Player #342 for Aston Villa, David John Astley, known as Dai Astley, played as a forward for the club.

Dai played for Villa between 1931-32 and 1936-37 making 174 appearances and scoring 99 goals.

Dai was born in Dowlais, South Wales on 11 October 1909 and made his debut appearance for Villa on the 17 October 1931 aged 22.

Villa had signed Dai from Charlton Athletic in June 1931 for a fee of £1,500 and even in a team of outstanding forwards Dai’s ability and performance stood out.

Able to play both as an inside forward and centre forward Dai was known for his languid style of play which some interpreted as laziness, regardless his goalscoring record stood up to any scrutiny.

Dai scored 14 goals as Villa finished runners up in the League in 1932-33, and followed that with with 33 goals in 1933-34, including 4 goals in the FA Cup tie with Sunderland in January 1934 and all three goals in a win over Leeds United that April. Dai was Villa’s top scorer that season.

Dai was Villa’s top scorer for two further seasons bagging hat-tricks against Preston North End, Leicester City, Stoke City and Huddersfield Town.

Even in the relegation season of 1935-36 Dai hit 21 goals but the following season, in the second division, Dai hit just 5 in 14 before making his final appearance on 11 November 1936 aged 27. Dai moved to Derby County later that month for a fee of £5,250.

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

Dai passed away in Birchington, Kent on 7th November 1989 aged 80.