Aston Villa has entered a new chapter in its global expansion after agreeing a three-year partnership with Visit Rwanda, a deal that will see the country’s tourism brand become the club’s front-of-shirt partner.
The agreement, announced on July 14, 2026, will place the Visit Rwanda logo on the shirts of Aston Villa’s men’s, women’s and academy teams across all competitions. The partnership will also include branding at Villa Park and across the club’s digital and commercial activities.
Under the deal, Visit Rwanda will serve as Aston Villa’s official tourism partner and official coffee provider, while the English club will support football development initiatives in Rwanda.
Aston Villa becomes the latest major football club to partner with Visit Rwanda, following previous collaborations with clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Atlético Madrid.
The partnership comes as Aston Villa continues to strengthen its international profile after returning to the top levels of English and European football.
A club with more than 150 years of history
Founded in Birmingham on November 21, 1874, Aston Villa is one of England’s oldest and most successful football clubs.
The club was established by four members of the Wesleyan Church cricket team — Jack Hughes, Frederick Matthews, Walter Price and William Scattergood — during a period when organised football was still taking shape.
Aston Villa’s first match was against Aston Brook St Mary’s, a rugby team. The game was played under mixed rules, with the first half following rugby regulations and the second half played under football rules. Aston Villa won 1-0, recording the first victory in its history.
The club is widely known by its nicknames “The Villans” and “The Lions.”
One of England’s most decorated clubs
Aston Villa became one of the dominant forces in English football during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The club won its first major trophy, the Birmingham Senior Cup, in 1880 and lifted the FA Cup for the first time in 1887, becoming the first club from the Birmingham area to win the competition.
Aston Villa claimed its first English league title in the 1893/94 season and later secured consecutive championships in 1895/96 and 1896/97.
The club has won the English top-flight title seven times, with its most recent league success coming in the 1980/81 season.
Its greatest achievement came in 1982 when Aston Villa won the European Cup, now known as the UEFA Champions League, defeating Bayern Munich 1-0 in the final.
The club also won the UEFA Super Cup in 1982 after beating Barcelona and lifted the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2001.
Villa Park and modern ambitions
Aston Villa plays its home matches at Villa Park, one of England’s most historic stadiums. Opened in 1897, the stadium currently accommodates more than 43,000 supporters.
The club is owned by V Sports, a sports investment group controlled by Egyptian businessman Nassef Sawiris and American investor Wes Edens.
Spanish coach Unai Emery currently leads the team, while Scotland international John McGinn is captain.
Aston Villa finished fourth in the 2025/26 Premier League season, securing qualification for European competition and reinforcing its return among England’s leading clubs.
Pioneers of English football
Beyond its achievements on the pitch, Aston Villa has played a role in shaping modern football.
In 1885, the club became the first football team known to appoint a professional coach. The role went to George Ramsay, a former player who managed Aston Villa from 1886 to 1926.
During Ramsay’s tenure, the club won six league titles and six FA Cups, establishing one of the most successful eras in its history.
Aston Villa also contributed to the creation of the English Football League. In 1888, club director William McGregor proposed a permanent league competition, leading to the formation of the Football League with 12 founding clubs.
The club was also among the teams that helped establish the Premier League when it launched in 1992.
Records and notable players
Aston Villa’s history includes several record-breaking players.
Charlie Aitken holds the club record for appearances, having played 657 matches between 1959 and 1976.
Harry Hampton remains Aston Villa’s all-time leading scorer with 242 goals, while Ollie Watkins is among the club’s leading active goalscorers.
Jack Grealish holds the record for the club’s highest-value departure after joining Manchester City for £100 million in 2021. Amadou Onana became Aston Villa’s most expensive signing after moving from Everton for £50 million in 2024.
A global partnership for a historic club
The Visit Rwanda partnership links one of England’s most historic football institutions with Rwanda’s efforts to promote tourism and strengthen its international presence.
For Aston Villa, the agreement represents another step in expanding its global reach as the club competes among Europe’s top football teams.
