Aston Villa lean into Irish links with new merch range featuring their 'God' Paul McGrath

In the early to mid-90s, Aston Villa had the English top flight's premier Irish enclave, bolstering their Irish fanbase substantially in the process.

Mon, 02 Mar, 2026 - 11:27

Cian Locke

There was the Arsenal Irish in the 70s, Liverpool's green core in the 80s, United with Moran, McGrath, Stapleton and Whiteside in the 80s too. Later in the noughties, Roy Keane and Niall Quinn turned the Black Cats into SundIreland.

But in the early to mid-90s, Aston Villa had the English top flight's premier Irish enclave, bolstering their Irish fanbase substantially in the process.

Villa jerseys were the bandwagon of choice forerunner to many of the Blackburn shirts that emerged around their Premier League win of 1995.

Steve Staunton, Ray Houghton, Andy Townsend and, most notably, Paul McGrath spent much of the decade in claret and blue. And Villa enjoyed plenty of success in that period under Ron Atkinson and Brian Little, with League Cup victories in 1994 and 1996, a Premier League runner-up finish in 1993, and regular European competition.

Aston Villa's new Irish range. Pic via Aston Villa FC

Now in the lead-up to St Patrick's Day, the Birmingham club have leaned into their Irish heritage with a new merchandise range, created in partnership with Fanatics.

Their 'God' Paul McGrath gives the gear his blessing, as the promo goes: "From Staunton to Houghton to Townsend to God, Irish heroes have made legendary Villains"

Villa says: "This limited-edition range showcases and celebrates our links with Ireland: the fans who have followed Villa for generations and players like Paul McGrath and Steve Staunton who have left an indelible mark on our history.

"Claret & Emerald From the legendary players who became icons in claret and blue to the Irish communities across Digbeth, Small Heath, Sparkhill, and Kingstanding who carry that spirit forward, the Fanatics St. Patrick’s Day Collection celebrates the unmistakable Irish imprint woven into Aston Villa’s story.

"Rooted in heritage and elevated by innovation, the collection features rich green and gold palettes, subtle Gaelic-inspired detailing, and premium fabrics shaped into iconic football silhouettes."

A top from Aston Villa's new Irish range. Pic via Aston Villa FC

Plenty other Irish players have starred at Villa Park — Tony Cascarino, Richard Dunne, Shay Given, Glenn Whelan, Enda Stevens just a few. Robbie Keane made six apperaances in 2011, though there's no record of him claiming Villa as his childhood club.

But Villa hope that 90s band of Irish Villains might just pass onto the torch to another generation.

"Pieces made not just to wear, but to feel. To remember. To belong."

You can check out the collection here.