Aston Villa F.C. season 2008-09
Encyclopedia
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.
(Loaned to Wolverhampton Wanderers
during the playing season)
(Signed from Wigan Athletic
during the playing season)
(Transferred to Q.P.R.
during the playing season)
(Loaned to Nottingham Forest
during the playing season)
(Transferred to Celtic
during the playing season)
(Loaned to Swansea City during the playing season)
(Loaned to Derby County
during the playing season)
signed a permanent deal at Aston Villa after a loan spell. English midfielder Steve Sidwell
joined from Chelsea
on 10 July 2008. 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 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 Defender Olof Mellberg
left the club to sign for Italian giants Juventus after seven years at Aston Villa. 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
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
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.
(Retired during the playing season)
(Loaned to Wolverhampton Wanderers
during the playing season)
(Signed from Wigan Athletic
during the playing season)
(Transferred to Q.P.R.
during the playing season)
(Loaned to Nottingham Forest
during the playing season)
(Transferred to Celtic
during the playing season)
(Loaned to Swansea City during the playing season)
(Loaned to Derby County
during the playing season)
signed a permanent deal at Aston Villa after a loan spell. English midfielder Steve Sidwell
joined from Chelsea
on 10 July 2008. 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 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 Defender Olof Mellberg
left the club to sign for Italian giants Juventus after seven years at Aston Villa. 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
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
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.
(Retired during the playing season)
(Loaned to Wolverhampton Wanderers
during the playing season)
(Signed from Wigan Athletic
during the playing season)
(Transferred to Q.P.R.
during the playing season)
(Loaned to Nottingham Forest
during the playing season)
(Transferred to Celtic
during the playing season)
(Loaned to Swansea City during the playing season)
(Loaned to Derby County
during the playing season)
signed a permanent deal at Aston Villa after a loan spell. English midfielder Steve Sidwell
joined from Chelsea
on 10 July 2008. 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 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 Defender Olof Mellberg
left the club to sign for Italian giants Juventus after seven years at Aston Villa. 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
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
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
'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
Martin O'Neill
Martin Hugh Michael O'Neill, OBE, is a Northern Irish football manager and former player.Until resigning the post on 9 August 2010, he was manager of Aston Villa. Starting his career in his native Northern Ireland, O'Neill moved to England where he spent most of his playing career with Nottingham...
– in his third season since replacing David O'Leary
David O'Leary
David Anthony O'Leary is an Irish football manager and former player. His managerial career began at Leeds United and later he managed Aston Villa. He most recently worked as the manager of Al-Ahli Dubai...
. The 2008–09 season was the first spell in European competition
UEFA Intertoto Cup 2008
The 2008 UEFA Intertoto Cup was the last UEFA Intertoto Cup football tournament, the 14th to be organised by UEFA and the third since the competition's format was given a major overhaul. Three rounds were held, and eleven teams qualified for the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup. The draw...
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
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
centre-back, Curtis Davies
Curtis Davies
Curtis Eugene Davies is an English professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Birmingham City. Davies has previously played for Luton Town, where he began his career, West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa and Leicester City....
, in July, while their first sale was made in May, as Luke Moore
Luke Moore
Luke Moore is an English football striker who currently plays for Swansea City. Moore has represented England at U21 level and is the younger brother of fellow former professional footballer, Stefan Moore.-Aston Villa:...
completed a move to West Brom
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
in an initial £3 million deal, after he had spent the second half of the 2007–08 season
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
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
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
and finishing the season at home to Newcastle
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
. Due to Birmingham
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
's relegation at the end of the 2007–08 season, there was no "second-city" derby
Birmingham derby
In English football, the Second City derby is the local derby between the two major clubs in the city of Birmingham, England – Aston Villa and Birmingham City....
, however they faced local rivals West Brom on 20 September 2008 at The Hawthorns
The Hawthorns
The Hawthorns is an all-seater football stadium in West Bromwich, Sandwell, England, with a capacity of 26,484. It has been the home of West Bromwich Albion F.C. since 1900, when it became the sixth ground to be used by the club. The ground was the last Football League ground to be built in the...
and on 10 January 2009 at home.
Squad
(Retired during the playing season)(Loaned to Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
during the playing season)
(Signed from Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
during the playing season)
(Transferred to Q.P.R.
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
during the playing season)
(Loaned to Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
during the playing season)
(Transferred to Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
during the playing season)
(Loaned to Swansea City during the playing season)
(Loaned to Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
during the playing season)
Summer
Defender Curtis DaviesCurtis Davies
Curtis Eugene Davies is an English professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Birmingham City. Davies has previously played for Luton Town, where he began his career, West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa and Leicester City....
signed a permanent deal at Aston Villa after a loan spell. English midfielder Steve Sidwell
Steve Sidwell
Steven James "Steve" Sidwell is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Fulham in the Premier League. His previous clubs include Arsenal, Reading, Chelsea and Aston Villa.-Arsenal:...
joined from Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
on 10 July 2008. On 26 July 2008, former USA
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
shot-stopper Brad Friedel
Brad Friedel
Bradley Howard Friedel is an American soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League....
signed from Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee, thought to be £2million. On 7 August 2008 Aston Villa completed the signing of Nicky Shorey
Nicky Shorey
Nicholas "Nicky" Robert Shorey is an English footballer who currently plays for West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League as a left-back.-Leyton Orient:...
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
Carlos Cuéllar
Carlos Javier Cuéllar Jiménez is a Spanish footballer who plays for Aston Villa. He is primarily a central defender, but can also operate as a right-back.-Early career:...
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
Luke Moore
Luke Moore is an English football striker who currently plays for Swansea City. Moore has represented England at U21 level and is the younger brother of fellow former professional footballer, Stefan Moore.-Aston Villa:...
made his loan move to West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
a permanent deal Defender Olof Mellberg
Olof Mellberg
Erik Olof Mellberg is a Swedish international footballer currently playing for Olympiacos in the Greek Superleague. He generally plays as a central defender or right-back.-Early years:...
left the club to sign for Italian giants Juventus after seven years at Aston Villa. Thomas Sørensen
Thomas Sørensen
Thomas Løvendahl Sørensen is a Danish professional football goalkeeper, who plays for Premier League club Stoke City. He has previously represented Premiership teams Sunderland and Aston Villa....
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
FC Vaduz
FC Vaduz is a Liechtenstein football club from Vaduz, that play in the Swiss Football League. The club plays at the national Rheinpark Stadion, which has a capacity of 6,127 when all seated but has additional standing places in the North and South ends of the ground, giving a total stadium capacity...
in Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein
The Principality of Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked alpine country in Central Europe, bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and by Austria to the east. Its area is just over , and it has an estimated population of 35,000. Its capital is Vaduz. The biggest town is Schaan...
, whilst Yago joined Swiss side FC St. Gallen
FC St. Gallen
Football Club St. Gallen 1879 is a Swiss football club based in St. Gallen. The club is currently playing in the 2011/12 Swiss Challenge League.-Brief history:...
. Elsewhere, Irish youngster Danny Earls
Danny Earls
Danny Earls is an Irish footballer who is currently playing for Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-Europe:...
joined American USL
USL
USL may refer to:Arts and entertainment* Underground Sound of Lisbon, a Portuguese dance music project* Urban Strawberry Lunch, a Band from LiverpoolComputing* Universal Systems Language, a language for system engineering and software development...
team Rochester Rhinos, and defender Erik Lund
Erik Lund (footballer)
Erik Lund is a professional footballer who currently plays for IFK Göteborg in the Allsvenskan.Lund began his career at Ljungskile SK, before signing for Aston Villa on 1 July 2005...
returned home to join IFK Göteborg
IFK Göteborg
IFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups....
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
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
in August 2007. Shaun Maloney
Shaun Maloney
Shaun Richard Maloney is a Scottish footballer who plays for English club Wigan Athletic in the Premier League and for the Scotland national team. He plays on either Wing or as a Striker and occasionally as an Attacking Midfielder...
was the last to leave the club in the summer transfer window, returning to Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
after a frustrating spell under Martin O'Neill
Martin O'Neill
Martin Hugh Michael O'Neill, OBE, is a Northern Irish football manager and former player.Until resigning the post on 9 August 2010, he was manager of Aston Villa. Starting his career in his native Northern Ireland, O'Neill moved to England where he spent most of his playing career with Nottingham...
.
In
| July 3, 2008 | DF |  Curtis DaviesCurtis Davies Curtis Eugene Davies is an English professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Birmingham City. Davies has previously played for Luton Town, where he began his career, West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa and Leicester City.... |
West Bromwich Albion West Bromwich Albion F.C. West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands... |
Undisclosed |
| July 10, 2008 | MF | Steve Sidwell Steve Sidwell Steven James "Steve" Sidwell is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Fulham in the Premier League. His previous clubs include Arsenal, Reading, Chelsea and Aston Villa.-Arsenal:... |
Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... |
£5m |
| July 26, 2008 | GK |  Brad FriedelBrad Friedel Bradley Howard Friedel is an American soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.... |
Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Rovers F.C. Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.... |
Undisclosed |
| August 1, 2008 | GK | Brad Guzan Brad Guzan Bradley Edwin "Brad" Guzan is an American soccer player who plays for Aston Villa of the Premier League.-Early Career:... |
Chivas USA | Undisclosed |
| August 7, 2008 | DF | Nicky Shorey Nicky Shorey Nicholas "Nicky" Robert Shorey is an English footballer who currently plays for West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League as a left-back.-Leyton Orient:... |
Reading Reading F.C. Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship... |
Undisclosed |
| August 7, 2008 | DF | Luke Young |
Middlesbrough Middlesbrough F.C. Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889... |
£6m |
| August 12, 2008 | DF |  Carlos CuéllarCarlos Cuéllar Carlos Javier Cuéllar Jiménez is a Spanish footballer who plays for Aston Villa. He is primarily a central defender, but can also operate as a right-back.-Early career:... |
Rangers Rangers F.C. Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses... |
£7.8m |
| August 29, 2008 | MF | James Milner James Milner Milner was described as a "first class" student at his school; he left with 11 GCSEs and an award for his performance in physical education. Milner also showed talent in cricket, sprinting and long-distance running... |
Newcastle Newcastle United F.C. Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger... |
£12m |
Out
| Date | Pos. | Name | To | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 28, 2008 | FW | Luke Moore Luke Moore Luke Moore is an English football striker who currently plays for Swansea City. Moore has represented England at U21 level and is the younger brother of fellow former professional footballer, Stefan Moore.-Aston Villa:... |
West Brom West Bromwich Albion F.C. West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands... |
£3m |
| May 29, 2008 | MF |  Patrik BergerPatrik Berger Patrik Berger is a retired Czech footballer. He has played in Czech Republic, Germany, and England. He is best remembered for his time at Liverpool.... |
Sparta Prague | Free |
| July 1, 2008 | DF |  Olof MellbergOlof Mellberg Erik Olof Mellberg is a Swedish international footballer currently playing for Olympiacos in the Greek Superleague. He generally plays as a central defender or right-back.-Early years:... |
Juventus | Free |
| July 1, 2008 | GK |  Thomas SørensenThomas Sørensen Thomas Løvendahl Sørensen is a Danish professional football goalkeeper, who plays for Premier League club Stoke City. He has previously represented Premiership teams Sunderland and Aston Villa.... |
Stoke City | Free |
| July 1, 2008 | MF |  Yagó BellónYagó Bellón Yagó Bellón is a Swiss association footballer of Spanish descent. He currently plays for FC Kreuzlingen.Primarily right-footed, Bellón can operate in midfield or as a full-back... |
FC St. Gallen FC St. Gallen Football Club St. Gallen 1879 is a Swiss football club based in St. Gallen. The club is currently playing in the 2011/12 Swiss Challenge League.-Brief history:... |
Free |
| July 1, 2008 | MF | Damian Bellón Damian Bellón Damian Bellón is a Swiss footballer, who currently is an free agent.- Career :Damian moved on 11 July 2006 with his twin brother Yagó Bellón from FC St. Gallen to Aston Villa... |
FC Vaduz FC Vaduz FC Vaduz is a Liechtenstein football club from Vaduz, that play in the Swiss Football League. The club plays at the national Rheinpark Stadion, which has a capacity of 6,127 when all seated but has additional standing places in the North and South ends of the ground, giving a total stadium capacity... |
Free |
| July 1, 2008 | DF | Erik Lund Erik Lund (footballer) Erik Lund is a professional footballer who currently plays for IFK Göteborg in the Allsvenskan.Lund began his career at Ljungskile SK, before signing for Aston Villa on 1 July 2005... |
IFK Göteborg IFK Göteborg IFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups.... |
Free |
| July 1, 2008 | MF |  Danny EarlsDanny Earls Danny Earls is an Irish footballer who is currently playing for Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-Europe:... |
Rochester Rhinos | Free |
| August 22, 2008 | FW |  Shaun MaloneyShaun Maloney Shaun Richard Maloney is a Scottish footballer who plays for English club Wigan Athletic in the Premier League and for the Scotland national team. He plays on either Wing or as a Striker and occasionally as an Attacking Midfielder... |
Celtic Celtic F.C. Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the... |
Undisclosed |
Winter
On 2 January 2009, Wayne RoutledgeWayne Routledge
Wayne Neville Anthony Routledge is an English footballer who plays for Swansea City. He plays as a midfielder predominantly on the right wing but can also play on the left. He has represented England at under-16, under-19 and under-21 level...
signed a 3 and a half year deal with Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
, following a loan spell at fellow Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
club Cardiff City
Cardiff city
Cardiff City may refer to:* Cardiff city centre* Cardiff City Council* Cardiff City F.C.* Cardiff City L.F.C.* Cardiff City Stadium...
. Villa confirmed their first signing of the window four days later, in the form of 17-year-old Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
defender Arsenio Halfhuid from SBV Excelsior, who signed for an undisclosed fee. On 23 January 2009, Emile Heskey
Emile Heskey
Emile William Ivanhoe Heskey is an English footballer who plays for Aston Villa as a striker.Born in Leicester, Heskey started his career with hometown club Leicester City after progressing through their youth system, making his first team debut in 1995...
followed, signing for £3.5 million from Wigan Athletic. Young winger Zoltán Stieber
Zoltán Stieber
Zoltán Stieber is a Hungarian professional footballer who currently plays for Bundesliga side FSV Mainz 05 and the Hungary national football team....
was the final player to leave Villa Park
Villa Park
Villa Park may mean:United Kingdom* Villa Park, an association football stadium in Birmingham, EnglandUnited States* Villa Park, California, a small city in Orange County* Villa Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in DuPage County...
during January, as he signed for TuS Koblenz
TuS Koblenz
TuS Koblenz is a German association football club, located in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate. Fussball Club Deutschland Neuendorf, which was formed in 1911, is viewed as the foundation of the modern club.-Play under the Third Reich:...
for an undisclosed fee, after failing to break into the first-team. Swiss U17 goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist also signed from FC Basel
FC Basel
Fussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the...
during this month.
In
| Date | Pos. | Name | From | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 7, 2009 | DF |  Arsenio HalfhuidAston Villa F.C. Reserves and Academy Aston Villa Reserves are the reserve team of Aston Villa, they have been part of the FA Premier Reserve League since its foundation in 1999 and are current holders of the Premier Reserve League South title. The team plays its home games at Villa Park - during the months of Autumn and Spring - and... |
Excelsior | Undisclosed |
| January 15, 2009 | GK | Benjamin Siegrist |
FC Basel FC Basel Fussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the... |
Undisclosed |
| January 23, 2009 | FW |  Emile HeskeyEmile Heskey Emile William Ivanhoe Heskey is an English footballer who plays for Aston Villa as a striker.Born in Leicester, Heskey started his career with hometown club Leicester City after progressing through their youth system, making his first team debut in 1995... |
Wigan Athletic Wigan Athletic F.C. Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW... |
£3.5m |
Out
| Date | Pos. | Name | To | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2, 2009 | MF | Wayne Routledge Wayne Routledge Wayne Neville Anthony Routledge is an English footballer who plays for Swansea City. He plays as a midfielder predominantly on the right wing but can also play on the left. He has represented England at under-16, under-19 and under-21 level... |
Queens Park Rangers Queens Park Rangers F.C. Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years... |
Undisclosed |
| January 29, 2009 | MF |  Zoltán StieberZoltán Stieber Zoltán Stieber is a Hungarian professional footballer who currently plays for Bundesliga side FSV Mainz 05 and the Hungary national football team.... |
TuS Koblenz TuS Koblenz TuS Koblenz is a German association football club, located in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate. Fussball Club Deutschland Neuendorf, which was formed in 1911, is viewed as the foundation of the modern club.-Play under the Third Reich:... |
Free |
Out on loan
| Pos | Player | To | Start | End | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MF |  Barry BannanBarry Bannan Barry Bannan is a Scottish professional footballer who plays for English Premier League club Aston Villa. He plays as a midfielder and is a Scotland full international, and also represented under-21 and B levels... |
Derby County Derby County F.C. Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English... |
March 13, 2009 | April 13, 2009 | 10 | 1 |
| GK | David Bevan | Tamworth Tamworth F.C. Tamworth Football Club are an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Nicknamed 'The Lambs', they are currently members of the Conference National, the fifth highest tier in the English league system.... |
September 23, 2008 | December 20, 2008 | 12 | 0 |
| FW | Marlon Harewood Marlon Harewood Marlon Anderson Harewood is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Guangzhou R&F in China.Harewood started his career at Nottingham Forest. During his career there, he had loan spells at Haka and Ipswich Town before joining West Ham United in 2003 and then Aston Villa in 2007... |
Wolves | March 23, 2009 | May 3, 2009 | 5 | 0 |
| DF | Stephen O'Halloran Stephen O'Halloran Stephen Edward O'Halloran is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Carlisle United in League One, the third tier of English football. He began his professional career in the Premier League with Aston Villa and earned two full international caps for the Republic of Ireland in... |
Swansea City | November 5, 2008 | December 14, 2008 | 3 | 0 |
| MF | Isaiah Osbourne |
Nottingham Forest | March 2, 2009 | May 3, 2009 | 8 | 0 |
| GK | Stuart Taylor |
Cardiff City Cardiff city Cardiff City may refer to:* Cardiff city centre* Cardiff City Council* Cardiff City F.C.* Cardiff City L.F.C.* Cardiff City Stadium... |
March 13, 2009 | May 3, 2009 | 8 | 0 |
| FW | Sam Williams Sam Williams (footballer) Sam Williams is an English footballer who plays for Dagenham & Redbridge.-Career:Naturally a defensive midfielder before the start of the 2005–06 season, Williams took straight into the role of an attacker, after injuries to strikers... |
Colchester United | November 3, 2008 | November 30, 2008 | 3 | 1 |
| FW | Sam Williams Sam Williams (footballer) Sam Williams is an English footballer who plays for Dagenham & Redbridge.-Career:Naturally a defensive midfielder before the start of the 2005–06 season, Williams took straight into the role of an attacker, after injuries to strikers... |
Walsall Walsall F.C. Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second... |
January 30, 2009 | February 26, 2009 | 5 | 1 |
| FW | Sam Williams Sam Williams (footballer) Sam Williams is an English footballer who plays for Dagenham & Redbridge.-Career:Naturally a defensive midfielder before the start of the 2005–06 season, Williams took straight into the role of an attacker, after injuries to strikers... |
Brentford Brentford F.C. Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One.... |
March 9, 2009 | May 2, 2009 | 3 | 1 |
Overall
- Premier League: Sixth
- League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
: Third Round (Knocked out by Q.P.R.Queens Park Rangers F.C.Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
) - FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
: Fifth Round (Knocked out by EvertonEverton F.C.Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
) - UEFA Intertoto CupUEFA Intertoto CupThe UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for European clubs that had not qualified for one of the two major UEFA competitions, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. The competition was discontinued...
: N/A - UEFA CupUEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
: Round of 32 (Knocked out by CSKA Moscow)
The 2008–09 season was Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
'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
Martin O'Neill
Martin Hugh Michael O'Neill, OBE, is a Northern Irish football manager and former player.Until resigning the post on 9 August 2010, he was manager of Aston Villa. Starting his career in his native Northern Ireland, O'Neill moved to England where he spent most of his playing career with Nottingham...
– in his third season since replacing David O'Leary
David O'Leary
David Anthony O'Leary is an Irish football manager and former player. His managerial career began at Leeds United and later he managed Aston Villa. He most recently worked as the manager of Al-Ahli Dubai...
. The 2008–09 season was the first spell in European competition
UEFA Intertoto Cup 2008
The 2008 UEFA Intertoto Cup was the last UEFA Intertoto Cup football tournament, the 14th to be organised by UEFA and the third since the competition's format was given a major overhaul. Three rounds were held, and eleven teams qualified for the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup. The draw...
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
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
centre-back, Curtis Davies
Curtis Davies
Curtis Eugene Davies is an English professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Birmingham City. Davies has previously played for Luton Town, where he began his career, West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa and Leicester City....
, in July, while their first sale was made in May, as Luke Moore
Luke Moore
Luke Moore is an English football striker who currently plays for Swansea City. Moore has represented England at U21 level and is the younger brother of fellow former professional footballer, Stefan Moore.-Aston Villa:...
completed a move to West Brom
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
in an initial £3 million deal, after he had spent the second half of the 2007–08 season
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
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
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
and finishing the season at home to Newcastle
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
. Due to Birmingham
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
's relegation at the end of the 2007–08 season, there was no "second-city" derby
Birmingham derby
In English football, the Second City derby is the local derby between the two major clubs in the city of Birmingham, England – Aston Villa and Birmingham City....
, however they faced local rivals West Brom on 20 September 2008 at The Hawthorns
The Hawthorns
The Hawthorns is an all-seater football stadium in West Bromwich, Sandwell, England, with a capacity of 26,484. It has been the home of West Bromwich Albion F.C. since 1900, when it became the sixth ground to be used by the club. The ground was the last Football League ground to be built in the...
and on 10 January 2009 at home.
Squad
(Retired during the playing season)
(Loaned to Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
during the playing season)
(Signed from Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
during the playing season)
(Transferred to Q.P.R.
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
during the playing season)
(Loaned to Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
during the playing season)
(Transferred to Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
during the playing season)
(Loaned to Swansea City during the playing season)
(Loaned to Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
during the playing season)
Summer
Defender Curtis DaviesCurtis Davies
Curtis Eugene Davies is an English professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Birmingham City. Davies has previously played for Luton Town, where he began his career, West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa and Leicester City....
signed a permanent deal at Aston Villa after a loan spell. English midfielder Steve Sidwell
Steve Sidwell
Steven James "Steve" Sidwell is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Fulham in the Premier League. His previous clubs include Arsenal, Reading, Chelsea and Aston Villa.-Arsenal:...
joined from Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
on 10 July 2008. On 26 July 2008, former USA
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
shot-stopper Brad Friedel
Brad Friedel
Bradley Howard Friedel is an American soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League....
signed from Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee, thought to be £2million. On 7 August 2008 Aston Villa completed the signing of Nicky Shorey
Nicky Shorey
Nicholas "Nicky" Robert Shorey is an English footballer who currently plays for West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League as a left-back.-Leyton Orient:...
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
Carlos Cuéllar
Carlos Javier Cuéllar Jiménez is a Spanish footballer who plays for Aston Villa. He is primarily a central defender, but can also operate as a right-back.-Early career:...
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
Luke Moore
Luke Moore is an English football striker who currently plays for Swansea City. Moore has represented England at U21 level and is the younger brother of fellow former professional footballer, Stefan Moore.-Aston Villa:...
made his loan move to West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
a permanent deal Defender Olof Mellberg
Olof Mellberg
Erik Olof Mellberg is a Swedish international footballer currently playing for Olympiacos in the Greek Superleague. He generally plays as a central defender or right-back.-Early years:...
left the club to sign for Italian giants Juventus after seven years at Aston Villa. Thomas Sørensen
Thomas Sørensen
Thomas Løvendahl Sørensen is a Danish professional football goalkeeper, who plays for Premier League club Stoke City. He has previously represented Premiership teams Sunderland and Aston Villa....
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
FC Vaduz
FC Vaduz is a Liechtenstein football club from Vaduz, that play in the Swiss Football League. The club plays at the national Rheinpark Stadion, which has a capacity of 6,127 when all seated but has additional standing places in the North and South ends of the ground, giving a total stadium capacity...
in Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein
The Principality of Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked alpine country in Central Europe, bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and by Austria to the east. Its area is just over , and it has an estimated population of 35,000. Its capital is Vaduz. The biggest town is Schaan...
, whilst Yago joined Swiss side FC St. Gallen
FC St. Gallen
Football Club St. Gallen 1879 is a Swiss football club based in St. Gallen. The club is currently playing in the 2011/12 Swiss Challenge League.-Brief history:...
. Elsewhere, Irish youngster Danny Earls
Danny Earls
Danny Earls is an Irish footballer who is currently playing for Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-Europe:...
joined American USL
USL
USL may refer to:Arts and entertainment* Underground Sound of Lisbon, a Portuguese dance music project* Urban Strawberry Lunch, a Band from LiverpoolComputing* Universal Systems Language, a language for system engineering and software development...
team Rochester Rhinos, and defender Erik Lund
Erik Lund (footballer)
Erik Lund is a professional footballer who currently plays for IFK Göteborg in the Allsvenskan.Lund began his career at Ljungskile SK, before signing for Aston Villa on 1 July 2005...
returned home to join IFK Göteborg
IFK Göteborg
IFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups....
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
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
in August 2007. Shaun Maloney
Shaun Maloney
Shaun Richard Maloney is a Scottish footballer who plays for English club Wigan Athletic in the Premier League and for the Scotland national team. He plays on either Wing or as a Striker and occasionally as an Attacking Midfielder...
was the last to leave the club in the summer transfer window, returning to Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
after a frustrating spell under Martin O'Neill
Martin O'Neill
Martin Hugh Michael O'Neill, OBE, is a Northern Irish football manager and former player.Until resigning the post on 9 August 2010, he was manager of Aston Villa. Starting his career in his native Northern Ireland, O'Neill moved to England where he spent most of his playing career with Nottingham...
.
In
| July 3, 2008 | DF | Curtis Davies Curtis Davies Curtis Eugene Davies is an English professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Birmingham City. Davies has previously played for Luton Town, where he began his career, West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa and Leicester City.... |
West Bromwich Albion West Bromwich Albion F.C. West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands... |
Undisclosed |
| July 10, 2008 | MF | Steve Sidwell Steve Sidwell Steven James "Steve" Sidwell is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Fulham in the Premier League. His previous clubs include Arsenal, Reading, Chelsea and Aston Villa.-Arsenal:... |
Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... |
£5m |
| July 26, 2008 | GK | Brad Friedel Brad Friedel Bradley Howard Friedel is an American soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.... |
Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Rovers F.C. Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.... |
Undisclosed |
| August 1, 2008 | GK | Brad Guzan Brad Guzan Bradley Edwin "Brad" Guzan is an American soccer player who plays for Aston Villa of the Premier League.-Early Career:... |
Chivas USA | Undisclosed |
| August 7, 2008 | DF | Nicky Shorey Nicky Shorey Nicholas "Nicky" Robert Shorey is an English footballer who currently plays for West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League as a left-back.-Leyton Orient:... |
Reading Reading F.C. Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship... |
Undisclosed |
| August 7, 2008 | DF | Luke Young |
Middlesbrough Middlesbrough F.C. Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889... |
£6m |
| August 12, 2008 | DF | Carlos Cuéllar Carlos Cuéllar Carlos Javier Cuéllar Jiménez is a Spanish footballer who plays for Aston Villa. He is primarily a central defender, but can also operate as a right-back.-Early career:... |
Rangers Rangers F.C. Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses... |
£7.8m |
| August 29, 2008 | MF | James Milner James Milner Milner was described as a "first class" student at his school; he left with 11 GCSEs and an award for his performance in physical education. Milner also showed talent in cricket, sprinting and long-distance running... |
Newcastle Newcastle United F.C. Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger... |
£12m |
Out
| Date | Pos. | Name | To | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 28, 2008 | FW | Luke Moore Luke Moore Luke Moore is an English football striker who currently plays for Swansea City. Moore has represented England at U21 level and is the younger brother of fellow former professional footballer, Stefan Moore.-Aston Villa:... |
West Brom West Bromwich Albion F.C. West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands... |
£3m |
| May 29, 2008 | MF | Patrik Berger Patrik Berger Patrik Berger is a retired Czech footballer. He has played in Czech Republic, Germany, and England. He is best remembered for his time at Liverpool.... |
Sparta Prague | Free |
| July 1, 2008 | DF | Olof Mellberg Olof Mellberg Erik Olof Mellberg is a Swedish international footballer currently playing for Olympiacos in the Greek Superleague. He generally plays as a central defender or right-back.-Early years:... |
Juventus | Free |
| July 1, 2008 | GK | Thomas Sørensen Thomas Sørensen Thomas Løvendahl Sørensen is a Danish professional football goalkeeper, who plays for Premier League club Stoke City. He has previously represented Premiership teams Sunderland and Aston Villa.... |
Stoke City | Free |
| July 1, 2008 | MF | Yagó Bellón Yagó Bellón Yagó Bellón is a Swiss association footballer of Spanish descent. He currently plays for FC Kreuzlingen.Primarily right-footed, Bellón can operate in midfield or as a full-back... |
FC St. Gallen FC St. Gallen Football Club St. Gallen 1879 is a Swiss football club based in St. Gallen. The club is currently playing in the 2011/12 Swiss Challenge League.-Brief history:... |
Free |
| July 1, 2008 | MF | Damian Bellón Damian Bellón Damian Bellón is a Swiss footballer, who currently is an free agent.- Career :Damian moved on 11 July 2006 with his twin brother Yagó Bellón from FC St. Gallen to Aston Villa... |
FC Vaduz FC Vaduz FC Vaduz is a Liechtenstein football club from Vaduz, that play in the Swiss Football League. The club plays at the national Rheinpark Stadion, which has a capacity of 6,127 when all seated but has additional standing places in the North and South ends of the ground, giving a total stadium capacity... |
Free |
| July 1, 2008 | DF | Erik Lund Erik Lund (footballer) Erik Lund is a professional footballer who currently plays for IFK Göteborg in the Allsvenskan.Lund began his career at Ljungskile SK, before signing for Aston Villa on 1 July 2005... |
IFK Göteborg IFK Göteborg IFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups.... |
Free |
| July 1, 2008 | MF | Danny Earls Danny Earls Danny Earls is an Irish footballer who is currently playing for Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-Europe:... |
Rochester Rhinos | Free |
| August 22, 2008 | FW | Shaun Maloney Shaun Maloney Shaun Richard Maloney is a Scottish footballer who plays for English club Wigan Athletic in the Premier League and for the Scotland national team. He plays on either Wing or as a Striker and occasionally as an Attacking Midfielder... |
Celtic Celtic F.C. Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the... |
Undisclosed |
Winter
On 2 January 2009, Wayne RoutledgeWayne Routledge
Wayne Neville Anthony Routledge is an English footballer who plays for Swansea City. He plays as a midfielder predominantly on the right wing but can also play on the left. He has represented England at under-16, under-19 and under-21 level...
signed a 3 and a half year deal with Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
, following a loan spell at fellow Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
club Cardiff City
Cardiff city
Cardiff City may refer to:* Cardiff city centre* Cardiff City Council* Cardiff City F.C.* Cardiff City L.F.C.* Cardiff City Stadium...
. Villa confirmed their first signing of the window four days later, in the form of 17-year-old Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
defender Arsenio Halfhuid from SBV Excelsior, who signed for an undisclosed fee. On 23 January 2009, Emile Heskey
Emile Heskey
Emile William Ivanhoe Heskey is an English footballer who plays for Aston Villa as a striker.Born in Leicester, Heskey started his career with hometown club Leicester City after progressing through their youth system, making his first team debut in 1995...
followed, signing for £3.5 million from Wigan Athletic. Young winger Zoltán Stieber
Zoltán Stieber
Zoltán Stieber is a Hungarian professional footballer who currently plays for Bundesliga side FSV Mainz 05 and the Hungary national football team....
was the final player to leave Villa Park
Villa Park
Villa Park may mean:United Kingdom* Villa Park, an association football stadium in Birmingham, EnglandUnited States* Villa Park, California, a small city in Orange County* Villa Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in DuPage County...
during January, as he signed for TuS Koblenz
TuS Koblenz
TuS Koblenz is a German association football club, located in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate. Fussball Club Deutschland Neuendorf, which was formed in 1911, is viewed as the foundation of the modern club.-Play under the Third Reich:...
for an undisclosed fee, after failing to break into the first-team. Swiss U17 goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist also signed from FC Basel
FC Basel
Fussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the...
during this month.
In
| Date | Pos. | Name | From | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 7, 2009 | DF | Arsenio Halfhuid Aston Villa F.C. Reserves and Academy Aston Villa Reserves are the reserve team of Aston Villa, they have been part of the FA Premier Reserve League since its foundation in 1999 and are current holders of the Premier Reserve League South title. The team plays its home games at Villa Park - during the months of Autumn and Spring - and... |
Excelsior | Undisclosed |
| January 15, 2009 | GK | Benjamin Siegrist |
FC Basel FC Basel Fussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the... |
Undisclosed |
| January 23, 2009 | FW | Emile Heskey Emile Heskey Emile William Ivanhoe Heskey is an English footballer who plays for Aston Villa as a striker.Born in Leicester, Heskey started his career with hometown club Leicester City after progressing through their youth system, making his first team debut in 1995... |
Wigan Athletic Wigan Athletic F.C. Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW... |
£3.5m |
Out
| Date | Pos. | Name | To | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2, 2009 | MF | Wayne Routledge Wayne Routledge Wayne Neville Anthony Routledge is an English footballer who plays for Swansea City. He plays as a midfielder predominantly on the right wing but can also play on the left. He has represented England at under-16, under-19 and under-21 level... |
Queens Park Rangers Queens Park Rangers F.C. Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years... |
Undisclosed |
| January 29, 2009 | MF | Zoltán Stieber Zoltán Stieber Zoltán Stieber is a Hungarian professional footballer who currently plays for Bundesliga side FSV Mainz 05 and the Hungary national football team.... |
TuS Koblenz TuS Koblenz TuS Koblenz is a German association football club, located in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate. Fussball Club Deutschland Neuendorf, which was formed in 1911, is viewed as the foundation of the modern club.-Play under the Third Reich:... |
Free |
Out on loan
| Pos | Player | To | Start | End | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MF | Barry Bannan Barry Bannan Barry Bannan is a Scottish professional footballer who plays for English Premier League club Aston Villa. He plays as a midfielder and is a Scotland full international, and also represented under-21 and B levels... |
Derby County Derby County F.C. Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English... |
March 13, 2009 | April 13, 2009 | 10 | 1 |
| GK | David Bevan | Tamworth Tamworth F.C. Tamworth Football Club are an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Nicknamed 'The Lambs', they are currently members of the Conference National, the fifth highest tier in the English league system.... |
September 23, 2008 | December 20, 2008 | 12 | 0 |
| FW | Marlon Harewood Marlon Harewood Marlon Anderson Harewood is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Guangzhou R&F in China.Harewood started his career at Nottingham Forest. During his career there, he had loan spells at Haka and Ipswich Town before joining West Ham United in 2003 and then Aston Villa in 2007... |
Wolves | March 23, 2009 | May 3, 2009 | 5 | 0 |
| DF | Stephen O'Halloran Stephen O'Halloran Stephen Edward O'Halloran is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Carlisle United in League One, the third tier of English football. He began his professional career in the Premier League with Aston Villa and earned two full international caps for the Republic of Ireland in... |
Swansea City | November 5, 2008 | December 14, 2008 | 3 | 0 |
| MF | Isaiah Osbourne |
Nottingham Forest | March 2, 2009 | May 3, 2009 | 8 | 0 |
| GK | Stuart Taylor |
Cardiff City Cardiff city Cardiff City may refer to:* Cardiff city centre* Cardiff City Council* Cardiff City F.C.* Cardiff City L.F.C.* Cardiff City Stadium... |
March 13, 2009 | May 3, 2009 | 8 | 0 |
| FW | Sam Williams Sam Williams (footballer) Sam Williams is an English footballer who plays for Dagenham & Redbridge.-Career:Naturally a defensive midfielder before the start of the 2005–06 season, Williams took straight into the role of an attacker, after injuries to strikers... |
Colchester United | November 3, 2008 | November 30, 2008 | 3 | 1 |
| FW | Sam Williams Sam Williams (footballer) Sam Williams is an English footballer who plays for Dagenham & Redbridge.-Career:Naturally a defensive midfielder before the start of the 2005–06 season, Williams took straight into the role of an attacker, after injuries to strikers... |
Walsall Walsall F.C. Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second... |
January 30, 2009 | February 26, 2009 | 5 | 1 |
| FW | Sam Williams Sam Williams (footballer) Sam Williams is an English footballer who plays for Dagenham & Redbridge.-Career:Naturally a defensive midfielder before the start of the 2005–06 season, Williams took straight into the role of an attacker, after injuries to strikers... |
Brentford Brentford F.C. Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One.... |
March 9, 2009 | May 2, 2009 | 3 | 1 |
Overall
- Premier League: Sixth
- League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
: Third Round (Knocked out by Q.P.R.Queens Park Rangers F.C.Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
) - FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
: Fifth Round (Knocked out by EvertonEverton F.C.Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
) - UEFA Intertoto CupUEFA Intertoto CupThe UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for European clubs that had not qualified for one of the two major UEFA competitions, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. The competition was discontinued...
: N/A - UEFA CupUEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
: Round of 32 (Knocked out by CSKA Moscow)
The 2008–09 season was Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
'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
Martin O'Neill
Martin Hugh Michael O'Neill, OBE, is a Northern Irish football manager and former player.Until resigning the post on 9 August 2010, he was manager of Aston Villa. Starting his career in his native Northern Ireland, O'Neill moved to England where he spent most of his playing career with Nottingham...
– in his third season since replacing David O'Leary
David O'Leary
David Anthony O'Leary is an Irish football manager and former player. His managerial career began at Leeds United and later he managed Aston Villa. He most recently worked as the manager of Al-Ahli Dubai...
. The 2008–09 season was the first spell in European competition
UEFA Intertoto Cup 2008
The 2008 UEFA Intertoto Cup was the last UEFA Intertoto Cup football tournament, the 14th to be organised by UEFA and the third since the competition's format was given a major overhaul. Three rounds were held, and eleven teams qualified for the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup. The draw...
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
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
centre-back, Curtis Davies
Curtis Davies
Curtis Eugene Davies is an English professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Birmingham City. Davies has previously played for Luton Town, where he began his career, West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa and Leicester City....
, in July, while their first sale was made in May, as Luke Moore
Luke Moore
Luke Moore is an English football striker who currently plays for Swansea City. Moore has represented England at U21 level and is the younger brother of fellow former professional footballer, Stefan Moore.-Aston Villa:...
completed a move to West Brom
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
in an initial £3 million deal, after he had spent the second half of the 2007–08 season
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
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
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
and finishing the season at home to Newcastle
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
. Due to Birmingham
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
's relegation at the end of the 2007–08 season, there was no "second-city" derby
Birmingham derby
In English football, the Second City derby is the local derby between the two major clubs in the city of Birmingham, England – Aston Villa and Birmingham City....
, however they faced local rivals West Brom on 20 September 2008 at The Hawthorns
The Hawthorns
The Hawthorns is an all-seater football stadium in West Bromwich, Sandwell, England, with a capacity of 26,484. It has been the home of West Bromwich Albion F.C. since 1900, when it became the sixth ground to be used by the club. The ground was the last Football League ground to be built in the...
and on 10 January 2009 at home.
Squad
(Retired during the playing season)
(Loaned to Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
during the playing season)
(Signed from Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
during the playing season)
(Transferred to Q.P.R.
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
during the playing season)
(Loaned to Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
during the playing season)
(Transferred to Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
during the playing season)
(Loaned to Swansea City during the playing season)
(Loaned to Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
during the playing season)
Summer
Defender Curtis DaviesCurtis Davies
Curtis Eugene Davies is an English professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Birmingham City. Davies has previously played for Luton Town, where he began his career, West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa and Leicester City....
signed a permanent deal at Aston Villa after a loan spell. English midfielder Steve Sidwell
Steve Sidwell
Steven James "Steve" Sidwell is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Fulham in the Premier League. His previous clubs include Arsenal, Reading, Chelsea and Aston Villa.-Arsenal:...
joined from Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
on 10 July 2008. On 26 July 2008, former USA
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
shot-stopper Brad Friedel
Brad Friedel
Bradley Howard Friedel is an American soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League....
signed from Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee, thought to be £2million. On 7 August 2008 Aston Villa completed the signing of Nicky Shorey
Nicky Shorey
Nicholas "Nicky" Robert Shorey is an English footballer who currently plays for West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League as a left-back.-Leyton Orient:...
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
Carlos Cuéllar
Carlos Javier Cuéllar Jiménez is a Spanish footballer who plays for Aston Villa. He is primarily a central defender, but can also operate as a right-back.-Early career:...
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
Luke Moore
Luke Moore is an English football striker who currently plays for Swansea City. Moore has represented England at U21 level and is the younger brother of fellow former professional footballer, Stefan Moore.-Aston Villa:...
made his loan move to West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
a permanent deal Defender Olof Mellberg
Olof Mellberg
Erik Olof Mellberg is a Swedish international footballer currently playing for Olympiacos in the Greek Superleague. He generally plays as a central defender or right-back.-Early years:...
left the club to sign for Italian giants Juventus after seven years at Aston Villa. Thomas Sørensen
Thomas Sørensen
Thomas Løvendahl Sørensen is a Danish professional football goalkeeper, who plays for Premier League club Stoke City. He has previously represented Premiership teams Sunderland and Aston Villa....
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
FC Vaduz
FC Vaduz is a Liechtenstein football club from Vaduz, that play in the Swiss Football League. The club plays at the national Rheinpark Stadion, which has a capacity of 6,127 when all seated but has additional standing places in the North and South ends of the ground, giving a total stadium capacity...
in Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein
The Principality of Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked alpine country in Central Europe, bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and by Austria to the east. Its area is just over , and it has an estimated population of 35,000. Its capital is Vaduz. The biggest town is Schaan...
, whilst Yago joined Swiss side FC St. Gallen
FC St. Gallen
Football Club St. Gallen 1879 is a Swiss football club based in St. Gallen. The club is currently playing in the 2011/12 Swiss Challenge League.-Brief history:...
. Elsewhere, Irish youngster Danny Earls
Danny Earls
Danny Earls is an Irish footballer who is currently playing for Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-Europe:...
joined American USL
USL
USL may refer to:Arts and entertainment* Underground Sound of Lisbon, a Portuguese dance music project* Urban Strawberry Lunch, a Band from LiverpoolComputing* Universal Systems Language, a language for system engineering and software development...
team Rochester Rhinos, and defender Erik Lund
Erik Lund (footballer)
Erik Lund is a professional footballer who currently plays for IFK Göteborg in the Allsvenskan.Lund began his career at Ljungskile SK, before signing for Aston Villa on 1 July 2005...
returned home to join IFK Göteborg
IFK Göteborg
IFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups....
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
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
in August 2007. Shaun Maloney
Shaun Maloney
Shaun Richard Maloney is a Scottish footballer who plays for English club Wigan Athletic in the Premier League and for the Scotland national team. He plays on either Wing or as a Striker and occasionally as an Attacking Midfielder...
was the last to leave the club in the summer transfer window, returning to Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
after a frustrating spell under Martin O'Neill
Martin O'Neill
Martin Hugh Michael O'Neill, OBE, is a Northern Irish football manager and former player.Until resigning the post on 9 August 2010, he was manager of Aston Villa. Starting his career in his native Northern Ireland, O'Neill moved to England where he spent most of his playing career with Nottingham...
.
In
| July 3, 2008 | DF | Curtis Davies Curtis Davies Curtis Eugene Davies is an English professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Birmingham City. Davies has previously played for Luton Town, where he began his career, West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa and Leicester City.... |
West Bromwich Albion West Bromwich Albion F.C. West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands... |
Undisclosed |
| July 10, 2008 | MF | Steve Sidwell Steve Sidwell Steven James "Steve" Sidwell is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Fulham in the Premier League. His previous clubs include Arsenal, Reading, Chelsea and Aston Villa.-Arsenal:... |
Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... |
£5m |
| July 26, 2008 | GK | Brad Friedel Brad Friedel Bradley Howard Friedel is an American soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.... |
Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Rovers F.C. Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.... |
Undisclosed |
| August 1, 2008 | GK | Brad Guzan Brad Guzan Bradley Edwin "Brad" Guzan is an American soccer player who plays for Aston Villa of the Premier League.-Early Career:... |
Chivas USA | Undisclosed |
| August 7, 2008 | DF | Nicky Shorey Nicky Shorey Nicholas "Nicky" Robert Shorey is an English footballer who currently plays for West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League as a left-back.-Leyton Orient:... |
Reading Reading F.C. Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship... |
Undisclosed |
| August 7, 2008 | DF | Luke Young |
Middlesbrough Middlesbrough F.C. Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889... |
£6m |
| August 12, 2008 | DF | Carlos Cuéllar Carlos Cuéllar Carlos Javier Cuéllar Jiménez is a Spanish footballer who plays for Aston Villa. He is primarily a central defender, but can also operate as a right-back.-Early career:... |
Rangers Rangers F.C. Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses... |
£7.8m |
| August 29, 2008 | MF | James Milner James Milner Milner was described as a "first class" student at his school; he left with 11 GCSEs and an award for his performance in physical education. Milner also showed talent in cricket, sprinting and long-distance running... |
Newcastle Newcastle United F.C. Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger... |
£12m |
Out
| Date | Pos. | Name | To | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 28, 2008 | FW | Luke Moore Luke Moore Luke Moore is an English football striker who currently plays for Swansea City. Moore has represented England at U21 level and is the younger brother of fellow former professional footballer, Stefan Moore.-Aston Villa:... |
West Brom West Bromwich Albion F.C. West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands... |
£3m |
| May 29, 2008 | MF | Patrik Berger Patrik Berger Patrik Berger is a retired Czech footballer. He has played in Czech Republic, Germany, and England. He is best remembered for his time at Liverpool.... |
Sparta Prague | Free |
| July 1, 2008 | DF | Olof Mellberg Olof Mellberg Erik Olof Mellberg is a Swedish international footballer currently playing for Olympiacos in the Greek Superleague. He generally plays as a central defender or right-back.-Early years:... |
Juventus | Free |
| July 1, 2008 | GK | Thomas Sørensen Thomas Sørensen Thomas Løvendahl Sørensen is a Danish professional football goalkeeper, who plays for Premier League club Stoke City. He has previously represented Premiership teams Sunderland and Aston Villa.... |
Stoke City | Free |
| July 1, 2008 | MF | Yagó Bellón Yagó Bellón Yagó Bellón is a Swiss association footballer of Spanish descent. He currently plays for FC Kreuzlingen.Primarily right-footed, Bellón can operate in midfield or as a full-back... |
FC St. Gallen FC St. Gallen Football Club St. Gallen 1879 is a Swiss football club based in St. Gallen. The club is currently playing in the 2011/12 Swiss Challenge League.-Brief history:... |
Free |
| July 1, 2008 | MF | Damian Bellón Damian Bellón Damian Bellón is a Swiss footballer, who currently is an free agent.- Career :Damian moved on 11 July 2006 with his twin brother Yagó Bellón from FC St. Gallen to Aston Villa... |
FC Vaduz FC Vaduz FC Vaduz is a Liechtenstein football club from Vaduz, that play in the Swiss Football League. The club plays at the national Rheinpark Stadion, which has a capacity of 6,127 when all seated but has additional standing places in the North and South ends of the ground, giving a total stadium capacity... |
Free |
| July 1, 2008 | DF | Erik Lund Erik Lund (footballer) Erik Lund is a professional footballer who currently plays for IFK Göteborg in the Allsvenskan.Lund began his career at Ljungskile SK, before signing for Aston Villa on 1 July 2005... |
IFK Göteborg IFK Göteborg IFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups.... |
Free |
| July 1, 2008 | MF | Danny Earls Danny Earls Danny Earls is an Irish footballer who is currently playing for Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-Europe:... |
Rochester Rhinos | Free |
| August 22, 2008 | FW | Shaun Maloney Shaun Maloney Shaun Richard Maloney is a Scottish footballer who plays for English club Wigan Athletic in the Premier League and for the Scotland national team. He plays on either Wing or as a Striker and occasionally as an Attacking Midfielder... |
Celtic Celtic F.C. Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the... |
Undisclosed |
Winter
On 2 January 2009, Wayne RoutledgeWayne Routledge
Wayne Neville Anthony Routledge is an English footballer who plays for Swansea City. He plays as a midfielder predominantly on the right wing but can also play on the left. He has represented England at under-16, under-19 and under-21 level...
signed a 3 and a half year deal with Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
, following a loan spell at fellow Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
club Cardiff City
Cardiff city
Cardiff City may refer to:* Cardiff city centre* Cardiff City Council* Cardiff City F.C.* Cardiff City L.F.C.* Cardiff City Stadium...
. Villa confirmed their first signing of the window four days later, in the form of 17-year-old Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
defender Arsenio Halfhuid from SBV Excelsior, who signed for an undisclosed fee. On 23 January 2009, Emile Heskey
Emile Heskey
Emile William Ivanhoe Heskey is an English footballer who plays for Aston Villa as a striker.Born in Leicester, Heskey started his career with hometown club Leicester City after progressing through their youth system, making his first team debut in 1995...
followed, signing for £3.5 million from Wigan Athletic. Young winger Zoltán Stieber
Zoltán Stieber
Zoltán Stieber is a Hungarian professional footballer who currently plays for Bundesliga side FSV Mainz 05 and the Hungary national football team....
was the final player to leave Villa Park
Villa Park
Villa Park may mean:United Kingdom* Villa Park, an association football stadium in Birmingham, EnglandUnited States* Villa Park, California, a small city in Orange County* Villa Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in DuPage County...
during January, as he signed for TuS Koblenz
TuS Koblenz
TuS Koblenz is a German association football club, located in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate. Fussball Club Deutschland Neuendorf, which was formed in 1911, is viewed as the foundation of the modern club.-Play under the Third Reich:...
for an undisclosed fee, after failing to break into the first-team. Swiss U17 goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist also signed from FC Basel
FC Basel
Fussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the...
during this month.
In
| Date | Pos. | Name | From | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 7, 2009 | DF | Arsenio Halfhuid Aston Villa F.C. Reserves and Academy Aston Villa Reserves are the reserve team of Aston Villa, they have been part of the FA Premier Reserve League since its foundation in 1999 and are current holders of the Premier Reserve League South title. The team plays its home games at Villa Park - during the months of Autumn and Spring - and... |
Excelsior | Undisclosed |
| January 15, 2009 | GK | Benjamin Siegrist |
FC Basel FC Basel Fussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the... |
Undisclosed |
| January 23, 2009 | FW | Emile Heskey Emile Heskey Emile William Ivanhoe Heskey is an English footballer who plays for Aston Villa as a striker.Born in Leicester, Heskey started his career with hometown club Leicester City after progressing through their youth system, making his first team debut in 1995... |
Wigan Athletic Wigan Athletic F.C. Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW... |
£3.5m |
Out
| Date | Pos. | Name | To | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2, 2009 | MF | Wayne Routledge Wayne Routledge Wayne Neville Anthony Routledge is an English footballer who plays for Swansea City. He plays as a midfielder predominantly on the right wing but can also play on the left. He has represented England at under-16, under-19 and under-21 level... |
Queens Park Rangers Queens Park Rangers F.C. Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years... |
Undisclosed |
| January 29, 2009 | MF | Zoltán Stieber Zoltán Stieber Zoltán Stieber is a Hungarian professional footballer who currently plays for Bundesliga side FSV Mainz 05 and the Hungary national football team.... |
TuS Koblenz TuS Koblenz TuS Koblenz is a German association football club, located in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate. Fussball Club Deutschland Neuendorf, which was formed in 1911, is viewed as the foundation of the modern club.-Play under the Third Reich:... |
Free |
Out on loan
| Pos | Player | To | Start | End | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MF | Barry Bannan Barry Bannan Barry Bannan is a Scottish professional footballer who plays for English Premier League club Aston Villa. He plays as a midfielder and is a Scotland full international, and also represented under-21 and B levels... |
Derby County Derby County F.C. Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English... |
March 13, 2009 | April 13, 2009 | 10 | 1 |
| GK | David Bevan | Tamworth Tamworth F.C. Tamworth Football Club are an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Nicknamed 'The Lambs', they are currently members of the Conference National, the fifth highest tier in the English league system.... |
September 23, 2008 | December 20, 2008 | 12 | 0 |
| FW | Marlon Harewood Marlon Harewood Marlon Anderson Harewood is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Guangzhou R&F in China.Harewood started his career at Nottingham Forest. During his career there, he had loan spells at Haka and Ipswich Town before joining West Ham United in 2003 and then Aston Villa in 2007... |
Wolves | March 23, 2009 | May 3, 2009 | 5 | 0 |
| DF | Stephen O'Halloran Stephen O'Halloran Stephen Edward O'Halloran is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Carlisle United in League One, the third tier of English football. He began his professional career in the Premier League with Aston Villa and earned two full international caps for the Republic of Ireland in... |
Swansea City | November 5, 2008 | December 14, 2008 | 3 | 0 |
| MF | Isaiah Osbourne |
Nottingham Forest | March 2, 2009 | May 3, 2009 | 8 | 0 |
| GK | Stuart Taylor |
Cardiff City Cardiff city Cardiff City may refer to:* Cardiff city centre* Cardiff City Council* Cardiff City F.C.* Cardiff City L.F.C.* Cardiff City Stadium... |
March 13, 2009 | May 3, 2009 | 8 | 0 |
| FW | Sam Williams Sam Williams (footballer) Sam Williams is an English footballer who plays for Dagenham & Redbridge.-Career:Naturally a defensive midfielder before the start of the 2005–06 season, Williams took straight into the role of an attacker, after injuries to strikers... |
Colchester United | November 3, 2008 | November 30, 2008 | 3 | 1 |
| FW | Sam Williams Sam Williams (footballer) Sam Williams is an English footballer who plays for Dagenham & Redbridge.-Career:Naturally a defensive midfielder before the start of the 2005–06 season, Williams took straight into the role of an attacker, after injuries to strikers... |
Walsall Walsall F.C. Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second... |
January 30, 2009 | February 26, 2009 | 5 | 1 |
| FW | Sam Williams Sam Williams (footballer) Sam Williams is an English footballer who plays for Dagenham & Redbridge.-Career:Naturally a defensive midfielder before the start of the 2005–06 season, Williams took straight into the role of an attacker, after injuries to strikers... |
Brentford Brentford F.C. Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One.... |
March 9, 2009 | May 2, 2009 | 3 | 1 |
Overall
- Premier League: Sixth
- League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
: Third Round (Knocked out by Q.P.R.Queens Park Rangers F.C.Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
) - FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
: Fifth Round (Knocked out by EvertonEverton F.C.Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
) - UEFA Intertoto CupUEFA Intertoto CupThe UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for European clubs that had not qualified for one of the two major UEFA competitions, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. The competition was discontinued...
: N/A - UEFA CupUEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
: Round of 32 (Knocked out by CSKA Moscow)