Why are Aston Villa wearing black shirts at home for FA Cup clash against West Ham?
DO not adjust your TV sets – Aston Villa are playing in an all-black strip at home to West Ham in the FA Cup.
The big third round clash at Villa Park is commemorating an incredible milestone for the West Midlands club.
Villa boss Unai Emery has had an up and down season in the Premier League this season, but the Villans have impressed in the Champions League and the Spaniard will be looking for another cup run to galvanise his side.
While for the visitors, new boss Graham Potter is in the dugout for his Hammers debut.
Potter replaced Julen Lopetegui, who was sacked after just six months in the job.
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
Why are Aston Villa wearing all-black shirts?
Aston Villa are paying homage to their first kit colourway on their milestone 150th anniversary.
To mark the occasion – almost to the day as the club’s first-ever recorded fixture – Villa are wearing a one-off all-black strip against West Ham in the FA Cup tonight.
Black is the colour Villa wore first before transitioning into the famous claret and blue.
Villa were the first team in the UK to put a crest on their shirts in 1878, and the badge on the anniversary shirt is in tribute to the original Scottish lion which has been redrawn from one of the earliest sources seen.
The special kit worn tonight against the Hammers also does not have any sponsors on the front of the shirt.
Branding will be on the back of the shirt, with Villa saying: “Principal partners Betano and Trade Nation have both kindly donated their branding space back to the club for the fixture, allowing us to create this historic look.”
The commemorative strip also has an additional symbol on the front of the shirt inspired by Villa Park’s stained glass windows.
The shirt can be bought online at Aston Villa’s official club shop.
