NIGEL SIMS, Goalkeeper Tall, dark and handsome Nigel was signed by the Villa in March, 1956, when they were fighting against the threat of relegation. Did a great deal to help them to narrowly keep in Division I and has been turning in such fine displays ever since that he is now rated one of the best in the country.  Comes, from near Burton and signed professional for the Wolves as a 17-year-old in 1948, but got few senior chances because of the brilliance of Bert Williams. Played for Young England against England at Highbury in April, 1954.

STAN LYNN, Right Back Stan worked in a spinning mill before becoming a professional with Accrington Stanley and moving on to bigger things with the Villa in March, 1950. Bolton-born, he likes to give the ball the " big boot " but has steadily been improving his constructive play.  A great favourite at Villa Park for his tremendous penalty-kicking and his liking for long upfield forays he has also deputised occasionally as leader of the attack.

PETER ALDIS, Left Back A genuine local product. Peter helped

STAN CROWTHER, Right Half At the beginning of last season Stan was playing for Bilston in the Birmingham League but when the big clubs came after him he chose the Villa.  Originally he was an inside forward but it is as a wing half that he has found his true medium and has come on by leaps and bounds. A fair-haired six-footer, he tackles hard and takes a lot of trouble to keep the ball on the ground when he is moving it up to his forwards.

JIMMY DUGDALE, Centre Half Jimmy has been here before. He was in the West Bromwich Albion side which beat Preston in 1954.  Joe Kennedy stood between him and a regular place with the Albion though, and in February, 1956. he joined the Villa to help steer them clear of relegation and play a tremendous part in their present revival. Comes from Liverpool and played for England "B " against Scotland, Yugoslavia and Switzerland in 1954, and for the Football League against the League of Ireland in the same season.

PAT SAWARD, Left Half Pat used to watch Crystal Palace from the terraces and was actually 20 before he signed for the Palace on the strength of a trial arranged for him by his brother. Had six months on their books and when they lost interest he accepted a Millwall offer to turn professional.  Now in his second season with the Villa and has settled down well as a half back after disappointing as an inside forward.  Capped by Eire three seasons ago in the World Cup preliminaries against Luxembourg.

LESLIE SMITH, Outside Right Shortly after leaving school. Smith, born at Halesowen, joined the Wolves as an amateur. In 1948, after service in Germany, he became a professional at Molineux and first made an impression by deputising for Johnny Hancocks on the right wing. Really came into his own when he displaced Jimmy Mullen on the  left. Then Mullen made a come-back and Leslie was transferred to the Villa 15 months ago. Likes to be among the scorers, reads books and listens to jazz records.

JACKIE SEWELL, Inside Right Six times capped for England, Sewell still carries around the label of our most expensive player—a legacy from way back in March, 1951, when Sheffield Wednesday paid £34,500 for him to Notts County.  Slightly slower now he still has a crafty football brain.  First played for a Cumberland junior club and joined Notts County for a £10 signing-on fee in 1945.  Got over 100 goals for them in four seasons, moved to the Wednesday for four seasons and joined Villa in December, 1955.

BILLY MYERSCOUGH, Centre Forward Billy has had a rapid rise to Wembley stardom for he did not make his first-team debut until December 15 last at Chariton—and then as an inside forward. Came into the centre when Pace was injured and held it to score the goal which got the Villa into the final, against West Bromwich Albion.  Bolton-born, he was signed from Walsall in July, 1955, in exchange for Dave Walsh, though he had played for Manchester City as an amateur. On the short side for a leader but likes to get out on the wings.

JOHNNY DIXON, Inside Left (Capt.) Johnny is a Tynesider who started his soccer career with Newcastle United but asked for a trial with the Villa in 1944 and had several games for them as an amateur before signing professional in January, 1946. A cool, high-stepping type he has given wonderful service to the club in the post-war years with well over 300 senior appearances, a regular " bag " of goals each season, and is a cheerful,popular skipper. Has played in every forward position except outside left.

PETER McPARLAND, Outside Left Exceptionally fall for a winger, McParland has developed into such a strong-striding hard-shooting raider that he has become a regular first choice for Ireland. He was capped before he was 20 and celebrated by scoring twice against Wales. Born at Newry, he was signed as a professional from Dundalk in August, 1952, and has played a big part in getting the Villa to Wembley with vital goals just at the right time.

TREVOR BIRCH, Right Half Another of Villa's young six-footer half backs who has never had a regular first-team place but has always been a reliable deputy. Born at West Bromwich, he captained the Birmingham Works League junior side before signing professional for the Villa in February, 1953.  Made his League debut at Stamford Bridge in December, 1954, and is getting better all the time.

DEREK PACE, Centre Forward Derek has been in and out of the Villa first team so many times that he could be forgiven for getting a bit discouraged.  But being a great-hearted club-man he smiled and wished Myerscough luck\when he lost his place in the semi-final. On the short side, he makes up for it by being an industrious worker and worrier of the opposition defence.  He was spotted playing for Bloxwich Scouts and signed in September, 1949, and his goals did much to get the club out of relegation trouble last year