Dynamic Aston Villa zipped across Birmingham and the West Midlands taking part in all manner of interesting and heartfelt activities:

  • England internationals Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor were behind the wheel of the Aston Road Sweeper, a small mechanical sweeper that helps clean the streets around the ground after match days.

  • Craig Gardner pledged his support for local charity St Basil's annual sleep out, where people in Birmingham sleep rough in the biggest 'one night only cardboard city' in the UK.

  • Stuart Taylor and Curtis Davies visited a local school in Birmingham to promote healthy lifestyles and deliver an anti-racism campaign. Money from Creating Chances helped Birmingham City Council's Food4Sport Booklet to more primary and junior schools.

  • Gareth Barry and John Carew visited Acorns Children's Hospice in Selly Oak. The Aston Villa team support Acorns' care team with a financial donation to cover the cost of 77 days hospice care. The players took part in a music session with the children and visited the multi-sensory room.

    For further information on the club's every day community work please click here

    While the Community Programme Launch was attended by Martin Laursen, here follows a breakdown of Aston Villa's Creating Chances beneficiaries:

    places for players winners

    Each of the following received a £2,000 donation and a player appearance:

    Frankley & Longbridge Extended Provision - Stuart Taylor & Curtis Davies
    St. Basils - Marlon Harewood
    Sport 4 Life - Patrick Berger & Osiah Osbourne

    CLUB COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES HIGHLIGHTED

    The following received a £2,000 donation and player appearances:

    Aston Road Sweeper - Ashley Young & Gabriel Agbonlahor
    Special Needs Centre of Excellence - Thomas Sorensen
    Villa Vitality

    club charities highlighted

    The following received a £2,000 donation and player appearances:

    Acorns Hospice Trust - Gareth Barry & John Carew
    Villa Rockets, Electric Wheelchair Team - Curtis Davies & Zat Knight

    promotional

    The following promotion work to support Creating Chances was undertaken:

    Guardian - Family Section - Ashley Young

    aston villa places for players runners up

    Each of the following received a £2,000 donation:

    Aston Promotions
    Belmont/Betteridge After School Club
    Bilbrook Juniors FC
    Cerebral Palsy Sport
    Charlie Ramsey Research
    Cure Leukaemia
    Dogs For Disabled
    Evesham Vale Lions Club
    Fragile
    Holy Name FC
    Katherine House Hospice
    Moseley Lions
    Noah's Ark
    Ronald McDonald House
    St Giles Hospice
    St Michaels Hospice
    Takeover Radio
    Turntable Furniture
    Warndon Village FC
    Worcester Relay for Life

    aston villa 'your shot' competition winner

    Simon Lines, aged 16 from Middlesex, won the Aston Villa Your Shot Experience and was able to:

  • Arrive at Villa Park and enjoy breakfast in the Corner Flag Restaurant
  • Receive a briefing from General Krulak and meet Jonathan Calderwood (Head Groundsman) to receive a report on pitch conditions
  • Tour the Holte Pub and meet Tony Diffley (Stadium Manager) to hear a report on stadium preparations
  • Meet Jack Woodward, the Villa World Presenter, for a pitch-side pre-match interview
  • Enjoy lunch in Directors Lounge with CEO Richard FitzGerald
  • Sit in the Press Box with commentary team Jack Woodward & Tony Morley
  • Give a half-time interview about his views on the action
  • Attend the post match interviews with Jack Woodward in the tunnel and also meet the players
  • Have one final interview about his thoughts on the day

    You can return to the Creating Chances index by clicking here