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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 £3million deal, after he had spent the second half of the 2007-08 season there on loan.
The fixtures for this 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 last season there will be 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]
[edit] First-team squad
- As of 26 July 2008.[2]
[edit] Transfers
[edit] Summer
Defender Curtis Davies signed a permanent deal at Aston Villa after a loan spell.[3] [4] England midfielder Steve Sidwell joined from Chelsea on 10 July 2008.[5] On 26 July 2008, USA goalkeeper 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 August 7, 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[6] [7] Defender Olof Mellberg left the club to sign for Italian giants Juventus after seven years at Aston Villa.[8] Thomas Sorensen 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
[edit] Winter
On 2 January 2009, Wayne Routledge signed a 3 and a half 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
[edit] Out on loan
| Pos |
Player |
To |
Start |
End |
Apps |
Goals |
| MF |
 Barry Bannan |
Derby County |
March 13, 2009 |
April 13, 2009 |
2 |
1 |
| GK |
 David Bevan |
Tamworth |
September 23, 2008 |
December 20, 2008 |
12 |
0 |
| FW |
 Marlon Harewood |
Wolves |
March 23, 2009 |
May 3, 2009 |
0 |
0 |
| DF |
Stephen O'Halloran |
Swansea City |
November 5, 2008 |
December 14, 2008 |
3 |
0 |
| MF |
Isaiah Osbourne |
Nottingham Forest |
March 2, 2009 |
May 3, 2009 |
4 |
0 |
| GK |
Stuart Taylor |
Cardiff City |
March 13, 2009 |
March 3, 2009 |
3 |
0 |
| FW |
Sam Williams |
Colchester United |
November 3, 2008 |
November 30, 2008 |
3 |
1 |
| FW |
Sam Williams |
Walsall |
January 30, 2009 |
February 26, 2009 |
5 |
1 |
| FW |
Sam Williams |
Brentford |
March 9, 2009 |
May 2, 2009 |
3 |
1 |
[edit] Competitions
[edit] Overall
Last updated: 12 June 2008
Source: Competitions' Wikipedia articles.
[edit] Premier League
[edit] Premier League table
[edit] Results summary
| Overall |
Home |
Away |
| Pld |
Pts |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
| 38 |
62 |
17 |
11 |
10 |
54 |
48 |
+6 |
7 |
9 |
3 |
27 |
21 |
+6 |
10 |
2 |
7 |
27 |
27 |
0 |
[edit] Results by round
[edit] Matches
[edit] Pre-season friendlies
[edit] First-Team
| 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 |
Carling 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 |
Stadion Eden |
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, Carson (OG) |
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 |
[edit] Reserves
[edit] Academy
| 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 |
[edit] Statistics
[edit] Player statistics
[edit] First-Team
| No. |
Pos. |
Nationality |
Player |
Apps |
 Goals |
Assists |
 YC |
 RC |
Total Apps |
Total Goals |
| 1 |
GK |
 United States |
Friedel, BradBrad Friedel |
46 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
46 |
0 |
| 2 |
DF |
England |
Young, LukeLuke Young |
43 |
1 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
43 |
1 |
| 3 |
DF |
 Netherlands |
Bouma, WilfredWilfred Bouma |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
90 |
1 |
| 4 |
MF |
England |
Sidwell, SteveSteve Sidwell |
25 |
4 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
25 |
4 |
| 5 |
DF |
 Denmark |
Laursen, MartinMartin Laursen |
24 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
91 |
11 |
| 6 |
MF |
England |
Barry, GarethGareth Barry |
48 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
0 |
440 |
52 |
| 7 |
MF |
England |
Young, AshleyAshley Young |
48 |
9 |
15 |
8 |
1 |
100 |
19 |
| 8 |
MF |
England |
Milner, JamesJames Milner |
43 |
6 |
8 |
7 |
0 |
79 |
9 |
| 9 |
FW |
England |
Harewood, MarlonMarlon Harewood |
15 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
40 |
7 |
| 10 |
FW |
 Norway |
Carew, JohnJohn Carew |
34 |
15 |
4 |
3 |
0 |
78 |
31 |
| 11 |
FW |
England |
Agbonlahor, GabrielGabriel Agbonlahor |
48 |
13 |
10 |
4 |
0 |
139 |
35 |
| 13 |
GK |
England |
Taylor, StuartStuart Taylor |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
17 |
0 |
| 14 |
FW |
England |
Delfouneso, NathanNathan Delfouneso |
13 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
13 |
3 |
| 15 |
DF |
England |
Davies, CurtisCurtis Davies |
45 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
59 |
2 |
| 16 |
DF |
England |
Knight, ZatZat Knight |
26 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
54 |
2 |
| 17 |
MF |
 Togo |
Salifou, MoustaphaMoustapha Salifou |
9 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
0 |
| 18 |
FW |
England |
Heskey, EmileEmile Heskey |
14 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
14 |
2 |
| 19 |
MF |
 Bulgaria |
Petrov, StiliyanStiliyan Petrov |
47 |
2 |
4 |
9 |
0 |
112 |
5 |
| 20 |
MF |
England |
Reo-Coker, NigelNigel Reo-Coker |
36 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
75 |
3 |
| 21 |
DF |
England |
Shorey, NickyNicky Shorey |
33 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
33 |
0 |
| 22 |
GK |
United States |
Guzan, BradBrad Guzan |
8 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
| 24 |
DF |
 Spain |
Cuellar, CarlosCarlos Cuellar |
36 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
36 |
0 |
| 26 |
MF |
England |
Gardner, CraigCraig Gardner |
30 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
77 |
6 |
| 27 |
MF |
England |
Osbourne, IsaiahIsaiah Osbourne |
6 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
29 |
0 |
| 29 |
DF |
Republic of Ireland |
O'Halloran, StephenStephen O'Halloran |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 43 |
DF |
United States |
Eric Lichaj |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 45 |
MF |
England |
Albrighton, MarcMarc Albrighton |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
| 46 |
MF |
Scotland |
Bannan, BarryBarry Bannan |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
| 47 |
DF |
England |
Ciaran Clark |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 48 |
DF |
England |
Nathan Baker |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 49 |
MF |
 Australia |
Herd, ChrisChris Herd |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 51 |
MF |
Ireland |
Shane Lowry |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
- Last Update: End of season
- Data includes all competitive competitions
[edit] Reserves/Academy
[edit] Squad information
Last updated: 12 May 2008
Source: avfc.com, players' Wikipedia articles
Ordered by position on pitch (from back right to front left).
N = number on jersey; P = position (for position name, pause mouse pointer on abbreviation); Name = name on jersey (for more extensive name, pause mouse pointer on name); Nationality: when 2 flags, 1st flag = country that plays for internationally, 2nd flag = country of birth; EU = if holds or not a European Union passport; Cap: Cap = captain, VC = vice-captain; Age = current age or age on the end of the season; Since = when the player started to be a permanent part of the squad; App and 
= only competitive appearances and goals. See source for more detail; GS = games started; Sub = appearances as substitute; Ends = when the player's contract ends; 
= undisclosed.
[edit] References
- ^ "Premier League 2008/09 fixtures announced". Premier League. 16 June 2008. http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~1328838,00.html.
- ^ "First team Squad". Aston Villa FC. http://www.avfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/FirstTeam/0,,10265,00.html. Retrieved on 2007-12-23.
- ^ "Permanent Villa move for Davies". BBC Sport. 3 July 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/7487552.stm.
- ^ "Curtis Eyes Albion Return". AVFC website. 3 July 2008. http://www.avfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~1337229,00.html.
- ^ "Sidwell signs for Villa". AVFC website. 10 July 2008. http://www.avfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~1341381,00.html.
- ^ "West Brom sign Moore from Villa". BBC Sport. 28 May 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_bromwich_albion/7423246.stm.
- ^ "Mowbray tipping Moore to flourish". BBC Sport. 29 May 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_bromwich_albion/7425718.stm.
- ^ "Mellberg to leave Villa for Juve". BBC Sport. 28 May 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/7202626.stm.
- ^ http://www.avfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~1511274,00.html Halfhuid signs
- ^ "Villa sign England striker Heskey". BBC. 2009-01-23. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/7846748.stm. Retrieved on 2009-01-25.
[edit] External links
Martin O'Neill
Patrik Berger
Olof Mellberg
Yago Bellón
Zoltán Stieber
Goals
YC
RC
Austria
Kosovo
Wales
USA
ENG
NED
DEN
ESP
IRL
TOG
BUL
NOR
= undisclosed.
