Villa Charity Appeal

Earlier this month Aston Villa reported that it would carry the name of children's charity Acorns Children's Hospice on it's club's shirts for free in the 2008-09 season; Aston Villa to promote charity in place of shirt sponsor and Aston Villa shun big money shirt deal to support Acorns Hospice.

This follows the end of the sponsorship deal with internet gambling website 32RED.com and not finding a replacement sponsor, choosing instead to raise the profile of the Acorns and to give something back to the community.

The move marks a first for the English Premier League and follows a similar move by Barcelona with their link up with Unicef.

Richard Scudamore, the Premier League's chief executive, also welcomed Villa's decision. "Real credit must go to Aston Villa for being the first Premier League club to use their shirt sponsorship to highlight their charity partnership with Acorns," he said. "I am sure that Acorns' association with Aston Villa will be a great help in raising awareness and funds for the excellent work they undertake."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jun/03/astonvilla.premierleague