Villa buck the trend

Jun 8 2008 Gordon Waddell

BARCELONA paved the way by giving charity UNICEF the first ever sponsor's slot on their jerseys - but fair play to Aston Villa for following suit in the more and more money-obsessed Premiership.

We have become obsessed by rich lists and profits - a single player is now being talked about in a £75million deal with £15m-a-year wages.

So what a great gesture it is to raise awareness of the local Acorns Children's Hospice, giving them the front of Villa's shirts for a season.

You'd love to think it would prick a few consciences. Sadly, from that sentence only one world usually applies to the businessmen at the top of the game.