Celebrating the legacy of Ozzy Osborne and Black Sabbath, adidas and Aston Villa have revealed a limited edition Predator boot and kit, which will be worn on the field when Aston Villa face Crystal Palace in their Carabao Cup fixture.
Following on from the work the band did for the launch video of the partnership between adidas x Villa earlier in the summer, the Three Stripes has revealed a collaboration with the club and rock icons Black Sabbath. The collaboration features a limited-edition Predator football boot and a specially designed Aston Villa shirt that pays homage to Ozzy Osbourne, the “Prince of Darkness,” and his legendary band and both will be worn in upcoming fixtures – the kit in Villa’s Carabao cup match against Crystal Palace this evening, and the Predator (specially created for Emi Martinez by boot customiser, Jordan Dawson) when the newly crowned Yashin trophy winner feels like it really.
Starting with the custom version of the Predator 24, and as mentioned, it was hand-painted by artist Jordan Dawson. Inspired by Osbourne’s unparalleled legacy, Dawson’s design channelled various themes, drawing on the iconic albums from the band as well as their live shows that made them one of the most popular bands of all time. Together, they encapsulate Black Sabbath’s aesthetic through a colour palette that embodies the band’s signature style, creating a striking, cohesive visual.
The eagle-eyed among you will notice that there are actually two pairs of the Predator 24 – fold-over tongue and regular laced. The latter are for Martinez, while the tongued version has been created for Ozzy himself.
Speaking to his custom design Jordan said: “Hand-painting this design onto one of adidas’ most celebrated boots allowed me to merge fine artistry, sport, and the spirit of heavy metal music, resulting in a truly one-of-a-kind custom piece. This collaboration brings together creativity and craftsmanship, offering a unique expression that stands out in both the world of sports and art.”
As well as the Predator, adidas and Aston Villa are releasing a limited-edition shirt emblazoned with “Black Sabbath” on the back.
Speaking about the collection, Rock Hall of Fame Legend Ozzy Osbourne said: “My absolute favourite colours in the world have always been purple and black. It’s been Black Sabbath colours for over 50 years. Tony, Geezer, Bill and I look at this as a huge honour. UP THE VILLA!!”
The Predator will not be available for retail, and only 250 Aston Villa shirts will be available to buy from the club shop with a Black Sabbath patch (200 home shirts, 50 black goalkeeper).
