2008–09 Aston Villa F.C. season
134th season in existence of Aston Villa
Aston Villa 2008–09 football season
The 2008–09 season was Aston Villa’s 134th professional season; their 98th season in the top-flight and their 21st consecutive season in the top flight of English football, the Premier League. They were managed by Martin O’Neill – in his third season since replacing David O’Leary. The 2008–09 season was the first spell in European competition for O’Neill, and the first for Villa, in 6 seasons.
The club’s first summer signing was the permanent capture of on-loan West Brom centre-back, Curtis Davies, in July, while their first sale was made in May, as Luke Moore completed a move to West Brom in an initial £3 million deal, after he had spent the second half of the 2007–08 season there on loan.
The fixtures for the 2008–09 season were announced on Monday 16 June 2008, with Aston Villa beginning at home against Manchester City and finishing the season at home to Newcastle. Due to Birmingham’s relegation at the end of the 2007–08 season, there was no Second City derby, however they faced local rivals West Brom on 20 September 2008 at The Hawthorns and on 10 January 2009 at home.[1]
In December 2008, Everton player and boyhood Villa fan, Joleon Lescott put two past Villa and still lost the match following Ashley Young’s “brilliant” equalizer.[2]
After 25 games, having qualified for the UEFA Cup as joint winners of the Intertoto Cup, the club were third in the table on 51 points, 2 points above Chelsea on level games and 7 points above Arsenal in 5th place and on course for a place in the Champions League for the first time since 1983. O’Neill decided to prioritise Champions League qualification above all else, fielding a virtual reserve side for a UEFA Cup game against CSKA Moscow which was subsequently lost.[3] Following this, Villa failed to win any of the next 8 league games and improving form for Arsenal & Chelsea meant that Villa failed to reach the top 4.
Players[edit]
First-team squad[edit]
- Squad at end of season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Left club during season[edit]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Reserve squad[edit]
- The following players made most of their appearances for the reserve team this season, and did not appear for the first team.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Youth squad[edit]
- The following players made most of their appearances for the youth team this season, but may have also appeared for the reserves.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Other players[edit]
- The following players did not appear for any squad this season.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Trialists[edit]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Transfers[edit]
Summer[edit]
Defender Curtis Davies signed a permanent deal at Aston Villa after a loan spell.[4][5] English midfielder Steve Sidwell joined from Chelsea on 10 July 2008.[6] On 26 July 2008, former USA shot-stopper Brad Friedel signed from Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee, thought to be £2million. On 7 August 2008 Aston Villa completed the signing of Nicky Shorey on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. Also on 7 August 2008, Aston Villa completed the signing of Luke Young in a deal that could reach £6 million, on a three-year contract. On 12 August 2008, Aston Villa signed Carlos Cuéllar in a deal worth £7.8 million on a four-year contract. Villa’s offer had triggered a release clause in Cuéllar’s contract with Rangers.
Luke Moore made his loan move to West Bromwich Albion a permanent deal[7][8] Defender Olof Mellberg left the club to sign for Italian giants Juventus after seven years at Aston Villa.[9]Thomas Sørensen was also released at the end of his contract after 5 years of service, Stoke City eventually signed the Denmark international on a free transfer. Twins Damian and Yago Bellon left Villa after 2 years with the club, as Damian signed for FC Vaduz in Liechtenstein, whilst Yago joined Swiss side FC St. Gallen. Elsewhere, Irish youngster Danny Earls joined American USL team Rochester Rhinos, and defender Erik Lund returned home to join IFK Göteborg in Sweden. Lund was the only released youngster who played for the first-team during his time with the club, coming on as a substitute in a pre-season victory over Walsall in August 2007. Shaun Maloney was the last to leave the club in the summer transfer window, returning to Celtic after a frustrating spell under Martin O’Neill.
In
Out
Winter[edit]
On 2 January 2009, Wayne Routledge signed a 3+1⁄2-year deal with Queens Park Rangers, following a loan spell at fellow Championship club Cardiff City. Villa confirmed their first signing of the window four days later, in the form of 17-year-old Dutch defender Arsenio Halfhuid from SBV Excelsior, who signed for an undisclosed fee. On 23 January 2009, Emile Heskey followed, signing for £3.5 million from Wigan Athletic. Young winger Zoltán Stieber was the final player to leave Villa Park during January, as he signed for TuS Koblenz for an undisclosed fee, after failing to break into the first-team. Swiss U17 goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist also signed from FC Basel during this month.
- In
- Out
Out on loan[edit]
Competitions[edit]
Overall[edit]
Updated to match played 12 June 2008
Source: Competitions
Premier League[edit]
Final league table[edit]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
Notes:
- ^ a b Since both finalists of the FA Cup (Chelsea and Everton) and the League Cup winners (Manchester United) qualified for the European competitions based on their league position, the sixth-placed team (Aston Villa) received a berth in the Europa League play-off round and the seventh-placed team (Fulham) received a berth in the Europa League third qualifying round.
Results summary[edit]
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 38 | 17 | 11 | 10 | 54 | 48 | +6 | 62 | 7 | 9 | 3 | 27 | 21 | +6 | 10 | 2 | 7 | 27 | 27 | 0 |
Matches[edit]
Pre-season friendlies[edit]
First-Team[edit]
| Date | Opponents | H/A | Result | Scorers | Venue | Attendance | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 July 2008 | Odense Boldklub 
|
A | 2–2 | Carew, Laursen | Fionia Park | 12,000 | UEFA Intertoto Cup – 3rd Round |
| 26 July 2008 | Odense Boldklub
|
H | 1–0 | A.Young | Villa Park | 34,394 | UEFA Intertoto Cup – 3rd Round |
| 14 August 2008 | Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðar 
|
A | 4–1 | Barry, A.Young, Agbonlahor, Laursen | Laugardalsvöllur | 2,200 | UEFA Cup – Second Qualifying Round |
| 17 August 2008 | Manchester City | H | 4–2 | Carew, Agbonlahor (3) | Villa Park | 39,955 | Premier League |
| 23 August 2008 | Stoke City | A | 2–3 | Carew, Laursen | Britannia Stadium | 27,500 | Premier League |
| 28 August 2008 | Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðar
|
H | 1–1 | Gardner | Villa Park | 25,415 | UEFA Cup – Second Qualifying Round |
| 31 August 2008 | Liverpool | H | 0–0 | Villa Park | 41,647 | Premier League | |
| 15 September 2008 | Tottenham Hotspur | A | 2-1 | Reo-Coker, A.Young | White Hart Lane | 36,076 | Premier League |
| 18 September 2008 | PFC Litex Lovech 
|
A | 3–1 | Reo-Coker, Barry, Petrov | Lovech Stadium | 7,000 | UEFA Cup – First Round |
| 21 September 2008 | West Bromwich Albion | A | 2–1 | Carew, Agbonlahor | The Hawthorns | 26,011 | Premier League |
| 24 September 2008 | Queens Park Rangers | H | 0–1 | Villa Park | 21,541 | League Cup | |
| 27 September 2008 | Sunderland | H | 2–1 | A.Young, Carew | Villa Park | 38,706 | Premier League |
| 2 October 2008 | PFC Litex Lovech
|
H | 1–1 | Harewood | Villa Park | 27,230 | UEFA Cup – First Round |
| 5 October 2008 | Chelsea | A | 0–2 | Stamford Bridge | 41,593 | Premier League | |
| 19 October 2008 | Portsmouth | H | 0–0 | Villa Park | 37,660 | Premier League | |
| 23 October 2008 | Ajax 
|
H | 2–1 | Laursen, Barry | Villa Park | 36,657 | UEFA Cup – Group Stage |
| 26 October 2008 | Wigan Athletic | A | 4–0 | Barry, Agbonlahor, Carew, Sidwell | JJB Stadium | 20,249 | Premier League |
| 29 October 2008 | Blackburn Rovers | H | 3–2 | L.Young, Barry, Agbonlahor | Villa Park | 35,985 | Premier League |
| 3 November 2008 | Newcastle United | A | 0–2 | St James’ Park | 44,567 | Premier League | |
| 6 November 2008 | Slavia Prague 
|
A | 1–0 | Carew | Synot Tip Arena | 22,322 | UEFA Cup – Group Stage |
| 9 November 2008 | Middlesbrough | H | 1–2 | Sidwell | Villa Park | 36,672 | Premier League |
| 15 November 2008 | Arsenal | A | 2–0 | Clichy (OG), Agbonlahor | Emirates Stadium | 60,047 | Premier League |
| 22 November 2008 | Manchester United | H | 0–0 | Villa Park | 42,585 | Premier League | |
| 29 November 2008 | Fulham | H | 0–0 | Villa Park | 36,625 | Premier League | |
| 4 December 2008 | MŠK Žilina 
|
H | 1–2 | Delfouneso | Villa Park | 28,797 | UEFA Cup – Group Stage |
| 7 December 2008 | Everton | A | 3–2 | Sidwell, A.Young (2) | Goodison Park | 31,922 | Premier League |
| 13 December 2008 | Bolton Wanderers | H | 4–2 | Agbonlahor (2), Davies (OG), A.Young | Villa Park | 35,134 | Premier League |
| 17 December 2008 | Hamburger SV 
|
A | 1–3 | Delfouneso | HSH Nordbank Arena | 49,121 | UEFA Cup – Group Stage |
| 20 December 2008 | West Ham United | A | 1–0 | Neill (OG) | Boleyn Ground | 31,353 | Premier League |
| 26 December 2008 | Arsenal | H | 2–2 | Barry (pen), Knight | Villa Park | 42,585 | Premier League |
| 30 December 2008 | Hull City | A | 1–0 | Zayatte (OG) | KC Stadium | 24,727 | Premier League |
| 4 January 2009 | Gillingham | A | 2–1 | Milner (2) | Priestfield Stadium | 10,107 | FA Cup – Third Round |
| 10 January 2009 | West Bromwich Albion | H | 2–1 | Davies, Agbonlahor | Villa Park | 41,757 | Premier League |
| 17 January 2009 | Sunderland | A | 2–1 | Milner, Barry (PEN) | Stadium of Light | 40,350 | Premier League |
| 24 January 2009 | Doncaster Rovers | A | 0–0 | Keepmoat Stadium | 13,517 | FA Cup – Fourth Round | |
| 27 January 2009 | Portsmouth | A | 1–0 | Heskey | Fratton Park | 19,073 | Premier League |
| 31 January 2009 | Wigan Athletic | H | 0–0 | Villa Park | 41,766 | Premier League | |
| 4 February 2009 | Doncaster Rovers | H | 3–1 | Sidwell, Carew, Delfouneso | Villa Park | 24,203 | FA Cup – Fourth Round Replay |
| 7 February 2009 | Blackburn Rovers | A | 2–0 | Milner, Agbonlahor | Ewood Park | 24,267 | Premier League |
| 15 February 2009 | Everton | A | 1–3 | Milner | Goodison Park | 35,439 | FA Cup – Fifth Round |
| 18 February 2009 | CSKA Moscow 
|
H | 1–1 | Carew | Villa Park | 38,038 | UEFA Cup – Round of 32 |
| 21 February 2009 | Chelsea | H | 0–1 | Villa Park | 42,585 | Premier League | |
| 26 February 2009 | CSKA Moscow
|
A | 0–2 | Luzhniki Stadium | 25,650 | UEFA Cup – Round of 32 | |
| 1 March 2009 | Stoke City | H | 2–2 | Petrov, Carew | Villa Park | 39,641 | Premier League |
| 4 March 2009 | Manchester City | A | 0–2 | City of Manchester Stadium | 40,137 | Premier League | |
| 15 March 2009 | Tottenham Hotspur | H | 1–2 | Carew | Villa Park | 41,205 | Premier League |
| 22 March 2009 | Liverpool | A | 0–5 | Anfield | 44,131 | Premier League | |
| 5 April 2009 | Manchester United | A | 2–3 | Carew, Agbonlahor | Old Trafford | 75,409 | Premier League |
| 12 April 2009 | Everton | H | 3–3 | Carew, Milner, Barry (PEN) | Villa Park | 40,188 | Premier League |
| 18 April 2009 | West Ham United | H | 1–1 | Heskey | Villa Park | 39,534 | Premier League |
| 25 April 2009 | Bolton Wanderers | A | 1–1 | A.Young | Reebok Stadium | 21,709 | Premier League |
| 2 May 2009 | Hull City | H | 1–0 | Carew | Villa Park | 39,607 | Premier League |
| 9 May 2009 | Fulham | A | 1–3 | A.Young | Craven Cottage | 25,660 | Premier League |
| 16 May 2009 | Middlesbrough | A | 1–1 | Carew | Riverside Stadium | 27,261 | Premier League |
| 24 May 2009 | Newcastle United | H | 1–0 | Duff (OG) | Villa Park | 42,585 | Premier League |
Reserves[edit]
Academy[edit]
| Date | Opponents | H/A | Result | Scorers | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 July 2008 | Queens Park Rangers | A | 6 – 1 | A.Stieber (2), Forrester (2), Weimann (2) | Friendly |
| 2 August 2008 | Doncaster Rovers | H | 6 – 0 | R.Simmonds (2), G.Gardner, Poyser, Berry, Chapman | Friendly |
| 9 August 2008 | Plymouth Argyle | H | 4 – 0 | R.Simmonds, G.Gardner, Forrester, Ja.Collins | Friendly |
| 23 August 2008 | Sheffield United | A | 1 – 1 | Ja.Collins | Premier Academy League |
| 30 August 2008 | Barnsley | H | 3 – 0 | Ja.Collins (2), Grocott | Premier Academy League |
| 6 September 2008 | Chelsea | H | 2 – 0 | Weimann, Ja.Collins | Premier Academy League |
| 13 September 2008 | West Ham United | A | 0 – 3 | Premier Academy League | |
| 20 September 2008 | Norwich City | A | 1 – 1 | Ja.Collins | Premier Academy League |
| 27 September 2008 | Tottenham Hotspur | H | 0 – 2 | Premier Academy League | |
| 4 October 2008 | Cardiff City | A | 4 – 2 | Hofbauer, Ja.Collins, Grocott, Forrester | Premier Academy League |
| 11 October 2008 | Coventry City | H | 5 – 0 | Ja.Collins (3), Poyser, Grocott | Premier Academy League |
| 19 October 2008 | Birmingham City | A | 5 – 0 | Poyser (3), Clark, Berry | Premier Academy League |
| 8 November 2008 | Reading | A | 3 – 1 | Ja.Collins, Weimann, Forrester | Premier Academy League |
| 15 November 2008 | Watford | H | 3 – 2 | Forrester, Ja.Collins (2) | Premier Academy League |
| 22 November 2008 | Bristol City | H | 4 – 2 | Berry, Weimann (2), Hofbauer | Premier Academy League |
| 6 December 2008 | MK Dons | A | 3 – 0 | Ja.Collins, Blythe, A.Stieber | Premier Academy League |
| 10 December 2008 | Arsenal | H | 2 – 3 | Ja.Collins (2) | FA Youth Cup |
| 17 January 2009 | Leicester City | A | 0 – 2 | Premier Academy League | |
| 24 January 2009 | Reading | H | 2 – 1 | A.Stieber, Ja.Collins | Premier Academy League |
| 31 January 2009 | Watford | H | 3 – 1 | Grocott, Bradley, Ja.Collins | Premier Academy League |
| 14 February 2009 | MK Dons | H | 4 – 0 | Ja.Collins, G.Gardner (2), Moore | Premier Academy League |
| 21 February 2009 | Tottenham Hotspur | A | 4 – 4 | Ja.Collins (2), Weimann, A.Stieber | Premier Academy League |
| 28 February 2009 | Birmingham City | H | 2 – 2 | Forrester, Ja.Collins | Premier Academy League |
| 7 March 2009 | Cardiff City | H | 3 – 2 | Forrester, Ja.Collins (2) | Premier Academy League |
| 14 March 2009 | Coventry City | A | 0 – 0 | Premier Academy League | |
| 21 March 2009 | Ipswich Town | H | 4 – 2 | Weimann (2), Ja.Collins, A.Stieber | Premier Academy League |
Statistics[edit]
Player statistics[edit]
First-Team[edit]
- Last Update: End of season
- Data includes all competitive competitions
Reserves/Academy[edit]
- Last Update: 25 March 2009
- Data includes all competitions
- Zoltán Stieber signed for TuS Koblenz on 29 January 2009. Conor Devlin and Aldi Haxhia were signed on emergency short-term loan deals. Both returned to Manchester United and Chelsea respectively.
Squad information[edit]
- Last updated: 12 May 2008
- Source:avfc.co.uk, players’ Wikipedia articles
- Ordered by position on pitch (from back right to front left).
References[edit]
External links[edit]
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