Matt Maher: Why July 20 must be considered among the most important dates in Aston Villa's history

July 20 2018 might not evoke the same kind of cherished memories for supporters as May 26 1982, or even March 24 1996, the last time their club won a major trophy.

Yet in terms of crucial moments, through 150 years of history, it is right up there, as a club which stood on the brink of financial catastrophe was rescued at the 11th hour by two billionaires in the shape of Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.

Less than six years later that same club, then stuck in the Championship having lost a play-off final, qualified for the Champions League. 

Whichever way you square it, that is quite the turnaround.

The story of how they managed it has now been told in full, for the first time, in Waking The Giant: Inside the Rebirth of Aston Villa, released this week.

Let’s get one major declaration of interest out of the way. I co-authored the book, along with my long-time colleague (and rival) Gregg Evans.

As journalists, we chronicled the story of Villa's resurgence day-to-day, myself for the Express & Star and Gregg for other publications.

We thought we knew it, or at least most of it. Yet going back over the past, speaking again to old contacts now in a position to talk more freely than before, we quickly realised we barely knew the half of it. What struck home in particular was the countless little moments where good decision-making, or in some cases blind luck, meant fate fell Villa’s favour, all adding up to success, when things could so easily have played out a very different way.