Tag: Castore

One of my most popular posts of 2024 was an in depth look at the Kit History of one club, in that case it was Crystal Palace. The next club that I want to take a closer look at is Aston Villa, a club who is celebrating it’s 150th Year Anniversary in 2025, so given that feels like a good time for us to take this time and celebrate all things Football Kit with them.

With these review we look at the manufacturers, the kits, the highs and lows over the years. I will start these reviews from 1970’s where Kit Manufacturer details become more prevalent in kit design and for the moment will only look at the club’s Home Kits (maybe change kits will come in the future).

Kit History Overview

• Umbro – 1974 to 1981
• Le Coq Sportif – 1981 to 1985
• Henson – 1985 to 1987
• Hummel – 1987 to 1990
• Umbro – 1990 to 1993
• Asics – 1993 to 1995
• Reebok – 1995 to 2000
• Diadora – 2000 to 2004
• Hummel – 2004 to 2007
• Nike – 2007 to 2012
• Macron – 2012 to 2016
• Under Armour – 2016 to 2018
• Luke 1977 – 2018 to 2019
• Kappa – 2019 to 2022
• Castore – 2022 to 2024
• Adidas – 2024 –

That makes 16 changes in Kit Manufacturer, with 14 different Kit Makers over a 50 year period, another reason why Aston Villa a great club to look in their Kit History in more depth.

Umbro – 1974 to 1981

Aston Villa like many clubs went through minimal change in kit design since the early 1900s, the traditional claret body, with sky blue sleeves for the shirt, white shorts and it was the socks that saw the most change, with claret, white and blue all used!

The first brand to appear on the shirt was Umbro and they are one of only two brands to have two separate stints as manufacturer of the club. Their Home Kit remaining in place through out this seven year period, the only change in this time was the update to the Umbro logo for the final couple of years of the kit’s life.

Le Coq Sportif – 1981 to 1985

It is time for the first change of Kit Manufacturer for Villa and it is a continental change with French Brand Le Coq Sportif providing kits for the next four years. For the first time there was more than one kit design by a manufacturer in this period. The first version of the shirt, worn between 1981 and 1983, had the classic sky blue sleeve look but with blue also playing through the body of the shirt, giving almost an “Ajax” look to the kit, however there were a couple of changes to this shirt over this time which include the club’s first shirt sponsorship and a change of logo placement for European games. The Le Coq Sportif logo mainly placed on the sleeves of the life of this kit but appeared in a more traditional position in 1983 European games.

In 1983 the second Le Coq Sportif Kit was first significant change in kit look at Aston Villa went through, the sky blue sleeves were removed, with the kit in main being a claret shirt, with sky blue side panels and a deep “V” collar panel to give new look. The kit was initially worn with claret shorts and sky blue socks, however in the 1984 / 85 season, the final season with the French brand, white shorts returned as first choice look.

Henson – 1985 to 1987

If you were playing “Pointless” on who produced Aston Villa Kits through out their history, I would place a significant amount on Henson being your Pointless answer… The Icelandic company seemingly came out of nowhere to produce kits for Villa and produce another look that stepped away from tradition, the claret shirt was paired with two Sky Blue (with white trim) horizontal stripes across chest and down the arms for an interesting design look and choice. Another interesting choice in this kit was the removal of the club crest in the shirt, replacing it with “AVFC” wordmark, which gives some symmetry with brand name, but I am not sure something like that would go down well with fans nowadays – Club crest did remain on the shorts.

Hummel – 1987 to 1990

The second of the manufacturers to have two spells providing kits for the club was Hummel and the first kit they provided was one of those classic kit looks of the 1980s, the Hummel “Mexico” template, this version being in the club’s Claret and Sky Blue for a unique take on the club’s home kit! Worn over two season, one with claret shorts and sky blue socks and one with white shorts and socks!

Hummel’s final season in this stint with the club, 1989 / 90 was the first time since 1982 / 83 season that the traditional Sky Blue sleeves returned for a much more simple look in terms of design, but one that works really well.

Umbro – 1990 to 1993

Umbro return as the club’s kit manufacturer in 1990, with an interesting design. The sleeves contained some additional claret detailing, Umbro also brought back a collar to the shirt, this was the first shirt to have a collar since Umbro first stint with the club in 1981.

1992, and we are now in The Premier League Era and this season was the final season with Umbro but they produced what is my favourite Aston Villa Home Kit through out their history and one that I did not realise was used for just the single season! The laced collar, the claret hoop around the neck, the contrasting hoops on the sleeves, one the finest Umbro kits of this period, simply wonderful homage to early Kit History of the club.

Asics – 1993 to 1995

Another change of manufacturer and it is now over the Japanese kit maker Asics to take the reins for the club, one of several clubs they supplied at this time, and their Home Kit was a template that was used by most of these clubs, however Villa were the only team that had this as their Home Kit look. The shirt was a claret shirt with thin sky blue stripes. This kit was worn for the two seasons that Asics supplied their kits.

Reebok – 1995 to 2000

Aston Villa were one of the two major clubs that Reebok started supplying in 1995 (the other being Liverpool) and ended providing kits for them for five season. The first Reebok kit was worn for two season from 1995 to 1997, this is the final time that Aston Villa have used a Home Kit for more than one season.

A new kit each season for the next three years with Reebok… the design remained fairly consistent until 1999, classic sky blue sleeves with small changes to collars and Reebok logo, the biggest change would be around socks with claret, hooped and sky blue socks all being default looks with these kits.

1999 was a season where there was another significant change in kit design with thick stripes being used in the shirt, paired with claret shorts and socks. There was also a move of the Club Crest and logo to be central in the shirt, the first time the crest had been placed there since 1983. A Kit look which is one of my favourite looks, but not sure is one for the traditionalists.

Diadora – 2000 to 2004

The 21st Century starts and it is a change of manufacturer again, this time it is the turn of Italian Brand Diadora, they supplied kits over four seasons and each of those years gave us a new home kit look! The first was a return after the Stripes to a more traditional look in terms of the shirt but blue shorts and claret socks were used in it’s default look, the central Club Crest remained for this season.

2001 / 02 Season was another shift in kit look, with claret shirt with blue trim used, the first use of a predominantly claret shirt since the mid 80s. However this was quick replaced with a more traditional look the following season and there was little change apart from use of sock colour again in Diadora’s final season.

Hummel – 2004 to 2007

The second of the manufacturers to have two stints supplying the club was Hummel and they returned in 2004 for another three seasons. Although maybe not quite as memorable as their first spell these three years were all about the “chevrons”. In their first season back the chevron were placed down the sleeves to give a wonderful classic Hummel look, the rest of the kit was very simple and a classic Aston Villa in its appearance. The second season, 2005 / 06 the chevrons moved the side panels for a really interesting design choice which continued into the shorts in a claret panel and also contained some yellow / gold trim, something different in terms of look and one that I really liked!

The final Hummel season was almost a combination of the two previous kits, the side panel chevrons remained, however the colours were reversed, so claret chevrons in a sky blue panel on both shirts and shorts, the yellow trim was removed

Nike – 2007 to 2012

In 2007 it was time for US Sports Giant Nike to take over as Kit Manufacturer and it was for five seasons, with a new Home Kit in each of these years. For the first three seasons there was little to talk about with the Kits, simple and very traditional looking Aston Villa kits, with minimal changes between round and “V” neck collar, trim on shorts and socks.

When we get to 2010, there is more of an interesting take in terms of design, the side panels return however in this case it is a claret / blue check pattern that used in the shorts and socks as well as the shirts, reminiscent of the final two Hummel kits a few years previous. In the following season and the final one of the Nike years was certainly the most stand out in terms of Kit design, the checked pattern was taken a step further and the shirt had full checked pattern. The most interesting part of the kit was the socks, the default look saw Villa use black socks for the first time since the 1950s to top off a nice looking overall kit, the best of the Nike years and one of my favourite Aston Villa looks.

Macron – 2012 to 2016

Italian Kit manufacturer Macron were the next provide of Aston Villa kits, this deal was over four season and as is now the norm, there was a new Home Kit in every one of these seasons. In the main there was very little change over these years, the most significant design choice was the return of the “Ajax” style shirt in 2013 / 14, this would have been the first time this look was used since the Le Coq Sportif period 30 years prior. In 2014 / 15 season, there was a blue pinstripe within shirt for something different. One highlight of the Macron years was the use of hooped socks, each of the four kits using this look and something not seen since 1998 with one of the Reebok kits.

Under Armour – 2016 to 2018

US manufacturer Under Armour were the next brand to produce Villa Kits with a two year deal with the club. A trend we have seen is for manufacturers to provide something of simple and classic look for the club in their first season, and this one from Under Armour was no different, a nice looking kit but no surprises in its appearance. The 2017 / 18 Kit, was a slightly different shade of claret with a subtle Lion pattern repeating through the shirt, and was paired with claret socks… so both colour socks were used in the two seasons.

Luke 1977 – 2018 to 2019

The 2018 / 19 season was one of the most interesting of Aston Villa’s Kit History, the middle season of three consecutive seasons with different Kit Manufacturers. Produce by Local clothing brand Luke 1977 (Owner Luke Roper is a fan of the club) and sportswear manufacturers Fanatics. The kit itself was a stripped back kit, simple in its design with it’s claret body, with thick claret stripes and delivered a classic look with a nod to the Le Coq Sportif Kit from 1984 with the sky blue side panels and was worn with the club winning promotion back to the Premier League via the playoffs after three seasons in The Championship.

Kappa – 2019 to 2022

2019 / 20 season started with Aston Villa in their 3rd different kit brand in the last three years, Italian manufacturer Kappa now being suppliers. Kappa and Villa for me was a partnership that delivered every season they were together, the club colours and that Iconic logo just seem to work together! The kits, much like the Luke 1977 Kits were simple and classy in design, the Kappa logo on sleeves and shorts works so well with this look. In 2020 / 21 season, saw a slight change in the shade of blue and simplistic look of Kappa kits remain for another nice looking Kit.

The final Kappa Kit is my favourite of their offering, bringing back the short logos but also introducing a subtle stripping within the kit giving us a new take on the classic look, this would definitely make it into my top 3 Aston Villa Kits of all time, a wonderful Kit and not since the Nike years has we seen the best offering by a manufacturer to be in their final kit with the club.

Castore – 2022 to 2024

Castore became the club’s 13th Kit Manufacturer, unlucky for some… Kappa was always going to be a tough follow which was not going to help Castore. In terms of design, both kits over these two seasons were safe options, sticking to tried and tested formula. Personally I preferred the look of the 2022 / 23 Kit, the shoulder panels used in 2023 / 24 is something seen used over the Kit History of the club, the claret trim breaking up the sleeve and shoulder panels nicely. The contract with the manufacturer was eventually cut short due complaints around quality of the kits from players (and fans) which has not helped the overall relationship between Castore and Aston Villa.

Adidas – 2024 to ?

This takes us to this season and with the Castore deal ended earlier than expected Adidas stepped into to provide the Kits for Villa. The first kit was one that appears to have made some slight changes in the shades of claret and blue, the claret appearing a lot darker that we have seen before and the blue a little lighter than usual to give a more of a contrast between the club colours, a nice start to a Kit Deal that will continue over the coming years.

A special mention to one more kit, Adidas also supplied the club with a one off 150th Anniversary kit and it took inspiration from the club’s first kit, Black shirts, white shorts and black socks also paired with Red Lion for the club’s crest. The Kit was worn in the FA Cup 3rd Round tie at Home to West Ham United on 10th January 2025 and was worn with no sponsor, a blacked out Adidas Logo and just numbers, no player names.

There we have it, 51 years, 40 kits, 14 manufacturers… what are you favourite Aston Villa Kits from over the years and what clubs would you like to see feature in future Kit History Deep Dives, let me know your thoughts in the comments below or over at my Socials…

X – @kit_geek or Bluesky – Kit Geek

As part of my research of this article I used the following for sourcing information:

• True Colours : Volume One
• Historical Football Kits
• Aston Villa F.C. Website