By 1920, Aston Villa had cemented their name in the Football Hall of Fame by winning six FA Cups and six League Championships. However, the next sixty years of League competition brought scant reward, success now being limited to cup competitions. It was not until Ron Saunders took over as manager in June 1974 that Aston Villa once again began to compete for the top prize in English football, the coveted League Championship. Saunders assembled a strong squad of players, blending them into a team of winners that was difficult to beat and won the Football League Cup in 1975 and 1977.

Then, in 1980/81, he guided Aston Villa to the League Championship, their first since 1910. Football writer John Shipley has put together the story of this historic achievement. Aston Villa: Champions 1980/81 captures the true spirit of the time, evoking wonderful memories of the season when the Villans were crowned football kings of England.