When it comes to Aston Villa, a club with the kind of pedigree that has old-school football fans getting misty-eyed, you’d naturally expect a rich history of top-notch goal-scorers.
And indeed, the Villa faithful have plenty to cheer about in that department.
The legends of Villa’s goal-scoring lore mostly hail from the days when the Premier League was just a glimmer in the eye of modern football. The legend of their top 10 all-time scorers and one of the club’s greatest players is Billy Walker, who manages to net 244 goals in 531 appearances for the Claret and Blue side.
Since the dawn of the Premier League era, the Villains haven’t quite set the pitch alight in the same way. They even took an enforced sabbatical in the Championship for three seasons between 2017 and 2019.
Despite this, they’ve had their share of reliable goal-scorers, proving that even if their golden years are behind them, there’s still plenty of shine left in Aston Villa’s legacy.
Best Aston Villa Striker In Premier League History
These are the players who’ve made fans leap from their seats, spit out their half-time pies, and scream in sheer delight.
These aren’t just any scorers; we’re talking about players who turned goals into an art form, each strike worthy of a frame in a gallery. These players have carved their names into Villa archives with goals that were as memorable as they were plentiful.
Today, we’re listing out 10 Aston Villa goalscorers in Premier League history.
1. Gabriel Agbonlahor
- Appearances: 322
- Goals: 74
The homegrown hero, might not have set the pitch ablaze with jaw-dropping skills, but his loyalty and dedication made him a true Villa legend. Starting his career as a schoolboy at the club, he always saw Villa Park as his final destination.
In a time when footballers often follow the money, Agbonlahor’s steadfast loyalty is a rarity.
With 74 goals to his name, he’s Aston Villa’s all-time leading Premier League scorer.
His blistering pace and dribbling skills shone under Martin O’Neill, netting 36 league goals over three seasons and securing European football for Villa.
His knack for scoring in the Second City derby, especially that dramatic late winner against Birmingham City in 2008, solidified his hero status.
Even though injuries and fitness issues plagued the latter part of his career, Agbonlahor overtook Dwight Yorke as Aston Villa’s leading Premier League scorer in 2013 and retired in 2019, forever etched in Villa’s history.
2. Dwight Yorke
- Appearances: 179
- Goals: 60
Discovered by Villa manager Graham Taylor during a pre-season tour in the Caribbean, Yorke’s journey to Villa Park is legendary.
After a slow start, Yorke blossomed into a prolific striker, holding the top Premier League scorer title for Villa until Agbonlahor overtook him in 2013.
Yorke banged in over 20 goals in back-to-back mid-90s seasons, but his move to Manchester United in 1998 left a sour taste in Villa fans’ mouths.
Still, you can’t deny his impact, especially when he was part of United’s treble-winning team in 1999 and was named Premier League Player of the Season.
Just don’t mention his transfer fee at parties.
3. Ollie Watkins
- Appearances: 146
- Goals: 59
Ollie Watkins is on a roll after his best Premier League season, scoring 27 goals in all competitions and earning a nod from Gareth Southgate for the Euro 2024 squad.
And he delivered a winning goal when called upon in the semi-final clash against the Netherlands sending the Three Lions to the final
His 19 league goals, none from the penalty spot, tied a club record, and his 13 assists earned him the Playmaker of the Season award.
Since his £33 million transfer from Brentford, Watkins has been nothing short of impressive, consistently scoring no less than 11 league goals each season.
Highlights? How about a hat-trick in the 7-2 demolition of Liverpool and another in a 6-1 drubbing of Brighton?
Watkins is just 14 goals away from matching Agbonlahor’s Premier League tally for Villa and given his form, he might just hit that target next season.
4. Dion Dublin
- Appearances: 155
- Goals: 51
The man with a head as hard as his foot.
Arriving from Coventry City in 1998, fresh off being the Premier League’s joint-top scorer, Dublin quickly won over the Aston Villa faithful by netting seven goals in his first four games, including a hat-trick against Southampton.
His passion and goal-scoring flair made him a favourite, despite stiff competition from other strikers like Juan Pablo Angel.
And who could forget his infamous headbutt on Robbie Savage in a Second City derby? Talk about putting your head in the game.
Nowadays, Dublin shares his footballing wisdom as a BBC pundit, and the fans still love him.
5. Juan Pablo Angel
- Appearances: 175
- Goals: 44
Signed from River Plate for a club-record fee, Angel arrived at Villa Park with the weight of expectations on his shoulders.
After a start slower than a tortoise on tranquillizers, Angel eventually found his groove, becoming one of Villa’s top scorers with 23 goals in the 2003-04 season.
His time at Villa wasn’t just about the goals, though.
He also treated fans to some unforgettable performances and helped secure the 2001 Intertoto Cup. Angel’s character and passion on the pitch made him a beloved figure among the Villa faithful.
After his Villa days, he took his talents to MLS and eventually hung up his boots with his boyhood club, Atletico Nacional.
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6. Christian Benteke
- Appearances: 89
- Goals: 42
Christian Benteke’s three seasons at Villa Park were short but explosive. Signed from Genk in 2012, Benteke scored a whopping 19 league goals in his debut season – a record for a Villa player in the Premier League.
Even with injury setbacks, Benteke was crucial in Aston Villa’s battles against relegation.
Highlights of his stint include a vital goal in the 2015 FA Cup semi-final and hat-tricks against Sunderland and QPR.
When Benteke left for Liverpool in 2015, Villa’s relegation soon followed, emphasising just how vital he was to the team.
7. Gareth Barry
- Appearances: 365
- Goals: 41
Gareth Barry’s Villa career started amid some controversy, but his dedication and performances quickly won fans over.
Joining from Brighton in 1997, he became Villa’s youngest player to reach 300 Premier League appearances by 2007.
Known for his consistency and leadership, Barry was awarded a testimonial at just 26.
His legacy includes being Villa’s longest-serving player by 2008 and a crucial part of the team for over a decade.
8. Julian Joachim
- Appearances: 141
- Goals: 39
The speed demon from Leicester City, Julian Joachim, zipped into Villa in 1996 and hit the ground running. In the 1998-99 season, he was the top scorer, even squeezing in a Hollywood cameo in “Hannibal.”
Joachim’s time at Villa was packed with memorable performances, making him a fan favourite with his blistering pace and flair.
Though he eventually moved to Coventry City in 2001, his five seasons at Villa left a lasting impression. He was the kind of player who could make defenders look like they were running in treacle.
9. Dean Saunders
- Appearances: 112
- Goals: 37
Dean Saunders, Villa’s big-money buy in 1992, quickly hit it off with Dalian Atkinson, creating a strike partnership deadlier than a tax audit.
In his debut season, Saunders helped propel Villa to a runner-up finish in the inaugural Premier League, playing a major role and racking up goals like they were going out of fashion.
Despite later career moves, including a spell at Birmingham City that left some Villa fans more confused than a chameleon in a bag of Skittles, Saunders’ impact at Aston Villa remains significant.
His passion on the pitch and knack for finding the back of the net made him a standout player in the early days of the Premier League, cementing his place in the club’s history.
10. John Carew
- Appearances: 113
- Goals: 37
John Carew joined Villa in 2007 in a swap deal with Lyon for Milan Baros and quickly became a fan favourite, towering over opponents like a Viking in a land of hobbits.
Known for his height and power, Carew’s partnership with Agbonlahor was a major one to Villa’s success under Martin O’Neill.
Carew’s tenure was filled with unforgettable moments, including a hat-trick against Newcastle and a stunning volley against Stoke that probably made the goalkeeper need therapy.
His cult-hero status endures, thanks to his key contributions in helping Villa secure European football during his time at the club.
Other Notable Mentions
- Darius Vassell – 35
- Ashley Young – 30
- Ian Taylor – 28
- Savo Milosevic – 28
- Lee Hendrie – 27
- Dalian Atkinson – 22
- Darren Bent – 21
- Douglas Luiz – 20
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