Soccer club pays tribute to Ozzy Osbourne who passes away at 76: "Held a special connection to the team"

The world of music and sport came together in mourning this week, as Aston Villa Football Club paid a touching tribute to heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away at the age of 76. Known as the “Godfather of Metal” and the frontman of the legendary band Black Sabbath, Osbourne wasn’t just a global superstar—he was also a lifelong supporter of his hometown club, Aston Villa.

A legendary life comes full circle at Villa Park

Ozzy Osbourne’s final performance, held just months ago at Villa Park, was a symbolic homecoming. Titled Back to the Beginning, the farewell concert was more than just a goodbye—it was a celebration of a life that began in the heart of Birmingham and ended with one final roar from a crowd of 42,000 fans.

Joined by his original Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, Ozzy delivered a performance that echoed across generations. The historic show also featured tributes from global rock titans Metallica and Guns N' Roses, making it a defining moment in rock history.

“Aston Villa Football Club is saddened to learn that world-renowned rockstar and Villan, Ozzy Osbourne has passed away. Growing up in Aston, not far from Villa Park, Ozzy always held a special connection to the club and the community he came from. The thoughts of everyone at Aston Villa are with his wife Sharon, his family, friends, and countless fans at this extremely difficult time. Rest in peace, Ozzy,” Villa wrote in their official statement.

An outpouring of love and legacy

News of Osbourne’s passing sparked a global wave of tributes. Metallica posted a photo with Osbourne on X (formerly Twitter), captioned only with a broken heart emoji. Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones called it “a lovely goodbye concert,” while Black Sabbath’s official account shared a solemn image of their beloved frontman, captioned: "Ozzy Forever!"

Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in the industrial Aston district of Birmingham, Ozzy was forged by the grit of his surroundings. That raw spirit would later give birth to heavy metal itself. From their groundbreaking 1970 debut Black Sabbath to iconic albums like Paranoid and Master of Reality, Ozzy Osbourne and his band changed the sound of music forever—selling over 75 million records worldwide.

Ozzy Osbourne: A Villan forever

For Aston Villa, Osbourne was more than a fan. He was family.

“The thoughts of everyone at Aston Villa are with his wife Sharon, his family, friends, and countless fans at this extremely difficult time. Rest in peace, Ozzy,” the club concluded.

As Villa Park echoed with his final notes and the world mourns a legend, one thing is certain—Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy will forever live on in music, in memory, and in the heart of Aston.