Just a year after revealing a new club badge, Aston Villa will unveil another new crest to mark their 150th anniversary season.
What do we know about the new Aston Villa badge and the high-flying Premier League club's other commemorations for the hugely significant anniversary?
Why is there a new Aston Villa badge?
Well, it's a little strange, it must be said. A new Aston Villa badge was only adopted at the start of this season, having been revealed in the second half of the 2022/23 season.
That initial badge change followed a major consultation with 21,500+ supporters in which 77% of fans voted for the circle or round design that triumphed. The other options were to keep the old badge or go for a new ‘gas lamp' design.
However, just a few months into using the new circle badge on the club's 2022/23 kits, the Villains have outlined their intention to change again. Few clubs can ever have changed their badge so quickly after doing so in the first place.
“As communicated at the recent meeting of its Fan Advisory Board,” a club statement began, “Aston Villa is planning to re-engage with supporters to explore options for the selection of a permanent new-look crest ahead of the club’s 150th anniversary next year.
“Subsequent to the previous consultation process, the results of which currently adorn the 2023/24 playing and training kits, the club has been assessing the impact of the change from local, global and commercial perspectives and have concluded that the current crest has not had the impact which had been hoped when it was introduced.
“Using the results of that original process as the foundation, the club will again engage with supporters over the coming weeks in order to arrive at a permanent identity for Aston Villa, which delivers the required impact.
“Additionally, as part of a separate process, a special marque will be developed to recognise the club’s 150th anniversary. This anniversary marque will be included on club celebrations acknowledging the rich history of Aston Villa FC.
“Further details of the new consultation process will be announced shortly.”
When will the new Villa badge be released?
Further details on the new consultation process haven't yet been revealed, but Aston Villa have announced the new club crest will be revealed in early 2024.
This is part of wider plans around the club's 150th anniversary season in 2024/25, with celebrations to begin after the final game of this season against Crystal Palace.
“The club are putting together a plan to deliver an unforgettable 2024/25 season that does justice to our beloved club, its storied history and pays tribute to all fans, players and custodians of Aston Villa past and present,” they said.
The 150 day countdown to the celebrations have begun.
“In January, we will announce our 2024/25 Honorary Anniversary Board, a cross-section of former players, managers, community, fan and club representatives, who will work together to prepare our plans for next year.
“In early 2024, we will reveal our new club crest built from the input of 16,000 Villa fans.
“In the spring, we will share an update on our plans for our 2024/25 kit and merchandise.
“In May, we will formally kick off the anniversary at our end of season player awards dinner.”