To celebrate their first anniversary the Cornwall Lions, a Kernow based Aston Villa supporters group, are hosting their first ever members night on Saturday November 13.

The event which will take place at the Old Ale House, Skinners Brewery Truro will raise money for Children's Hospice South West as well as the Villa Foundation.

A star studded lineup will feature in the the evening with ex-Aston Villa player & Manager Brian Little as well League and European Cup winner Allan Evans headlining the night.

Brian Little will be selling and signing his autobiography which is included as part of the ticket price.

Chairman of the group Dave Wickes explained how the club was formed after he had originally been part of the Exeter Lions Fan group. He said: "We went to the pub to watch one of the games, I think it was when Villa beat Liverpool 7-2, some of the lads said we need to set up a Cornwall supporters club.

"Normally it takes six months to get approval, but they said 'send us your plans and as long as you stay connected with Exeter Lions (The Exeter based support group) that is fine.

"We have 122 members which considering we are in Cornwall and it is a 575 mile round trip to Villa Park, you have to be obsessed!"

Annual membership for the group costs £5 for adults and £2.50 for under 18s. 

The supporters group kept their members entertained despite being in lockdown with free zoom Q&A group calls with a number of former players including Dennis Mortimer, Tony Daley, Shaun Teale, Ken McNaught and Tony Morley to name a few.

As a non profit organisation they made these sessions free to watch for all members. Saturday's event will be their first in person social event since forming due to lockdown restrictions.

There will be a meet and greet with photo opportunities and a Q&A with Brian Little and Allan Evans, as well as an Aston Villa themed quiz and raffle.

"Villa have donated a number of prizes for the raffles, we have Dean Smith's (ex manager) tracksuit, we had a ball signed by the first team this season a shirt printed and signed by Ian Taylor as well as some boots. We have had training tops, tracksuits, pens those kind of things.

"We have sold a couple of items already online, I am hoping from what we have raised so far and money on the night we can raise between £800-£1000 altogether for charity." Said Dave Wickes.

Dave Wickes especially thanked Tim Gabriel for organising a number of the prizes for the charity raffle which included a pair of match worn goalkeeper gloves from former Villa player and European cup winner Jimmy Rimmer.

Newcomers can join the supporters club by messaging them at the relevant social media pages or by emailing CornwallAVFCLions@outlook.com.

Subject to demand, the club will be running transport to Aston Villa matches and back and through through the Lions they can apply for tickets for away games too.