On match days at Villa Park, behind tall, wrought-iron gates you'll spot row upon row of gleaming, top-of-the-range sports cars. Whatever's said about the spoiled nature of the modern footballer, in one respect at least, discipline still rules the day. Villa players and key Villa staff have their allocated spots within these privileged walls, and that's where they have to park their vehicles. Period.

Except for one man. 

Match day or not, parking bay or not, Sir Doug Ellis could leave his shining Rolls Royce wherever he pleased. Such was the regard in which the man who helmed the club for 31 years was held.

Sir Doug - or 'Deadly' as he was known to many -  unfortunately passed away last week at the age of 94. And whilst Villa fans can debate the legacy he leaves behind at the club he loved dearly, one thing that's not in dispute is the impact he had outside of football.

Because his name doesn't just adorn a stand at Villa Park. A committed philanthropist, with millions of pounds of charitable donations to his name, you'll find buildings or areas named after Sir Doug at the University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University and Aston University too.

Whilst his generosity expanded beyond universities as well, it's one recent act of educational kindness that's particularly worth remembering following Sir Doug's passing.

The Sir Doug Ellis Pathway to Healthcare Programme was launched by Aston University in 2016 to help West Midlands students from non-traditional backgrounds (such as those who'd be the first in their family to attend university) gain a place at medical school or in other healthcare professions.

So far, more than 200 people have benefitted from the Programme. These are students who'd likely have otherwise lacked the skills or confidence to forge a career in medicine, but who thanks to Doug will be the region's future doctors and life savers. Many will attend the newly-launched, socially-inclusive Aston Medical School.

You can learn more about the Pathway Programme and Aston Medical School via the video link below, but don't forget one of the people who made it all possible.

RIP, Doug.