Eli Davis

Eli Davis
Personal information
Date of birth December 1855 (1855-12)
Place of birth Dudley, Worcs
Position Inside left
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1879–1885 Aston Villa 22 (3)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Elisha Davis (born December 1855, Dudley) was an English footballer. He played in Aston Villa's first ever FA Cup tie.[1]

Eli Davis, 3rd right, back row Aston Villa 1879–80

The 1879–80 English football season saw Aston Villa's entry into top flight competitive association football with their first tie in the FA Cup.[2] The start of the official record was Saturday 13 December 1879 when Villa faced Stafford Road F.C., of the Stafford Road railway works, Wolverhampton. The match was played before a crowd of 2,000 at Stafford's Half-Way House Ground.[2] In 2024, celebrating the club's 150th anniversary, Aston Villa Legacy Numbers were introduced indexing every first-team player who had represented the club in a competitive fixture.[3] Although playing before shirt numbers were introduced in 1926, Goalkeeper John Ball received Legacy Number 1.[4] Inside-left Davis received Legacy Number #3,[1] Andy Hunter #4,[5] officially became Villa's first goal-scorer in the 1–1 draw.[2]

The 29-year-old Davis played his final game on 10 January 1885 in Villa's 3rd round loss 0–3 away to Albion. He subsequently retired.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Eli Davis". AVFC History. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  2. ^ a b c "🟨 13 Dec 1879, Villa 1-1 Stafford Road, Half-Way House Ground". AVFC History. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  3. ^ "Legacy Numbers: Aston Villa approach 1,000th player". Aston Villa Football Club. 2024-08-15. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  4. ^ "John Ball". AVFC History. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  5. ^ "Andy Hunter". AVFC History. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
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