Aston Villa Football Club

Aston Villa Football Club was founded in 1874. They are based in Birmingham and are one of the four English clubs to have won the European Cup which is now called the UEFA Champions League. They won the European Cup in 1982. They are a very successful club and have won both the F.A. Cup and the First Division trophy seven times while they have the fourth highest tally of honors won by an English club.

They moved to their present home ground Villa Park in 1897 which has a crowd capacity of 42,786. Their traditional outfit is a claret shirt with blue sleeves and white shorts. The crest contains a golden lion on a light blue background.

Club Chairman:
Randy Lerner

Club Manager:
Alex McLeish: Alex McLeish has just joined the club from city neighbors Birmingham City. Aston Villa soccer club had Gerrard Houliett as their previous manager.

Club Legends:
Trevor Ford, Paul Mcgrath, Gordon Cowans

Current Captain
The current captain of Aston Villa Football Club is the Bulgarian maestro Stiliyan Petrov.

Club Records:
Aston Villa soccer club enjoyed their most successful period from 1893-1900 winning five first division titles and two F.A. cups. They last won a trophy in 1996 when they won the Carling Cup.

Club Rivals:
Birmingham City, Wolverhampton Rovers, West Bromwich Albion

Interesting Fact:
Aston Villa completed their 100th season in top flight of English football in 2010-11 season.

Written by Moiz Siddiqui

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Latest News About Aston Villa Football Club

QPR vs. Aston Villa Review |EPL| Sun, 25 Sep, 2011

Final Score:  QPR 1-1 Aston Villa

Goal scorers:  QPR (Dunne, 90) (o.g) Aston Villa (Bannan, 58) (pen.)

Bookings:

QPR: Traore (s/o)

Udinese: Collins, Warnock, Hutton, Petrov, Agbonlahor, N’Zogbia

Man of the Match: James Collins

 

Aston Villa maintained their unbeaten run in the Premier league with an away draw against QPR at Loftus Road Stadium. QPR were very unfortunate to have gained only a single point from the match having dominated the game and creating the most chances.

QPR started the match on a high note and threatened to score early in the first half but Jay Bothroyd’s powerful run and shot was blocked by David Dunne. Adel Taarabt was next to go close for QPR but his 30 yard strike cannoned off the post. Despite the early pressure exerted by QPR they were unable to find a way past the Villa defence in the first half. In the second half Villa played better and started to influence the game. The Villains were awarded a penalty in the 58^th minute when Gabriel Agbonlahor was brought down in the box by Armand Traore. Bannan stepped up to take the penalty and slotted it easily past the QPR keeper to give Aston Villa a shock lead.

QPR were reduced to 10 men when Armand Traore was sent off in the dying stages because of a second bookable offence. QPR did however managed to equalize deep into stoppage time when Helguson’s cross was put into his own net by David Dunne.

Aston Villa have a home game coming up next against Wigan while QPR are going to travel to Fulham next week.

Aston Villa vs. Newcastle United Preview |EPL| Sat, 17 Sep, 2011

Aston Villa grabbed a point in their last fixture against Everton thanks to a late Gabriel Agbonlahor goal. Villa were off the pace in that match and were lucky to leave Goodison Park with a point. Newcastle on the other hand were also lucky to draw against QPR in their last match.

Villa manager Alex McLeish would be hoping for a better performance from his team in this game and would want three points for sure. Aston Villa have been good at home and would like to keep their home form going. Newcastle have had a good start to the season and would like to build on that start with either a win or a draw at Villa Park.

Aston Villa are going to be without Jermaine Jenas and Emile Heskey for this game as both players suffered injuries and are going to be out for the foreseeable future. Newcastle do not have any injury worries at the moment and manager Alan Pardew is set to field the same side that drew against QPR at Loftus Road on Monday.

Both teams are coming of the back of draws and would appreciate a win. Villa being the home side are in pole position to win the game while Newcastle would be happy if they could manage to get a point from this game.

 

Aston Villa Player to Watch: Agbonlahor

Newcastle Player to Watch: Leon Best

Venue: Villa Park

Form guide:
Aston Villa: LDWWD
Newcastle: DWWWD

Injuries:

Aston Villa: Jenas, Heskey
Newcastle: None

USoccers Prediction: Aston Villa 2-0 Newcastle United

Everton vs. Aston Villa Review |EPL| Sat, 10 Sep, 2011

Final Score:  Everton 2-2 Aston Villa

Goal scorers:  Everton (Osman, 19; Baines, 69) Aston Villa (Petrov 63; Agbonlahor, 83)

Bookings:

Everton: Phil Jagielka

Aston Villa: Gabriel Agbonlahor

Man of the Match: Leon Osman

 

Everton and Aston Villa played out a draw at Goodison Park which turned out to be the most entertaining game of the weekend. Everton deserved to win the match but failed to do so as Villa grabbed a late equaliser through Gabriel Agbonlahor who shined yet again for Villa despite having a quiet game.

Everton were quick out of the blocks and got the lead thanks to a superb goal from Leon Osman in the 19^th minute. Everton kept the pressure on the visitors all through the first half but were unable to score despite getting many good opportunities.

Everton were to rue the missed chances as Aston Villa grabbed the equaliser through Stiliyan Petrov who gave no chance to Everton keeper Tim Howard with a curling 30 yard strike that nestled in the top corner. Everton responded immediately and got ahead again through a Leyton Baines penalty when Osman was brought down in the box. Everton looked set to win the game from there on but a late strike by Gabriel Agbonlahor denied the Toffees the chance to get all three points.

Everton manager David Moyes was not pleased with his side’s inability to restrict the Villains from securing a draw which enabled Aston Villa to maintain their unbeaten record this season.

 

Everton vs. Aston Villa Preview |EPL| Sat, 10 Sep, 2011

Everton would like to build on their win against Blackburn and would like to climb up the table with a home victory against Aston Villa. Villa on the other hand would like to regroup after they were held to frustrating draw by Wolverhampton Wanderers at Villa Park.

Everton have been finding hard to keep players and lost their influential Spanish midfielder Mikael Arteta on transfer deadline day to Arsenal. They have managed to get new players though in Rodston Drenthe and Denis Stracqualursi who will both want to impress their new manager. Villa got Jenas and Hutton on deadline day and they might also play a part in the game at some point in time.

Everton manager David Moyes has been struggling with selection woes and he now has to deal with injuries too. Both Victor Anichebe and Leyton Baines got injured during international duty and are doubtful to start against Villa. Aston villa on the other hand have their injury concerns of their own with Darren Bent a not a 100% fit to face Everton. The England striker is “touch and go” to face Everton but it is hoped that he will be available for the fixture.

Everton want a win so that they can prove that there is still life left after Arteta while Aston Villa would like to out the frustrating draw behind them and return to winning ways.

 

Everton Player to Watch: Tim Cahill

Aston Villa Player to Watch: Agbonlahor

Venue: Goodison Park

Form guide:
Everton: LLLWW
Aston Villa: LDWWD

Injuries:

Everton: Anichebe, Baines
Aston Villa: Darren Bent

USoccers Prediction: Everton 0-1 Aston Villa

 

Aston Villa vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers Preview |EPL| Sat, 27 Aug, 2011

Aston Villa will welcome Wolves at the Villa Park in an unlikely top of the table clash. Both teams have made a positive start to the season with Wolves winning both their Premier League games while Villa winning one game and drawing the other.

Wolves have been terrific thus far in both the PL games as they defeated Blackburn away and then thrashed Fulham at home to be level on points with Manchester City and United.

Aston Villa on the other hand do not enjoy a perfect record but they are also one of the teams to have not been beaten as Villa drew against Fulham away and won against Blackburn at home.

There are no injury concerns for Alex McLeish while Ebanks Blake is the only notable absentee for Wolves.

Aston Villa were last beaten at Villa Park by Wolves and would like to take revenge while Wolves would be looking to repeat the history once again.

Aston Villa Player to Watch: Gabby Agbonlahor

Wolves Player to Watch: Matt Jarvis

Venue: Villa Park

Form guide:

Villa: LWDWW

Wolves: WLWWW

Injuries:

Villa: —–

Wolves: Sylvain Ebanks Blake

USoccers Prediction: Aston Villa 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

 

Aston Villa vs. Blackburn Rovers Preview |EPL| Sat, 20 Aug, 2011

Aston Villa will play their first home game against Blackburn Rovers this Saturday. Aston Villa showed resilience and determination as they avoided defeat against Fulham last Saturday after playing a goalless draw. Blackburn on the other hand, lost their first game even after taking the lead against fellow strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Aston Villa boss Alex Mcleish was happy with the new signings as both Given and N’Zogbia played excellently. Blackburn’s Formica was the most impressive against Wolves as he scored in his first league appearance after arriving at the club in January.

There are no real injury concerns for Villa while Blackburn are going to miss Givet and Brett Emerton due to injury.

Aston Villa fans must be expecting a strong display at home against Blackburn while Blackburn fans would be expecting a better performance from Steve Kean’s team this Saturday.

Aston Villa Player to Watch: Charles N’Zogbia

Sunderland Player to Watch: Christopher Samba

Venue: Villa Park

Form guide (last season):
Aston Villa: DLDWWD
Blackburn: LWDDWL

Injuries:
Aston Villa: Carlos Cuellar
Blackburn: Gael Givet, Brett Emerton

USoccers Prediction: Aston Villa 2-0 Blackburn Rovers

 

Fulham vs. Aston Villa Preview |EPL| Sat, 13 Aug, 2011

Aston Villa and Fulham both finished in the top half of the table last year and would like to build on their respective seasons. Both clubs have got new managers at the club. Gerrard Houllier resigned from Villa’s manager post due to health issues while Mark Hughes resigned from his post at Fulham as well after the season finished.

Martin Jol has taken over the role as manager for Fulham while ex- Birmingham manager Alex Mcleish- to the dismay of Villa fans- has become the new Aston Villa manager.

Aston Villa has lost two of its influential wingers- Ashley Young and Stuart Downing and reliable keeper Brad Friedel. However, shrewd signings of N’Zogbia and Shay Given have somewhat brought calm to the Villans. Jol has added experience in the form of Riise, Kasami and Gekov at Fulham.

Collins and Cuellar are doubtful for the game for Aston Villa while Simon Davies may also not feature for Fulham.

Steve Sidwell will surely make the Fulham line-up to face his old club. New signings Given and N’Zogbia for Villa and Riise for Fulham are expected to start the match.

It would be an intriguing battle with both coaches wanting a winning start with their new clubs. Mcleish needs to begin strongly in order to instill faith in the fans while Jol would be looking to maintain Fulham’s extraordinary record at Craven Cottage.

Aston Villa Player to Watch: N’Zogbia

Fulham Player to Watch: Clint Dempsey

Venue: Craven Cottage

Form guide (last season):
Fulham: DWWLWD
Villa: WDLDWW

Injuries:
Fulham:Davies
Villa: Cuellar, Collins

USoccers Prediction: 1-1

 

Aston Villa 2011-12 Preview- Difficult Times Ahead

Aston Villa will have to once again rely on their young guns to control the center of the park. The club has been dealt severe blows in the transfer market with Milner departing last season and Ashley Young and Downing leaving the club this time around. It may well come down to the quality of the youngsters which will decide Villa’s fate.

Star Man: Darrent Bent

Darrent Bent’s 9 strikes in 9 appearances after he signed from Sunderland in January were key to Villa’s survival last season. He took Villa from the relegation spots to finish 9^th in the Premier League. However, with two key players departing this season, Bent will have to score a lot of goals to keep Villa in the top10.

One to Watch: Ciaran Clark

Clark played some matches last season and was impressive. He can certainly cement his place in the first XI this season in the back 4 and is certainly the one to watch.

Manager: Alex Mcleish

Aston Villa fans started to riot when Mcleish was signed from neighbors Birmingham. Mcleish does not hold an impressive CV as Birmingham got relegated under his management. He must make some signings before the transfer window closes if he really wants to take Villa to greater heights.

Ins:

Charles N’Zogbia (£ 9,500,000 from Wigan Athletic-Winger)

Shay Given (Undisclosed from Manchester City- GK)

OUTs:

Stewart Downing (Undisclosed to Liverpool)

Ashley Young (Undisclosed to Manchester United)

Brad Friedel (Undisclosed to Tottenham Hotspurs)

John Carew (Released)

Nigel Reo Coker (Free transfer to Bolton Wanderers)

Best Signing:

Charles N’Zogbia is a perfect replacement for Stewart Downing. He has a powerful left-foot, is dynamic and can really form a lethal combination with Darren Bent

Likely Top Scorer:

Darren Bent has the skill to really become the League’s top goal scorer let alone Villa’s top scorer.

Possible Best XI:

Given, Collins, Dunne, Clark, Luke Young, Jean II Makoun, Stiylian Petrov, Charles N’Zogbia, Marc Albrighton, Darren Bent, Gabby Agbonlahor

Predicted Finish: 10^th

 

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Arsenal Wins Against Aston Villa

Arsenal hosted the game versus Aston Villa on Sunday, December 27, 2009.  With these teams both in the top four.  It gave the chance for Villa to show what they are really made of and fight for a Champions League spot but it would be quite difficult to play at the Emirates Stadium.  Alternatively, Arsenal was looking for ways to keep their title hopes alive and needed to win for them to keep up with Man U and Chelsea.  

Cesc Fabregas the Arsenal captain came off to inspire the Gunners to a 3-0 win against Aston Villa which drag them back into the title race of the Barclays Premier League.  The Spaniard, who has not played for a while due to a hamstring problem, scored a superb free-kick on 65 minutes then converted another score to breakaway before he was substituted as a precaution.  Abou Diaby scored another in stop time at Emirates Stadium, curling in a from the edge of the area after a run.