Player #6 for Aston Villa, Elisha Davis, known as Eli Davis played as a midfielder for the club. Eli made his debut in the 1879-80 FA Cup campaign - Villa’s first entry into the competition.

Eli was born in Dudley, ten miles from the current Villa ground, in December 1855 and made his debut as a 24 year old on the 13th December 1879.

Villa had signed Eli from Wednesbury Strollers and he went on to represent the club for six successive seasons from 1879-80 to 1884-85.

Eli was described in teammate Archie Hunter’s book as:

“Another special favourite with the spectators … who worked the left wing and was noted for the really wonderful way in which he screwed the ball from the corner with his left foot. As everybody knows, a forward is not much good unless he can take the ball up and centre it in goal, and in doing this Eli excelled. He was a very brilliant and a very sure player.”

Eli’s final game came on 10th January 1885 having reached a career best 5th Round of the FA Cup in 1882-83. Eli subsequently retired from football aged 29 due to a knee injury.

Eli played in the era when team selection was made by a Management Committee rather than the latter day more typical Manager role which from the 1884-85 season was led by George Ramsey.

Eli passed away in Birmingham on 20th December 1897 aged just 42.