'A real privilege to be on the pitch for Remembrance Sunday'

Before kick-off against Manchester United in the Women's Super League on Sunday, Villa Park will come together to mark a moment of Remembrance as we pay tribute to those who have served and sacrificed. 

Our Remembrance Day fixture gives every Villan a chance to remember the Armed Forces and their families for the vital role they play in defending our freedoms and protecting our way of life.

Official supporters' group the Military Lions will be taking part in the pre-match Remembrance Parade prior to kick-off. 

10 military personnel representing the Army, the Royal Air Force and veterans will march from the tunnel and line up on the centre circle. ​

The tribute begins with a reading of 'For the Fallen', when three wreaths will be laid on the centre circle, followed by a period of silence, and finally The Last Post will be played.

Players will wear black armbands with the poppy symbol once again, after doing so last weekend during our away fixture at Arsenal.

A shirt with a poppy patch and signed by the women's first team squad will be auctioned to raise funds to support the Royal British Legion and their work.

'An important day to reflect and pay gratitude'

Part time Villa Women club doctor Jodie Blackadder-Weinstein will be one of the service people taking part in the parade on Sunday.  For the past 15 years she has worked as a General Practitioner in the Royal Air Force, which she performs alongside her role at Villa Women.

We spoke to Jodie about her work and the significance of Remembrance Sunday she prepares to mark the occasion on the pitch this weekend.

"I've absolutely loved my time in the military. I've had the experience and the opportunities to do things that I just would never have done otherwise", said Jodie.

"Sailing in the Caribbean through to watching the Northern Lights with the Royal Marines in a tank in the Arctic Circle - I've been super, super lucky. It's been an amazing experience."

Jodie's journey into the military began when she joined the Royal Air Force during her time at University, though her ambitions to join the military began when she was a child.

She explained, "In the military parades someone in the Household Cavalry sits on a big horse and bangs a big drum, and when I was four or five, I was like: “That's what I want to do”.

"I was at university when I realised that I could combine the military with being a doctor, so I joined the Royal Air Force, and I did my foundation training in the NHS with support from the military."

Looking ahead to Remembrance Sunday, Jodie explained the significance of the occasion for her.

"Every year I'm grateful that I'm at Villa, and I'm grateful that I've got this opportunity to represent the military at Villa Park. It'll be a real privilege to be on the pitch for Remembrance Sunday.

"For me I'm very lucky that I've not had to be in a zone of conflict, but I've lost multiple colleagues in various conflicts over the years, so it's a really emotional day. 

"I think it's important to have that day in the year where we can just reflect and pay our gratitude and respect to those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives and left their families behind."

Parade Participants

• Squadron Leader Jake Garbett, Royal Air Force
• Chief Technician Neil Guest, Royal Air Force
• Wing Commander Jodie Blackadder-Weinstein, Royal Air Force
• Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Ballantyne, British Army
• Sergeant Jay Tomlinson, British Army
• Sergeant John Paul Norris, British Army
• Gareth Humpage, Veteran
• Robert Merrell, Veteran
• Charlie Youngman, Veteran
• Jamie Condley, Veteran

Bid on a signed poppy shirt

Aston Villa supporters have the chance to bid on a poppy adorned shirt signed by Villa Women's first team squad, in aid of the Poppy Appeal.

The auction starts from kick-off vs Manchester United (12pm) on 8 November 2026 and ends on 21 November at 2:30pm.

Proceeds will support the Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal.

Signed Poppy Shirt Auction