On a hot and sweaty July night in the heart of America, claret and blue stretched far beyond the Midlands. At Energizer Park in St. Louis, Missouri, Aston Villa took to the pitch against MLS side St. Louis City SC, and in the stands, something special unfolded. Thousands of miles from Villa Park, a sea of passionate supporters made this night feel like a homecoming.
From screens to stadiums: The build-up
For many Villa fans in the United States, supporting the club has long meant early morning kickoffs, spotty streams, and celebrating goals alone in living rooms. If they’re lucky, maybe there’s a local supporters group where they can find a bit of shared atmosphere. But this summer, that changed.
Villa fans from across the states showed up. They wore old kits, new ones, custom scarves, and flags. Even hours before kickoff, Villa supporters gathered across the city, swapping stories and chants, some meeting fellow fans in person for the first time after years of online connection. You wouldn’t have guessed we were in St. Louis. It wasn’t just a game. It was a moment. It was a chance to be there.
A home away from Villa Park
As the sun dipped behind the stadium, fans began streaming into Energizer Park from Market Street, Maggie O’Brien’s Irish Pub, and The Pitch Bar. The atmosphere inside began to crackle. Despite Villa being the away team, it didn’t feel like an away game. The claret and blue faithful made their presence known in every corner. The chants from the designated away end started “Holte Enders in the Sky,” “Villa Till I Die,” and even a few cheeky player chants echoed across the ground. Some supporters even took off their shirts and began waving them above their heads to help create an atmosphere while singing their favorite songs.
St. Louis fans brought the noise too, but the energy from the Villa faithful was undeniable. For many in the stands, it was the first time hearing those songs live, feeling the collective roar after a goal, and seeing Unai Emery’s touchline intensity up close. This was the club they had followed from afar, now just a few yards away.
The match
From kickoff, it was clear Villa weren’t treating this like a casual runout. The press was high, the ball movement crisp, and the intent obvious. Morgan Rogers buzzed around defenders, spearheading most of Villa’s attacks. Emiliano Buendía was at the center of everything, moving up and down the pitch, throwing his body into every challenge. Donyell Malen was also key to Villa’s attack.
There were goals to cheer and moments of class to admire. There were also heart-stopping moments as St. Louis SC grew into the game. But the real headline was in the stands: the dedicated away section stood for the full 90, strangers singing together, shoulder to shoulder, making memories in real time, not just at full-time.
Final whistle, lasting impact
For Villa fans in the United States, this night wasn’t just about football or the team they supported; it was about a sense of belonging to something bigger. To witness their team play football in person.
As the team walked off the pitch and the floodlights dimmed, one thing was certain: the claret and blue runs deep even across oceans.
The message was clear: Aston Villa isn’t just a team from Birmingham.