[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki10\/2008-09-aston-villa-f-c-season\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki10\/2008-09-aston-villa-f-c-season\/","headline":"2008\u201309 Aston Villa F.C. season","name":"2008\u201309 Aston Villa F.C. season","description":"134th season in existence of Aston Villa Aston Villa 2008\u201309 football season The 2008\u201309 season was Aston Villa’s 134th professional","datePublished":"2017-11-13","dateModified":"2017-11-13","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki10\/author\/lordneo\/#Person","name":"lordneo","url":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki10\/author\/lordneo\/","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c9645c498c9701c88b89b8537773dd7c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c9645c498c9701c88b89b8537773dd7c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Enzyklop\u00e4die","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/wiki4\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/download.jpg","url":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/wiki4\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/download.jpg","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/9\/9c\/Flag_of_Denmark.svg\/20px-Flag_of_Denmark.svg.png","url":"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/9\/9c\/Flag_of_Denmark.svg\/20px-Flag_of_Denmark.svg.png","height":"15","width":"20"},"url":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki10\/2008-09-aston-villa-f-c-season\/","wordCount":8002,"articleBody":"134th season in existence of Aston VillaAston Villa 2008\u201309 football seasonThe 2008\u201309 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 \u2013 in his third season since replacing David O’Leary. The 2008\u201309 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 \u00a33\u00a0million deal, after he had spent the second half of the 2007\u201308 season there on loan.The fixtures for the 2008\u201309 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\u201308 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.Table of ContentsPlayers[edit]First-team squad[edit]Left club during season[edit]Reserve squad[edit]Youth squad[edit]Other players[edit]Trialists[edit]Transfers[edit]Summer[edit]Winter[edit]Out on loan[edit]Competitions[edit]Overall[edit]Premier League[edit]Final league table[edit]Results summary[edit]Matches[edit]Pre-season friendlies[edit]First-Team[edit]Reserves[edit]Academy[edit]Statistics[edit]Player statistics[edit]First-Team[edit]Reserves\/Academy[edit]Squad information[edit]References[edit]External links[edit]Players[edit]First-team squad[edit]Squad at end of seasonNote: 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 \u00a32million. 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 \u00a36 million, on a three-year contract. On 12 August 2008, Aston Villa signed Carlos Cu\u00e9llar in a deal worth \u00a37.8 million on a four-year contract. Villa’s offer had triggered a release clause in Cu\u00e9llar’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 S\u00f8rensen 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 G\u00f6teborg 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.InOutWinter[edit]On 2 January 2009, Wayne Routledge signed a 3+1\u20442-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 \u00a33.5 million from Wigan Athletic. Young winger Zolt\u00e1n 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.InOutOut on loan[edit]Competitions[edit]Overall[edit]Updated to match played 12 June 2008Source: CompetitionsPremier League[edit]Final league table[edit]Source: Premier LeagueRules 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]OverallHomeAwayPldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD381711105448\u00a0+6627932721\u00a0+610272727\u00a00Matches[edit]Pre-season friendlies[edit]First-Team[edit]DateOpponentsH\/AResultScorersVenueAttendanceCompetition19 July 2008Odense Boldklub A2\u20132Carew, LaursenFionia Park12,000UEFA Intertoto Cup \u2013 3rd Round26 July 2008Odense Boldklub H1\u20130A.YoungVilla Park34,394UEFA Intertoto Cup \u2013 3rd Round14 August 2008Fimleikaf\u00e9lag Hafnarfjar\u00f0ar A4\u20131Barry, A.Young, Agbonlahor, LaursenLaugardalsv\u00f6llur2,200UEFA Cup \u2013 Second Qualifying Round17 August 2008Manchester CityH4\u20132Carew, Agbonlahor (3)Villa Park39,955Premier League23 August 2008Stoke CityA2\u20133Carew, LaursenBritannia Stadium27,500Premier League28 August 2008Fimleikaf\u00e9lag Hafnarfjar\u00f0ar H1\u20131GardnerVilla Park25,415UEFA Cup \u2013 Second Qualifying Round31 August 2008LiverpoolH0\u20130Villa Park41,647Premier League15 September 2008Tottenham HotspurA2-1Reo-Coker, A.YoungWhite Hart Lane36,076Premier League18 September 2008PFC Litex Lovech A3\u20131Reo-Coker, Barry, PetrovLovech Stadium7,000UEFA Cup \u2013 First Round21 September 2008West Bromwich AlbionA2\u20131Carew, AgbonlahorThe Hawthorns26,011Premier League24 September 2008Queens Park RangersH0\u20131Villa Park21,541League Cup27 September 2008SunderlandH2\u20131A.Young, CarewVilla Park38,706Premier League2 October 2008PFC Litex Lovech H1\u20131HarewoodVilla Park27,230UEFA Cup \u2013 First Round5 October 2008ChelseaA0\u20132Stamford Bridge41,593Premier League19 October 2008PortsmouthH0\u20130Villa Park37,660Premier League23 October 2008Ajax H2\u20131Laursen, BarryVilla Park36,657UEFA Cup \u2013 Group Stage26 October 2008Wigan AthleticA4\u20130Barry, Agbonlahor, Carew, SidwellJJB Stadium20,249Premier League29 October 2008Blackburn RoversH3\u20132L.Young, Barry, AgbonlahorVilla Park35,985Premier League3 November 2008Newcastle UnitedA0\u20132St James’ Park44,567Premier League6 November 2008Slavia Prague A1\u20130CarewSynot Tip Arena22,322UEFA Cup \u2013 Group Stage9 November 2008MiddlesbroughH1\u20132SidwellVilla Park36,672Premier League15 November 2008ArsenalA2\u20130Clichy (OG), AgbonlahorEmirates Stadium60,047Premier League22 November 2008Manchester UnitedH0\u20130Villa Park42,585Premier League29 November 2008FulhamH0\u20130Villa Park36,625Premier League4 December 2008M\u0160K \u017dilina H1\u20132DelfounesoVilla Park28,797UEFA Cup \u2013 Group Stage7 December 2008EvertonA3\u20132Sidwell, A.Young (2)Goodison Park31,922Premier League13 December 2008Bolton WanderersH4\u20132Agbonlahor (2), Davies (OG), A.YoungVilla Park35,134Premier League17 December 2008Hamburger SV A1\u20133DelfounesoHSH Nordbank Arena49,121UEFA Cup \u2013 Group Stage20 December 2008West Ham UnitedA1\u20130Neill (OG)Boleyn Ground31,353Premier League26 December 2008ArsenalH2\u20132Barry (pen), KnightVilla Park42,585Premier League30 December 2008Hull CityA1\u20130Zayatte (OG)KC Stadium24,727Premier League4 January 2009GillinghamA2\u20131Milner (2)Priestfield Stadium10,107FA Cup \u2013 Third Round10 January 2009West Bromwich AlbionH2\u20131Davies, AgbonlahorVilla Park41,757Premier League17 January 2009SunderlandA2\u20131Milner, Barry (PEN)Stadium of Light40,350Premier League24 January 2009Doncaster RoversA0\u20130Keepmoat Stadium13,517FA Cup \u2013 Fourth Round27 January 2009PortsmouthA1\u20130HeskeyFratton Park19,073Premier League31 January 2009Wigan AthleticH0\u20130Villa Park41,766Premier League4 February 2009Doncaster RoversH3\u20131Sidwell, Carew, DelfounesoVilla Park24,203FA Cup \u2013 Fourth Round Replay7 February 2009Blackburn RoversA2\u20130Milner, AgbonlahorEwood Park24,267Premier League15 February 2009EvertonA1\u20133MilnerGoodison Park35,439FA Cup \u2013 Fifth Round18 February 2009CSKA Moscow H1\u20131CarewVilla Park38,038UEFA Cup \u2013 Round of 3221 February 2009ChelseaH0\u20131Villa Park42,585Premier League26 February 2009CSKA Moscow A0\u20132Luzhniki Stadium25,650UEFA Cup \u2013 Round of 321 March 2009Stoke CityH2\u20132Petrov, CarewVilla Park39,641Premier League4 March 2009Manchester CityA0\u20132City of Manchester Stadium40,137Premier League15 March 2009Tottenham HotspurH1\u20132CarewVilla Park41,205Premier League22 March 2009LiverpoolA0\u20135Anfield44,131Premier League5 April 2009Manchester UnitedA2\u20133Carew, AgbonlahorOld Trafford75,409Premier League12 April 2009EvertonH3\u20133Carew, Milner, Barry (PEN)Villa Park40,188Premier League18 April 2009West Ham UnitedH1\u20131HeskeyVilla Park39,534Premier League25 April 2009Bolton WanderersA1\u20131A.YoungReebok Stadium21,709Premier League2 May 2009Hull CityH1\u20130CarewVilla Park39,607Premier League9 May 2009FulhamA1\u20133A.YoungCraven Cottage25,660Premier League16 May 2009MiddlesbroughA1\u20131CarewRiverside Stadium27,261Premier League24 May 2009Newcastle UnitedH1\u20130Duff (OG)Villa Park42,585Premier LeagueReserves[edit]Academy[edit]DateOpponentsH\/AResultScorersCompetition19 July 2008Queens Park RangersA6 \u2013 1A.Stieber (2), Forrester (2), Weimann (2)Friendly2 August 2008Doncaster RoversH6 \u2013 0R.Simmonds (2), G.Gardner, Poyser, Berry, ChapmanFriendly9 August 2008Plymouth ArgyleH4 \u2013 0R.Simmonds, G.Gardner, Forrester, Ja.CollinsFriendly23 August 2008Sheffield UnitedA1 \u2013 1Ja.CollinsPremier Academy League30 August 2008BarnsleyH3 \u2013 0Ja.Collins (2), GrocottPremier Academy League6 September 2008ChelseaH2 \u2013 0Weimann, Ja.CollinsPremier Academy League13 September 2008West Ham UnitedA0 \u2013 3Premier Academy League20 September 2008Norwich CityA1 \u2013 1Ja.CollinsPremier Academy League27 September 2008Tottenham HotspurH0 \u2013 2Premier Academy League4 October 2008Cardiff CityA4 \u2013 2Hofbauer, Ja.Collins, Grocott, ForresterPremier Academy League11 October 2008Coventry CityH5 \u2013 0Ja.Collins (3), Poyser, GrocottPremier Academy League19 October 2008Birmingham CityA5 \u2013 0Poyser (3), Clark, BerryPremier Academy League8 November 2008ReadingA3 \u2013 1Ja.Collins, Weimann, ForresterPremier Academy League15 November 2008WatfordH3 \u2013 2Forrester, Ja.Collins (2)Premier Academy League22 November 2008Bristol CityH4 \u2013 2Berry, Weimann (2), HofbauerPremier Academy League6 December 2008MK DonsA3 \u2013 0Ja.Collins, Blythe, A.StieberPremier Academy League10 December 2008ArsenalH2 \u2013 3Ja.Collins (2)FA Youth Cup17 January 2009Leicester CityA0 \u2013 2Premier Academy League24 January 2009ReadingH2 \u2013 1A.Stieber, Ja.CollinsPremier Academy League31 January 2009WatfordH3 \u2013 1Grocott, Bradley, Ja.CollinsPremier Academy League14 February 2009MK DonsH4 \u2013 0Ja.Collins, G.Gardner (2), MoorePremier Academy League21 February 2009Tottenham HotspurA4 \u2013 4Ja.Collins (2), Weimann, A.StieberPremier Academy League28 February 2009Birmingham CityH2 \u2013 2Forrester, Ja.CollinsPremier Academy League7 March 2009Cardiff CityH3 \u2013 2Forrester, Ja.Collins (2)Premier Academy League14 March 2009Coventry CityA0 \u2013 0Premier Academy League21 March 2009Ipswich TownH4 \u2013 2Weimann (2), Ja.Collins, A.StieberPremier Academy LeagueStatistics[edit]Player statistics[edit]First-Team[edit]Last Update: End of seasonData includes all competitive competitionsReserves\/Academy[edit]Last Update: 25 March 2009Data includes all competitionsZolt\u00e1n 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 2008Source:avfc.co.uk, players’ Wikipedia articlesOrdered by position on pitch (from back right to front left).References[edit]External links[edit]National teamsLeague competitionsLevel 1Levels 2\u20134Levels 5\u20136Levels 7\u20138Levels 9\u201310Combined Counties League (Premier, One)East Midlands Counties League (level 10 only)Eastern Counties League (Premier, One)Essex Senior League (level 9 only)Hellenic League (Premier, One East, One West)Kent League (level 9 only)Midland Alliance (level 9 only)Midland Football Combination (level 10 only)North West Counties League (Premier, One)Northern Counties East League (Premier, One)Northern League (One, Two)South West Peninsula League (level 10 only)Spartan South Midlands League (Premier, One)Sussex County League (One, Two)United Counties League (Premier, One)Wessex League (Premier, One)West Midlands (Regional) League (level 10 only)Western League (Premier, One)Cup competitionsYouth competitions"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki10\/#breadcrumbitem","name":"Enzyklop\u00e4die"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki10\/2008-09-aston-villa-f-c-season\/#breadcrumbitem","name":"2008\u201309 Aston Villa F.C. season"}}]}]