Aston Villa have released a brilliant launch video for their kit, featuring music icon Ozzy Osbourne wearing a replica shirt and Emiliano Martinez dusting off his acting skills.
England striker Ollie Watkins and manager Unai Emery also deliver inspired performances in the clip that has already caused a sensation among football fans on social media.
The Midlands outfit have been active in this summer’s transfer window, announcing the arrival of Belgium international Amadou Onana for £50m on Monday, having signed Chelsea striker Ian Maatsen for £37.5m last month.
They begin their campaign on August 17 away to West Ham and will be eager to start a strong 2023-24 season in which they finished fourth.
And excitement for the upcoming campaign has only increased following the unveiling of the club’s fun kit launch video this morning.
Aston Villa have released a brilliant kit launch video, featuring Ozzy Osbourne wearing a replica shirt
Emiliano Martínez also delivers an assured acting performance in the dressing room
Following his heroics for England, striker Ollie Watkins is on hand to show off the new shirt.
The clip shows rock legend Osbourne, dressed in a Villa T-shirt and with a similarly dressed dog in the background, speaking on the phone to fellow Black Sabbath member Geezer Butler.
He asks the guitarist: ‘Hey Geezer, we’re playing at Villa Park.’
To which Butler replies: “As long as it’s left-wing.”
The band’s iconic hit Paranoid then plays, setting off an electric sequence with Villa players and fans.
At the start, a young fan prays in front of a poster of former centre-back Paul McGrath and says: “Please Lord, let me play for Villa.”
A yoga instructor can then be seen teaching a class that involves “high line practice” and has participants move back and forth as if they were in a defensive line.
The video then cuts to Emery, sitting at his desk, picking up the phone and having former striker Gabby Agbonlahor on a video call.
Agbonlahor tells the current coach: “Unai, I have everything under control. I’m ready to play.”
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is pictured during the kit’s promotional video
The clip begins with Black Sabbath guitarist Geezer Butler talking to Osbourne on the phone.
In one amusing segment, goalkeeper Martinez points to a fan, who has arrived in the locker room and is fully kitted out, and asks: “Who’s that?”
In one amusing segment, goalkeeper Martinez points to a fan, who has arrived in the locker room and is fully kitted out, and asks: “Who’s that?”
He replies: “Do you want me in the middle or on the left?”, before the Argentina international stares perplexedly into the camera lens.
And the Villa Park side are not forgetting to mention their defiant Champions League qualification, with one shop owner seen displaying a sign reading: “Sorry, I’ve gone to Europe.”
Butler then pauses the heavy metal music to play the competition’s theme song, based on George Frideric Handel’s Zadok the Priest.
Osbourne then returns to the fray, shouting to his wife: “Sharon, have you seen my Preds?”, a reference to Adidas Predator football boots.
Towards the end, midfielder John McGinn and Watkins make an appearance before a number of fans, including Osbourne, chanting: “Up with the Villa.”
The new kit is based on the club’s traditional colours, with a burgundy shirt, white shorts and blue socks.
Yesterday, Onana finally completed his transfer to Villa from Everton.
Captain John McGinn pictured during an entertaining Aston Villa kit launch video
Former striker Gabby Agbonlahor also appears, calling Emery and asking if he can play.
Osbourne reprises his role later in the clip, asking his wife Sharon: “Where are my prey?”
The Belgian midfielder, 22, joined the club for around £50million and has become their record signing ahead of Moussa Diaby.
Villa are preparing for their return to Europe’s top flight for the first time since 1983 in the Champions League.
Onana joined Everton in 2022 for £33m and went on to make 72 appearances for the side, being a key player in their battles against relegation.
Mail Sport reported almost two months ago that Onana was likely to leave Goodison Park this summer amid mounting financial pressures at the Merseyside club.
Earlier this month, Villa’s offer was accepted and the midfielder agreed personal terms with his new team, although it took some time until the deal was officially completed.
Villa have long been interested in Onana. Other clubs, including Arsenal and Manchester United, were also interested but never increased their offers. The Gunners contacted him in May to discuss a deal but never made an offer.
He will serve as a replacement for Douglas Luiz, who joined Juventus in late June for around £42m.
Amadou Onana has joined Aston Villa from Everton in a deal worth £50m
Onana brings international experience, having been capped 17 times by Belgium and having participated for the country at the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024.
The Villains already signed 21-year-old striker Lewis Dobbin from Everton this summer, while 20-year-old midfielder Tim Iroegbunam has gone in the other direction.
‘Everton would like to thank Amadou for his service and wish him all the best for the future,’ the Toffees wrote.
Many comments on Villa’s announcement post referenced an awkward moment from Onana’s Euro campaign with Belgium.
He is said to have mistaken him for Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, prompting the midfielder to say, in a perfect English accent: “Andre’s not even my name, mate.”
Onana made 72 appearances for Everton and became a highly sought-after player in the summer window.
Unai Emery has led Villa back to the Champions League for the first time since the 1980s
Villa announced the signing of Dutch international Ian Maatsen from Chelsea last month
The money generated from the sale of Onana will put Everton in a stronger position regarding profit and sustainability rules after having two points deductions for breaching them last season.
It also makes them better equipped to resist Manchester United’s advances for defender Jarrad Branthwaite, for whom they have rejected two offers.
United had rejected an initial offer of £35m plus £8m in add-ons for Branthwaite. They subsequently re-submitted an offer of £45m plus £5m in add-ons, which was also rejected.
