On this very day 24 years ago Dalian Atkinson scored Aston Villa's first Premier League goal, a late equaliser to snatch a point at Ipswich Town. The outpouring of emotion from supporters as news filtered through of his death in tragic, incredulous circumstances on August 15, 2016 showed the tremendous warmth, undimmed by the passage of time, for a player who came to symbolise a proud period in the club's history.
What followed in the weeks and months after that Saturday afternoon in summer 1992 brought energy to Birmingham as Villa built a vibrant title challenge that was only beaten by the juggernaut of Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson.