William McGregor - one of the most influential figures in the history of our great game - will be a permanent figure at Villa Park from this afternoon.

A statue of the visionary football great will be unveiled before our match against Tottenham at 4pm.

McGregor will stand proudly in front of the Directors Entrance of the Trinity Road Stand.

The statue, sculpted by Sam Holland, will be unveiled by Lord Mawhinney, chairman of the Football League.

The project was the brainchild of the Aston Villa Supporters Trust and the statue has been made possible by their tireless fundraising efforts.

After helping establish Villa as one of the great teams in England - and as chairman leading the club to the area's first-ever FA Cup win 1887 - the Scottish draper founded The Football League in 1888.

He also went on to become both chairman and president of The Football League.

The statue will be a fitting tribute to a great football man.