The true story of one football club's astonishing return to the top Featuring exclusive interviews with Jack Grealish, John McGinn, Ollie Watkins, Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa, along with many other key figures Aston Villa are Europa League champions and cementing their place among England's elite -- a club utterly transformed, and still rising. But not so long ago the club was staring into the abyss. Locked in a cash crisis triggered by defeat in the Championship play-off final, one of English football's most historic and successful clubs stood on the brink of financial catastrophe. Waking The Giant takes you inside one of the most extraordinary revival acts in modern football, from the last-minute takeover by billionaire duo Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens which saved the club, through the promotion and equally remarkable Premier League survival inspired by boyhood supporter Dean Smith, to the return to European football under Unai Emery -- and the foundations laid for the triumphs that have followed. To understand how Villa lifted a European trophy and reclaimed their seat at the top table of English football, you first need to understand the journey. This is where it began. It is a tale of triumph plucked from the jaws of despair, several times over, with Villa frequently defying the odds to keep climbing -- a club rebuilt from the ground up, piece by piece, until the unthinkable became inevitable. From club record runs to great escapes from relegation and British record transfers, this is a rollercoaster ride not to be missed.
Featuring exclusive interviews with: * Jack Grealish * John McGinn * Ollie Watkins * Tyrone Mings * Ezri Konsa * Albert Adomah * Damian Vidagany, Director of Football Operations * Jesus Garcia Pitarch, former sporting director * Dean Smith, former manager * Keith Wyness, former CEO And dozens of other off-the-record conversations with key figures, managers, coaches, players and staff. Villa is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in England, having won the Football League First Division seven times, the FA Cup seven times, the League Cup five times, and the European Cup and European Super Cup once. The club has spent 110 seasons in the top-flight, the second highest of any club, and provided 77 England internationals, also the second highest of any club. Aston Villa is currently ranked 5th in the all-time English top flight table, and is the seventh most successful club in English football by competitive honours. As a club Aston Villa is hugely under-published I think, but has a large and committed fanbase. Villa's social media following is growing rapidly. Villa Park sells out regularly at 42k, is expanding to 55k and they claim there is a 30k season ticket waiting list. Will publish ahead of Father's Day.
Celebrity fans include Tom Hanks, Prince William, David Cameron (ahem), Geezer Butler and Lee Child. Authors will be happy to do a series of launch events and signings, particularly focussed on the Birmingham area. Competition: Ticket to the Moon;Little Book of Aston Villa;Villains;5000-1;And It Was Beautiful; Fearless;Touching Distance;Promised Land;Aston Villa; Rise of the Villans. Steve Horton;Dave Woodhall;Danny Brown;Jonathan Northcroft;Phil Hay;Anthony Clavane;Martin Hardy;Chris Carpenter;James Fisher;Guillem Balague.