Ramsay came to join Aston Villa almost by accident. Walking past a Villa players' practice match in Aston Park in 1876, he was asked to make up the numbers. Impressed by his skills, the Villa players invited him to join the club, and he soon became captain. Ramsay later described the newly formed club's approach to the game as 'a dash at the man and a big kick at the ball'. He also took charge of training which saw dramatic improvement that showed in the results, introducing what was known as the "passing game". This had become the main style of play in Scotland whereas in England most teams relied on what was known as the "dribbling game".