDate5Aston Villa5–0Newcastle United30 January 1897

Second round The eight Second Round matches were scheduled for Saturday, 13 February 1897. There was one replay, played in the following midweek fixture.

Tie noHome teamScoreAway teamDate3Aston Villa2–1Notts County13 February 1897

Third round The four Third Round matches were scheduled for Saturday, 27 February 1897. There were two replays, played in the following midweek fixture, of which the Preston North End – Aston Villa match went to a second replay the following week.

Tie noHome teamScoreAway teamDate2Preston North End1–1Aston Villa27 February 1897 ReplayAston Villa0–0Preston North End3 March 1897 ReplayAston Villa3–2Preston North End8 March 1897

Semi-finals The semi-final matches were both played on Saturday, 20 March 1897. Aston Villa and Everton went on to meet in the final at Crystal Palace.

Final

GK Jimmy Whitehouse DF Howard Spencer DF Jack Reynolds MF Albert Evans MF James Cowan MF Jimmy Crabtree FW Charlie Athersmith FW John Devey (c) FW John Campbell FW Fred Wheldon FW John CowanSecretary-Manager: George Ramsay GK Bob Menham DF Peter Meehan DF David Storrier MF Dickie Boyle MF Johnny Holt MF Billy Stewart (c) FW Jack Taylor FW Jack Bell FW Abe Hartley FW Edgar Chadwick FW Alf MilwardManager:Dick Molyneux Birmingham Senior Cup

References

External links Aston Villa official website www.avfchistory.co.uk 1896-97