52 iconic pictures of Black Sabbath fans at Villa Park as Ozzy Osbourne and the band get ready for their last gig with Metallica, Anthrax and more heavy metal stars
There's definitely a party atmosphere in the air as heavy metal fans from home and abroad hot-foot it to Black Sabbath's mega Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park in Birmingham.
They have been arriving early on Saturday to join the queues for the best spaces at Villa Park for the eagerly anticipated gig which is also being billed as frontman Ozzy Osbourne's final show.
John Lane, from Kidderminster, with Neil Crumpton and Sean Crumpton from Church Stretton
Among them is John Lane, aged 42, a health and safety officer from Kidderminster, says: "I am a Villa fan so I decided to get the name "Ozzy" printed on the back of my shirt because I'm a big Sabbath fan as well.
"It's phenomenal to see the crowds. There's people here from all over the world. I could see from the Facebook groups that fans were travelling from far and wide which is great. I came on the train from Stourbridge, but I've got no idea how I'm getting home tonight."
Myke Black and Karen Brock from Grimsby.
Neil Crumpton, a teacher trainer from Church Stretton, Shropshire, says: "My family got the tickets as a present for my 50th birthday on Monday.Icouldn't have asked for a better gift."
Sarah Picos, a chemist, aged 30, flew in from Las Vegas for the show, said: "I'm a big Sabbath fan. I had to get here today for Ozzy. He is the one that turned me on to metal. When I heard it for the first time, I thought it was amazing. I flew to Heathrow then got the bus here.
"It's wonderful to be here with like-minded people. I'm looking forward to hearing them perform War Pigs due to what's happening in the world at the moment."
Dave Lees, 42, a guitar teacher from Stoke-on-Trent, says: "It's like Christmas Day and my birthday all rolled into one.
I’ve seen Black Sabbath five times already including when they perform the Last Supper Tour here in Brum. They are my favourite band in the world.
“It’s so good to have them performing with Guns & Roses and Metallica and the other super groups. It’s going to be special. It’s really exciting. I’ve loved rock all my life.
"It feels like a homecoming.”
Vicky Holway and Darren Holdway, Dave Lees and Leanne Lees, from StokeSANDWELL COPYRIGHT NATIONAL WORLD STEVE LEATH 05/07/25Black Sabbath and Metal fans arrive at Villa Park, Aston ahead of the big gig. Merchandise stallSANDWELL COPYRIGHT NATIONAL WORLD STEVE LEATH 05/07/25Black Sabbath and Metal fans arrive at Villa Park, Aston ahead of the big gig.SANDWELL COPYRIGHT NATIONAL WORLD STEVE LEATH 05/07/25Black Sabbath and Metal fans arrive at Villa Park, Aston ahead of the big gig.SANDWELL COPYRIGHT NATIONAL WORLD STEVE LEATH 05/07/25Black Sabbath and Metal fans arrive at Villa Park, Aston ahead of the big gig.
Steve Derry, aged 59, a retired journalist, from Staffordshire, there with son Rubens. Music student Rubens, aged 19, says: “Coming to the concert is my 19th birthday present from Mum and Dad because I'm a big rock metal fan and a lead guitarist.”
SANDWELL COPYRIGHT NATIONAL WORLD STEVE LEATH 05/07/25Black Sabbath and Metal fans arrive at Villa Park, Aston ahead of the big gig. Amber 13, Cirsty, Chris and Skyler Richardson 15, from Bury St Edmunds.
Lucy Walker and Michael Cochrane from Kirriemuir. Simon and Rachel Hall from Coventry.MerchandiseSANDWELL COPYRIGHT NATIONAL WORLD STEVE LEATH 05/07/25Black Sabbath and Metal fans arrive at Villa Park, Aston ahead of the big gig. Grace Burke and Victoria Burke from Kingstanding. Shanice Harrison from Bolton.SANDWELL COPYRIGHT NATIONAL WORLD STEVE LEATH 05/07/25Black Sabbath and Metal fans arrive at Villa Park, Aston ahead of the big gig. Stanley Scanlon from Edinburgh. Self-proclaimed Unicorn Man from Madrid.SANDWELL COPYRIGHT NATIONAL WORLD STEVE LEATH 05/07/25Black Sabbath and Metal fans arrive at Villa Park, Aston ahead of the big gig. Aden Poolton and Darren Poolton from Worcester with their gig shirts. Music fans Erin Stokes (R) and Adam Edwards (L) arrive to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fan Eddie Min arrives to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fans Harley Black (L) and Rudy Salazar (R) arrive to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Father and son music fans, both named Joao Indiani, arrive to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fan George Curry arrives to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) An Ozzy Osbourne-themed tattoo on the hand of music fan Raphael Lima as he arrives to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fans Zak Warman (L) and Kristen Chilcoat (R), from Detroit, arrive to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fan Lucas Tuckwood arrives to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fans Raphael Lima (L) and Kaley Cane (R) arrive to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fan Rita Haney, AKA 'dimebagzhag', arrives to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fan Chris Grenier arrives to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fan Shannon Lloyd arrives to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fans (L-R) Ethan Quinney, Arron Jacobs, Harry Evans, Sean Demanski arrive to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fan Nerissa Chater, wearing her father's denim jacket from the 1980s, arrives to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fans (L-R) Ethan Quinney, Arron Jacobs, Harry Evans, Sean Demanski arrive to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fan Grace Blockley arrives to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fans Charlotte Walker (L) and Stuart Purcell (R) arrive to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fans Craig Marker (L) and Camilla Sharp (R) arrive to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fans Melissa Casas (L) and Melissa Rodriguez (R) arrive to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fan Tanya Baker, from the USA, arrives to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fans Silvia Gracia (L) and Paco Gracia (R) arrive to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Ozzy Osbourne-themed socks worn by music fan Jen Sanchez as she arrives to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fan Hakan Svanberg, from Sweden, arrives to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fan Jen Sanchez arrives to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fan 'Geo' arrives to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fan Weston Moody arrives to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fan Arran Pearce arrives to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Music fan Ellie Robinson arrives to attend British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig as Black Sabbath's frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, will join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day "Back To The Beginning" show in Birmingham, central England, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
All profits from the Back to the Beginning concert are being donated equally to the following charities Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice, a Children’s Hospice supported by Aston Villa.