134th season in existence of Aston Villa
Aston Villa 2008–09 football season
The 2008–09 Premier League season was Aston Villa's 134th season in English football . It was the club 's 98th season in the top-flight and their 21st consecutive season in the top flight. 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.
*Villa passed up sponsorship for the 2008-09 season and instead displayed the children's hospice charity, Acorns.
Date Pos Player From Fee 3 July 2008 CB Curtis Davies West Bromwich Albion £8,000,000 10 July 2008 CM Steve Sidwell Chelsea £5,000,000 26 July 2008 GK Brad Friedel Blackburn Rovers £2,500,000 1 August 2008 GK Brad Guzan Chivas USA £600,000 7 August 2008 LB Nicky Shorey Reading £2,000,000 8 August 2008 RB Luke Young Middlesbrough £6,000,000 12 August 2008 CB Carlos Cuéllar Rangers £7,800,000 30 August 2008 RM James Milner Newcastle United £12,000,000 23 January 2009 CF Emile Heskey Wigan Athletic £3,500,000 £45,400,000
Record
Date Pos Player From Loan End
Overall transfer activity [ edit ] £45,400,000
£6,600,000
£38,800,000
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.
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.
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.
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.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Updated to match played 12 June 2008 Source: Competitions
Source:
Premier League 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. 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
Pre-season friendlies [ 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 18 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
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
Last Update: End of season Data includes all competitive competitions 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. Last updated: 12 May 2008 Source: avfc.co.uk , players' Wikipedia articles Ordered by position on pitch (from back right to front left).
National teams
League competitions
Level 1 Levels 2–4 Levels 5–6 Levels 7–8 Levels 9–10 Combined 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 competitions
FA cups Football League cups
Youth competitions