Player #345 for Aston Villa, William Swan Simpson, known as Billy Simpson, played as a midfielder for the club in the position then known as a left half.

Billy played for Villa between 1931-32 and 1934-35 making 29 appearances, scoring once.

Billy was born in Cowdenbeath, Scotland on 1 May 1907 and made his debut appearance for Villa on the 30 January 1932 aged 24.

Villa had signed Billy from Clyde for a fee of £1,000 in November 1931.

Billy had played junior football for Donibristle Colliery in 1923, Cowdenbeath YMCA in 1924, Fulford White Rose in 1925, Dunbar United in 1926 and Musselburgh Bruntonians in 1927 before joining Scottish League Clyde in 1928.

After signing for Villa Billy made his debut against Chelsea in January 1932, but went on to make just one more appearance that season.

Over his four seasons at Villa Park, Billy was mainly a back up squad player, making his most appearances in a single season with 13 in his second season, 1932-33, including a goal against Blackpool in March 1933.

Billy played his final game for Villa on 6 October 1934 aged 27 before returning to Scotland in 1935 to join his hometown club Cowdenbeath.

Billy had played under the Billy Smith led Management Committee, Villa’s first manager proper, Jimmy McMullan.

Billy passed away in 1990 aged 83.