Aston Villa 1976/81 Away Shirt

Description

Away shirt worn by Aston Villa F.C. between 1976 and 1981, a remarkable period that saw the club transformed by manager Ron Saunders from a recently promoted side into champions of England.

The shirt features a crisp white base complemented by a blue and maroon striped collar and matching cuffs. Blue and maroon detailing runs down the sleeves, incorporating Aston Villa’s traditional colours into a clean and distinctive away design that became associated with one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.

The era began with Aston Villa establishing themselves as a force in English football during the 1976–77 season. Led by prolific striker Andy Gray, who scored 29 goals in all competitions, Villa finished 4th in the First Division and lifted the League Cup after a dramatic final victory over Everton F.C.. Gray’s performances earned him both the PFA Players' Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards.

Villa continued to make progress in 1977–78, reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup before narrowly losing to FC Barcelona in an entertaining tie. While league form dipped, Saunders began reshaping the squad with signings such as goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer and defender Ken McNaught, laying the foundations for future success.

The following two seasons saw Villa consolidate and refine their squad. Emerging talents such as Gary Shaw began to establish themselves, while important additions including Tony Morley and Des Bremner strengthened the team. Despite the departure of Andy Gray and the unfortunate injury retirement of fan favourite Brian Little, Villa continued moving steadily towards the summit of English football.

The pinnacle arrived in 1980–81 when Aston Villa captured their first First Division title in 71 years. Saunders famously relied on an exceptionally small squad, using just 14 players throughout the league campaign. Led by captain Dennis Mortimer and inspired by the goals of Peter Withe and Gary Shaw, Villa edged out Ipswich Town F.C. to secure the championship and book their place in the following season’s European Cup.

Worn during the club’s rise from domestic challengers to league champions, this away shirt represents the foundations of Aston Villa’s golden era under Ron Saunders. It stands as a reminder of the team that restored Villa to the top of English football and paved the way for the club’s greatest triumphs in the years that followed.

Specification & Sizes

Sizing Notice These retro shirts tend to be tighter fitting than modern cuts. We recommend ordering a size up for a more comfortable fit. For example if you are size large order a size XL.

Size	Length (CM)	Pit to Pit (CM)
S	71	51
M	73	53
L	75	55
XL	77	57
XXL	81	60

This chart is intended as a guide, minor deviations can be expected. Length is measured from the top of the shoulder to the hem, width is measured between armpits. All measurements are in cm.

Delivery & Returns

Free Shipping Worldwide Every order ships free, no minimum spend required.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Dispatch 3–4 business days Delivery 5–7 business days

🌍 International

Dispatch 3–4 business days Delivery 10–14 business days

Full universal tracking is provided with every order. If you believe delivery has failed, please contact the courier first using your tracking link, then reach out to us at [email protected].

For full details including lost packages, damaged items and incorrect address policies, view our Shipping Policy.

Washing Instructions

Care Instructions To keep your shirt looking its best for years to come, please follow these guidelines carefully.

🌡️ Temperature

Wash at 30°C maximum. Higher temperatures can damage the fabric, fade colours, and crack printed lettering.

🔄 Cycle

Use a gentle or delicate cycle only. Avoid heavy spin cycles which can distort the shirt shape.

👕 Inside Out

Always turn the shirt inside out before washing to protect the back print, badges, and any embroidery.

🧴 Detergent

Use a mild liquid detergent. Avoid powder detergents, bleach, or fabric softeners as these can degrade print quality.

💨 Drying

Air dry only — lay flat or hang away from direct sunlight. Do not tumble dry as heat will shrink fabric and damage prints.

🔥 Ironing

Do not iron directly over printed areas or badges. If needed, iron on the reverse side only using a low heat setting.

Do not dry clean. Do not wring or twist. Wash separately from items with zips or rough textures that could snag the fabric.

⚠️ Back Print & Badge Care Printed names, numbers, and woven badges are particularly sensitive to heat and abrasion. Always wash inside out, never iron over them directly, and avoid contact with rough surfaces during washing.

Why choose us?

High-Quality

Our shirts are premium retro-style kits from football history. They are modern recreations made to celebrate the classic designs fans love.

Iconic Designs from Football History

From 1970s classics to 1990s fan favourites, our collection covers some of the most legendary kits ever worn, carefully recreated so you can wear a piece of football history.

Fair & Transparent Pricing

We price our shirts fairly with no hidden fees or inflated markups. What you see is what you pay, simple and honest.

Free Worldwide Shipping

Every order ships free, no matter where you are in the world. No minimum spend, no exceptions.

Fan-First Service

Whether you're a seasoned collector or buying your first retro shirt, we're here to help. Reach us anytime at [email protected]